Bank claims I'm deceased - obviously I'm not

William_Isiaah

I have a current account with Halifax, which I have stopped using for my wages to be paid into a couple of months ago, although I haven't closed it as yet.
I thought that I had informed all my direct debits, etc of my new bank details, but a couple seemed to slip through (not too unreasonable).
However, Halifax have written to the companies in question, informing them that I am deceased. Obviously this is not the case, but have Halifax done anything illegal, as this is causing me a certain amount of grief from the companies in question, as it might appear that I am attempting to commit fraud

dalesrider

I would be asking them where they got the information that you were deceased....

Not sure why they would inform the companies that you were dead.

Is this a case that Halifax have returned the DD's to the companies as unpaid (no funds) and what has happened is when returned a reason for rejection is selected and someone has slipped and selected the wrong reason.

Only way to find out is to talk to halifax.

BASFORDLAD

You may need to check your credit file because they may have informed them as well that your are brown bread!

InsideInsurance

William_Isiaah wrote: »

have Halifax done anything illegal

You think they should go to prison for incorrectly stating you're deceased?

Raise a complaint, outline the issues you've had due their error and state how you want them to fix it.

You will receive an apology, a cheque for compensation and an explanation that it was a "processing error"

Chrisblue1962

Go into your local Halifax branch and ask to speak to somebody about Mr <your forename> <your surname> 's account as you are aware that Halifax believe this person is now sadly deceased. When they ask your name, give them your name and watch their faces :rotfl:

Agricolae

When a bank returns a direct debit they use the standard Bacs reason codes. If a company tries to claim from an account which has been switched to another bank/branch, the operator of the old account sends back a message (paraphrased):

Direct Debit Cancelled - Reason Code 3 - Payer has switched accounts to <sort code> <account number> - Please claim from new account details (or contact payer if no details provided).

Now, it should never have got to the stage where the company is trying to claim from the old details (although sometimes they do due to admin errors in their accounts departments). This is because when someone switches their accounts the bank cancels their direct debits with reason code 3 and this sends the above message to each company.

However, if the person keying the cancellation has selected reason code 2 the company would not have received the new account details and will assume they are the same - they will get a message back advising them that the payer is deceased if they try to claim.

As 2 and 3 are next to each other on the keyboard this is very likely what has happened. It's not illegal but it is an inconvenient clerical error.

By the way the same system is used by all banks - reason codes are standard for payments routed via Bacs.

innovate

Agricolae wrote: »

However, if the person keying the cancellation has selected reason code 2 the company would not have received the new account details and will assume they are the same - they will get a message back advising them that the payer is deceased if they try to claim..

I am not sure I can follow any of the above.

Are you saying that if someone in a bank (for whatever reason) types a 2 rather than a 3 (or the other way round, or what have you) I am dead even if I am alive?

[Deleted User]

Just to check, you're SURE you're not dead?

I mean, you know, it's always good to double-check these things.

Agricolae

innovate wrote: »

I am not sure I can follow any of the above.

Are you saying that if someone in a bank (for whatever reason) types a 2 rather than a 3 (or the other way round, or what have you) I am dead even if I am alive?

If anyone tries to claim on that direct debit instruction then that is what they will be advised by Bacs, yes. The intention (I believe) is so companies stop claiming direct debits on the accounts of genuinely dead people and instead contact whoever is managing their estate if they have an outstanding debt.

Full(ish) list of codes here:
http://www.smartdebit.co.uk/auddis-reason-codes/

jonesMUFCforever

innovate wrote: »

I am not sure I can follow any of the above.

Are you saying that if someone in a bank (for whatever reason) types a 2 rather than a 3 (or the other way round, or what have you) I am dead even if I am alive?

When cancelling a direct debit the system asks why - 2 of the reasons being customer request and customer deceased.
Obviously in this case someone has pressed the wrong button.

innovate

Agricolae wrote: »

If anyone tries to claim on that direct debit instruction then that is what they will be advised by Bacs, yes. The intention (I believe) is so companies stop claiming direct debits on the accounts of genuinely dead people and instead contact whoever is managing their estate if they have an outstanding debt.

Full(ish) list of codes here:
http://www.smartdebit.co.uk/auddis-reason-codes/

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

When cancelling a direct debit the system asks why - 2 of the reasons being customer request and customer deceased.
Obviously in this case someone has pressed the wrong button.

If it was up to you, would you let the bank employee who declared you dead survive?