Issues with Santander

airman1232

Hi Guys,

I am having an issue with Santander, I asked for the account to be closed on March 2012, despite being told by the agent that this would be done, it turns out the account was not closed because there was .68p left in the account.

I myself have made no transactions since the 24 of March - When I requested the account to be closed. In November there was a year DD requested from the bank account naturally there was no funds in there and resulted in charges etc, yesterday I opened a letter saying I am about £300 worth of charges.

Called the bank and spoke to their collections dept, explained to them that I asked for the account to be closed and that I had not used the account since March 2012 - However they didn't want to listen, they insisted that this was not true and that the charges were valid, and I would get a letter saying they charges stand and the complaint closed, if I was not happy to contact the FOS.

Is anyone able to offer any advice?

dunstonh

An account cannot be closed with a balance on it. The direct debit was unfortunate but unless you cancelled the direct debit then there hasnt really be any wrong doing. You will be reliant on their goodwill and it appears that they have none. Your only option now it to complaint to the FOS and hope they are feeling particularly sympathetic. Although they no longer rule on bank charges as being unfair. So, you would hope your evidence is strong enough to persuade them of a wrong doing by Santander.

never_waz

On a similar tip to the initial post, I too have an issue with Santander.
I emigrated to Australia in January 2012, and before leaving took my account to a zero balance with the intention of informing them and shutting the account. Unfortunately I forgot for several months due to trying to sort my life out in a foreign country.
When I did get around to checking it, they had applied several charges to the balance (I did not realise, but my account had a fee if my wages were not paid into it each month). A couple of transactions had also occurred without my knowledge, and 1 AA direct debit which I had cancelled, but the AA did not.
I informed Santander of the issue with the account and the transactions that were not mine. I arranged with the AA to re-imburse the account (and a small amount extra for my trouble). However Santander sent out the stock response that the charges were part of my account fees, and a note regarding security of my cash card.
I again sent them a note to explain that I would not be returning to the UK, and it seemed silly that all of the overdrawn account was down to their charges. They have again given me the stock reply and suggested I speak to the Ombudsman.
Any advice?

Wywth

never_waz wrote: »

On a similar tip to the initial post, I too have an issue with Santander.
I emigrated to Australia in January 2012, and before leaving took my account to a zero balance with the intention of informing them and shutting the account. Unfortunately I forgot for several months due to trying to sort my life out in a foreign country.
When I did get around to checking it, they had applied several charges to the balance (I did not realise, but my account had a fee if my wages were not paid into it each month). A couple of transactions had also occurred without my knowledge, and 1 AA direct debit which I had cancelled, but the AA did not.
I informed Santander of the issue with the account and the transactions that were not mine. I arranged with the AA to re-imburse the account (and a small amount extra for my trouble). However Santander sent out the stock response that the charges were part of my account fees, and a note regarding security of my cash card.
I again sent them a note to explain that I would not be returning to the UK, and it seemed silly that all of the overdrawn account was down to their charges. They have again given me the stock reply and suggested I speak to the Ombudsman.
Any advice?

Remember that you are fully covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee relating to an unauthorised or incorrect Direct Debit Transactions.

Make a claim to your bank, including consequential loss (bank charges) as appropriate.

airman1232

Hi Guys,

Forgot to update this thread, I got all the charges written off. Called and asked for complaints and got a great friendly agent who said because I had been with them 10+ years and never had any issues. They did it as a good will.

Essentially it will still go on my credit file but I didn't have to pay any charges.