RBS and Banks in General

RevTheory

Hi.

i have an barclays account for my bills and i have a RBS Basic account for my spending money. i though it was great but a few weeks ago i got a text saying my new RBS card is on its ways. rung them to find they had upgraded me to silver account which i dont want. now they wont do anything other then say your on a good account so pay us for it.

i dont want to be in a bank which does that and i want to switch away but every bank i speak too decline me even for a basic account now.

what can i do?

grumbler

Open a second account with Barclays if you really need separate accounts.

DCFC79

Bit weird they upgraded you when you didnt do it yourself.

Why not put a complaint in about the upgrade ?

pqrdef

RevTheory wrote: »

every bank i speak too decline me even for a basic account now.

RBS have probably figured that out from your credit file and are trying to take advantage.

They can't sell you something you don't want. But they can threaten to close your account.

Co-op Cashminder is supposed to be the easiest basic account to get. But you have to manage it carefully as they don't forgive sins.

System

I wouldn't complain - I would write a thank you letter.

RBS have 'upgraded' you to a fee based product without your consent - write to say thanks that they are giving your extra goodies for free as the your account detailed in your agreement is fee free

DCFC79 wrote: »

Bit weird they upgraded you when you didnt do it yourself.

Why not put a complaint in about the upgrade ?

stclair

RevTheory wrote: »

Hi.

i have an barclays account for my bills and i have a RBS Basic account for my spending money. i though it was great but a few weeks ago i got a text saying my new RBS card is on its ways. rung them to find they had upgraded me to silver account which i dont want. now they wont do anything other then say your on a good account so pay us for it.

i dont want to be in a bank which does that and i want to switch away but every bank i speak too decline me even for a basic account now.

what can i do?

Alls you have to do is visit a branch and tell them you want your account to remain the same

You normally get a letter in advance when your account is being upgraded to give you time to opt out.

opinions4u

stclair wrote: »

You normally get a letter in advance when your account is being upgraded to give you time to opt out.

Are you saying they select customers for an upgrade and drop them a line requiring an opt-out?

I find that very poor if true.

stclair

opinions4u wrote: »

Are you saying they select customers for an upgrade and drop them a line requiring an opt-out?

I find that very poor if true.

Yeah most banks do it Barclays did it to me a while back said they was upgrading account and if I didn't want it to happen sign the form enclosed and send it back to them.

JuicyJesus

stclair wrote: »

Yeah most banks do it Barclays did it to me a while back said they was upgrading account and if I didn't want it to happen sign the form enclosed and send it back to them.

Upgrading to a fee paying account without the customers' consent is very sharp practise. And if it's a fee paying account with insurance included then it's against regulations, since no assessment of the customer's needs or eligibility will have taken place.

"Very poor if true" doesn't really cover it.

stclair

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Upgrading to a fee paying account without the customers' account is very sharp practise. And if it's a fee paying account with insurance included then it's against regulations, since no assessment of the customer's needs or eligibility will have taken place.

"Very poor if true" doesn't really cover it.

I think that's why in the letter it gives the option to opt out.

7.3 Conversion

7.3.1 We can convert your current account to another current account in our range. We will only do this if:
(a) we have a valid reason for converting your account; and
(b) we give you notice not less than 60 days before we convert it.
We will convert your account after the expiry of our notice unless in the meantime you have given us written notice that you wish to close your existing account. For a further 30 days from the date on which we convert your account, you may close the account (or switch to any other account we are willing to provide to you) without loss of interest or additional charges.

innovate

JuicyJesus wrote: »

"Very poor if true" doesn't really cover it.

"Scandalous" would be more appropriate.

Should be brought to the attention of the FCA. It strikes me that upgrading to a chargeable product would fall under the "unfair contract" regulation and can be reported using the unfair contracts reporting form.
http://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/protect-yourself/unfair-contracts/reporting-form