Stung by halifax web saver reward scam. Advice?

Dr_Cuckoo3

helifox

BlindLeadingTheBlind wrote: »

Others have obviously been similarly misled otherwise why so many changes to the information surrounding the account?

Look up online Jo Thornhill article: Beware catch on Halifax online savings account - one wrong click and your rate drops 0.25% july 3 2011

opinions4u

I am quite impressed at the OP's methodical approach here.

I opened the Web Saver Reward via online banking and recall making sure I didn't select the card option. So something prompted me but I can't recall exactly what.

The fact that an element of care was needed in opening suggests that the product design or screen flows were not ideal. That said I suspect the overwhelming majority of customers navigated through to 2.80% with success.

I would also suggest with absolute confidence that it's no scam. There is no deliberate attempt to mislead.

atush

jem16 wrote: »

Why don't you post the website details with some parts changed like dots to spaces? Someone else can then turn it into a proper link.

Helifox, everyone has based their opinions on the non logged in Acct info as shown by others. It may be me alone who believed you it was different in your case. so do post the info required for someone to find the original info as you found it (ie customers logged on thru their internet banking ).

I had this problem with HSBC which has different links for current customers/new customers with conflicting or different information so I can easily see it happening at another bank.

helifox

opinions4u wrote: »

I am quite impressed at the OP's methodical approach here.

I opened the Web Saver Reward via online banking and recall making sure I didn't select the card option. So something prompted me but I can't recall exactly what.

The fact that an element of care was needed in opening suggests that the product design or screen flows were not ideal. That said I suspect the overwhelming majority of customers navigated through to 2.80% with success.

I would also suggest with absolute confidence that it's no scam. There is no deliberate attempt to mislead.

Over time Halifax have given me the impression that very little they do is deliberate. They seem merely to bounce from disaster to disaster.

Dr_Cuckoo3

opinions4u wrote: »

I opened the Web Saver Reward via online banking and recall making sure I didn't select the card option. So something prompted me but I can't recall exactly what.

unnecessary clutter ?

would you order a cheque book on a current account used purely for savings (due to the current account interest rate being higher than savings accounts) ?

Archi_Bald

helifox wrote: »

Here you go. www%inkthing%net/halifux%jpg
Replace the % with .

Thanks for that link. It's quite difficult to read in this representation but I do remember filling this form in myself (to get the 2.8% Reward Saver).

I honestly don't understand what your issue is. It is a simple enough form, and right in the top section they told you that you should not request a card if you want the Reward Saver.

You wanted the Reward Saver, but you requested the card because you said your "Mum liked the idea". So you decided to simply ignore the "IMPORTANT" notice from Halifax, and now you want to blame Halifax for your decision? Why didn't you instead ask Halifax whether your mum could have both, the Reward Saver and a card before deciding you can ignore what they say on the form?

helifox wrote: »

..... but am beginning to suspect that Halifax pay people to write replies to these threads...some of the responses are so bizarre.

LOL, this is the standard comment on this forum from people who don't like what they hear. I can't speak for others but I have never worked for Halifax, or any other financial institution.

helifox

atush wrote: »

Helifox, everyone has based their opinions on the non logged in Acct info as shown by others. It may be me alone who believed you it was different in your case. so do post the info required for someone to find the original info as you found it (ie customers logged on thru their internet banking ).

I had this problem with HSBC which has different links for current customers/new customers with conflicting or different information so I can easily see it happening at another bank.

I can't find any way to see that stuff - nor to find the original banner advert. At the third attempt, Halifax customer services finally sent me the application version I have now managed to post via Cuckoo_3. the banner they never sent, and have now definitively refused to, saying they 'can't'. Customer Services also say that the complaint is exhausted, that they are bound by the FO's decision ( even though the FO says they aren't - and they sent misleading information to the FO, that he based his decision on...) and that they won't speak to me any more. hmm? Result?

helifox

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Thanks for that link. It's quite difficult to read in this representation but I do remember filling this form in myself (to get the 2.8% Reward Saver).

I honestly don't understand what your issue is. It is a simple enough form, and right in the top section they told you that you should not request a card if you want the Reward Saver.

My issue is that the type in the banner saying 2.8% was clear. I clicked to apply for 2.8%. That is what I expected to get. Admittedly I should have read everything on the screen - but I thought I was following clear instructions. I was in rather a hurry, and alternating between doing on-line banking and dealing with a partially demented 88 year old.

You wanted the Reward Saver, but you requested the card because you said your "Mum liked the idea". So you decided to simply ignore the "IMPORTANT" notice from Halifax, and now you want to blame Halifax for your decision? Why didn't you instead ask Halifax whether your mum could have both, the Reward Saver and a card before deciding you can ignore what they say on the form?

I didn't ask Halifax, because whenever I phoned them, they consistently told me that I didn't exist on the account for telephone banking, despite having set up telephone banking on 4 separate occasions.

LOL, this is the standard comment on this forum from people who don't like what they hear. I can't speak for others but I have never worked for Halifax, or any other financial institution.

I can understand why people say it. Its not that I like or don't like - I just find the kow-tow corporate compliance remarkable.

Giving you a little extra help...

Dr_Cuckoo3

The OP's complaint appears on the Financial Ombudsman website

http://www.ombudsman-decisions.org.uk/viewPDF.aspx?FileID=10785