Disaster with Santander, need advice!

innovate

OP, you need to talk to Halifax immediately because you still owe them £3K. Best explain exactly what happened and ask them politely whether they would open a current account for you again, or whether they'd let you repay the money in a loan.

Don't wait until they contact you.

danthemoneysavingman

I suggested:

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

What happens with your halifax account if you DON'T settle the OD in the 30 day period? Worth checking into this I would suggest.

Did you look into this?

Hooloovoo

Do Santander force you to initiate the switch process at the same time as applying for an account?

Usually you wait until the account is fully activated to your satisfaction before then initiating a switch from another bank.

I do find it rather odd that Santander will initiate a switch before first determining if you are happy to accept the terms they are offering you. But then again, this is Santander ...

Archi_Bald

Hooloovoo wrote: »

Do Santander force you to initiate the switch process at the same time as applying for an account?

There's no "forcing" involved, it's the same with all banks who are part of that 7-day switching offer, so literally all of them. You are being asked during the application whether you want to use the switcher service, or if you start asking for the switcher service, you then get taken through the application process for a new account.

Hanky_Panky

It's also worth noting that Halifax could have called in your overdraft at anytime anyway and a very good reason for them to do this would be if they got wind of you trying to apply for other accounts.

In your situation I would be on the phone to Halifax trying to come to some arrangement to pay off the overdraft over an agreed period rather than trying to blame Santander - focus your energy where it will have the greatest effect. You could waste ages trying to prove a point and just screw up your credit rating royally (although I think you've already done that anyway) and find yourself with a whole host more charges.

matttye

dessler wrote: »

Well I know that, but it shouldn't be in 'Very Poor'. Pointless me complaining about it but if I have a history of good credit (ie. I pay companies always, I pay fees always, never ever defaulted in my life except Virgin), I don't see why it should be 'Very Poor'. Three of it is the overdraft I'm trying to be a good boy and move and reduce, one is a disagreement with a company about a bill, and the other two are just trivial technicalities!

Sorry but you need a reality check.

You've defaulted on a credit account and you live in your overdraft. 'Very poor' is about right.

'Never ever defaulted in my life except Virgin'

- do you realise the significance of a default? They're one of the worst things you can have on your credit report and they make people not want to lend to you.

Personally I would pay a disputed bill and then fight rather than risk a default these days, and I would make sure the company have it in writing that I've only paid it to prevent adverse information on my credit file pending an appeal.

silverbanana

Hanky_Panky wrote: »

It's also worth noting that Halifax could have called in your overdraft at anytime anyway and a very good reason for them to do this would be if they got wind of you trying to apply for other accounts.

In your situation I would be on the phone to Halifax trying to come to some arrangement to pay off the overdraft over an agreed period rather than trying to blame Santander - focus your energy where it will have the greatest effect. You could waste ages trying to prove a point and just screw up your credit rating royally (although I think you've already done that anyway) and find yourself with a whole host more charges.

I've not screwed up my credit report at all. I have one £100 default for Virgin Media and a STUDENT overdraft.

The point is I have thousands of pounds coming in my account each month anyway and would've only took 5 months to clear the overdraft.

So whatever.

25 innit!

silverbanana

BMN wrote: »

It is a result of your own actions though.

Whether they give you an arranged overdraft is dependent on your circumstances. It certainly isn't guaranteed and this is clearly communicated.

Where did you hear about the "Overdraft Matching Service". Do Santander even use this terminology?

Yes! On the Experian website when I got my credit report, I was encouraged to apply for this overdraft.

I took screenshots + print-outs and will send them to the ASA! Targeting the vulnerable, shame on them.

innovate

Never mind reporting something harmless to the ASA - have you sorted out the settlement of your debt at Halifax?

Herbalus

dessler wrote: »

I've not screwed up my credit report at all. I have one £100 default for Virgin Media

These statements contradict each other. A default means that every company, including Santander, can see that you had a bill that you didn't pay. That means they're not likely to want you as a customer, and Santander probably don't want you owing them £3000.

That's why your credit report is in a bad shape, or "screwed up" if you prefer.