Abbey National screwed up again.

Sagaris

Well guess what we got in the post today - another Abbey statement with unauthorised o/d charges of £25!!!!!!!!!

To say I'm annoyed is an understatement, I've been on to the call centre and asked for a supervisor, they did all the security chacks and cut me off twice - and no 'tomm', in mind of your helpful advice, I was not rude at all.
I got through on another number and they looked on the account, yes it's still open and yes, the £25 charge has just been reversed.
So, has anyone got any advice on how to close an Abbey account PLEASE? As visiting the branch and presenting with all the paperwork obviously doesn't work.

There's another letter going to the Financial Ombudsman updating them on the latest events - I'm at my wit's end what to do now, we really don't need this now as my future FIL died suddenly yesterday and we've got another 200 mile round trip to go and sort the coroner out today.

basketcase

Could you try going into the Branch (at a busy time), asking nicely to close your account and then, if they won't, turn to the queue and say "Ladies and Gentlemen, before you do any more business with this bank, you may wish to hear my experiences and why, after X years, I'm TRYING to close my account."

If nobody comes out to say "Certainly, you can close your account, Madam", carry on telling your story till they do. If they ask you to leave because you're causing a nuisance agree politely and say "I'll be back next week with as many different sorts of media as I can muster."

It certainly works when you try to return faulty goods. And before anybody says anything I'm actually normally a placid person who hates making trouble. However, I've had trouble with Satander too. Pity, I used to like Abbey, but I'm looking to leave myself...

Sagaris

basketcase wrote: »

Could you try going into the Branch (at a busy time), asking nicely to close your account and then, if they won't, turn to the queue and say "Ladies and Gentlemen, before you do any more business with this bank, you may wish to hear my experiences and why, after X years, I'm TRYING to close my account."

If nobody comes out to say "Certainly, you can close your account, Madam", carry on telling your story till they do. If they ask you to leave because you're causing a nuisance agree politely and say "I'll be back next week with as many different sorts of media as I can muster."

It certainly works when you try to return faulty goods. And before anybody says anything I'm actually normally a placid person who hates making trouble. However, I've had trouble with Satander too. Pity, I used to like Abbey, but I'm looking to leave myself...

Ha ha - we tried that today! I explained what had happened with the account (or not as the case may be) and they were admant there was no one for us to see until after 1 - this was at 10.30! The branch was heaving with customers so I made sure that those surrounding us at the desk could plainly hear what was going on - we got lots of sympathetic looks, but no joy from Abbey. When they traced the account on the system their attitude changed, they agreed it was all their fault and a disgusting way to treat customers. We were promised a call back which we eventually got a 7.45 this evening - with a promise to close the account, and if head office can't or won't do it, then the staff at the branch will do it manually.

So why couldn't they do that in the first place?

I await with interest to see what happens next!

[Deleted User]

Sagaris wrote: »

Ha ha - we tried that today! I explained what had happened with the account (or not as the case may be) and they were admant there was no one for us to see until after 1 - this was at 10.30! The branch was heaving with customers so I made sure that those surrounding us at the desk could plainly hear what was going on - we got lots of sympathetic looks, but no joy from Abbey. When they traced the account on the system their attitude changed, they agreed it was all their fault and a disgusting way to treat customers. We were promised a call back which we eventually got a 7.45 this evening - with a promise to close the account, and if head office can't or won't do it, then the staff at the branch will do it manually.

So why couldn't they do that in the first place?

I await with interest to see what happens next!

Because since last monday, branch staff are now authorised to close bank accounts. Weren't allowed before, and the way they cascade the information to staff is a joke. I would say probably 75% of staff still don;t know they can do it.

(Unless you ve got pending charges, then head office would have to deal with your closure)

Sagaris

chr_is wrote: »

(Unless you ve got pending charges, then head office would have to deal with your closure)

Definately no charges - that's what I couldn't understand - the balance was £0.00 for the month then they put the £25 overdraft charge on.

I paid the 52p outstanding at the branch in February when we had attempt no 3 at closing it! :rotfl:

Thanks for the explanation though - still no contact from Abbey via the form I filled in online 2 days ago!