Multiple current accounts - the debit card dilemma

colsten

gallygirl wrote: »

1 savings account

I did actually ask for an acceptable alternative, not a technical one.

I didn't specify what I deem acceptable but I did say : Please don't say ISA or other savings account as that would be absolutely ridiculous as in all of them the money would lose value every day.

So I am still interested in an acceptable alternative to multiple current accounts for short- to medium-term savings.

thenudeone

bsms1147 wrote: »

Yep, you'll usually need them to switch.

Absolutely not.

A debit card number is only required to allow transactions to be processed through the Visa or Mastercard systems which require a 16-digit card number. The 16-digit number isn't required for any other purpose.

You DO NOT need a debit card number to switch; only the bank sort code and account number.

What on earth makes you think you do?

BTW keeping the PINs in their original envelopes is a very bad idea. A burglar with the cards and PINs could wipe out several £k a day from the accounts, and the bank would not refund you.

bsms1147

thenudeone wrote: »

What on earth makes you think you do?

Perhaps 'usually' was the wrong term, but a lot (?a majority) of the switches I've made since the 7-day guarantee came in have told me they've required the card number to do so.

YorkshireBoy

thenudeone wrote: »

You DO NOT need a debit card number to switch; only the bank sort code and account number.

What on earth makes you think you do?

Some banks ask for the debit card number when switching to them. M&S certainly asked me (and others on here who have reported the same) when I switched to them recently, and declined my switch as my NatWest debit card had expired. I had to switch another of my dormant accounts instead.

Maybe it's do with verifying/redirecting CPA requests?




EDIT: Here's just one switching request form I picked at random...

https://secure.form.halifax.co.uk/application/account_transfer.asp

If you have a debit card (and you still will have...even if you've destroyed it), they won't process the switching request without the card number.




2nd EDIT: Santander require the debit card numbers for all account holders if you're switching a joint account to them...

To switch you'll need to give us

• your sort code and account number
• your existing debit card number and expiry date. If you are switching a joint account to us, we’ll need the debit card details for all applicants.

http://www.santander.co.uk/uk/current-accounts/guide-to-switching-your-current-account (click "How to switch")

iris

When I switched one of my current accounts to M&S recently, yes they asked me for my debit card number, but I just said I didn't have one and they accepted my answer and processed the switch accordingly. It was not a problem. HTH

YorkshireBoy

iris wrote: »

When I switched one of my current accounts to M&S recently, yes they asked me for my debit card number, but I just said I didn't have one and they accepted my answer and processed the switch accordingly. It was not a problem. HTH

But did you have one and then lie saying you didn't? Or did you simply not have one?

iris

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

But did you have one and then lie saying you didn't? Or did you simply not have one?

No, I didn't lie, I didn't have one.

InsideInsurance

thenudeone wrote: »

A debit card number is only required to allow transactions to be processed through the Visa or Mastercard systems which require a 16-digit card number. The 16-digit number isn't required for any other purpose.

An increasing number of companies are using debit card + pin sentry to ID you either online or on the phone.

Lith

I have around 6 main current accounts and my wallet is FAT AS F****

But i only use 2 accounts out of the 6,

all other debit cards just have around 30 to 80 quid in them (just to shut them up)

i cant imagine having 17 current accounts.... 17 debit cards? MY LORD lol the banks must think you are a drug lord or something.

colsten

Believe it or not but some people have enough money to fill the interest paying current accounts and aren't criminals. They also don't carry all their debit cards around with them.