Current account switching - always requires PAN?

Glastoun

Two banks have asked me for my existing 16 digit debit card number before they can process a current account switch. They're old accounts and I don't have the debit cards any more, so on the first occasion I had to re-order a new card for the account I was switching away from, wasting time and money.

However, afterwards, the new bank told me I could have cancelled the card on the previous account, and then they could proceed with the switch without it. If that's the case, what's the point in asking for it? Is it a regulatory requirement?

stclair

It's so the bank can attempt to switch any possible recurring payments you have using the card.

B_G_B

I had two old Lloyds Vantage accounts to switch , neither of which had a debit card, due to a misprint when cards were originally issued. I cancelled the cards with the bank as soon as I received them as they weren’t req’d.

When I switched to Co-op I had to get a new card. Unable to switch without PAN.

When I switched to First Direct, I told them at the outset that I didn’t have a card but could get one if needed. They asked me if old card had been cancelled, which it had. They switched the account without an existing card / PAN.

meer53

Card details are needed for a switch. It will reject without the correct card information. If a card has been cancelled and not reissued, a switch can still complete without card details. Problems arise when people say "no i don't have a card" when really what they mean is "i can't find my card" or "i never use my card" Even if you don't have your card, there can still be a live card on your account and these details are needed for a switch.

Recurring card payments can't be transferred as part of a switch as the bank doesn't hold any of these details, they're held by the retailer concerned.

stclair

meer53 wrote: »

Card details are needed for a switch. It will reject without the correct card information. If a card has been cancelled and not reissued, a switch can still complete without card details. Problems arise when people say "no i don't have a card" when really what they mean is "i can't find my card" or "i never use my card" Even if you don't have your card, there can still be a live card on your account and these details are needed for a switch.

Recurring card payments can't be transferred as part of a switch as the bank doesn't hold any of these details, they're held by the retailer concerned.

Take no notice of me I was thinking of something else... lol

System

Sorry, but this is inaccurate.

I switched a current account but had cut up the debit card when it arrived and just ticked the box 'no debit card' on the switch form and it switched fine.

meer53 wrote: »

Card details are needed for a switch. It will reject without the correct card information. If a card has been cancelled and not reissued, a switch can still complete without card details. Problems arise when people say "no i don't have a card" when really what they mean is "i can't find my card" or "i never use my card" Even if you don't have your card, there can still be a live card on your account and these details are needed for a switch.

Recurring card payments can't be transferred as part of a switch as the bank doesn't hold any of these details, they're held by the retailer concerned.

Hazzanet

Heng_Leng wrote: »

Sorry, but this is inaccurate.

I switched a current account but had cut up the debit card when it arrived and just ticked the box 'no debit card' on the switch form and it switched fine.

Last time I tried that, this happened:

Glastoun

Thanks for the insight - will be an interesting conversation on the switch hotline then....

System

It worked fine for me and I've read someone else doing the same thing on here.

I do tend to jot down the card numbers now before destroying them as better safe than sorry

Hazzanet wrote: »

Last time I tried that, this happened:

meer53

Heng_Leng wrote: »

Sorry, but this is inaccurate.

I switched a current account but had cut up the debit card when it arrived and just ticked the box 'no debit card' on the switch form and it switched fine.

It's not inaccurate.

Glastoun

B_G_B wrote: »

When I switched to Co-op I had to get a new card. Unable to switch without PAN.

It was Co-op - the asked for a debit card number, I said it had been cancelled so there was no active card on the account any more. She was unsure whether she could proceed, but checked with a manager and then the switch team, and came back and said they could do it, so fairplay to them.