Always get a debit card for donor accounts

puk999

I opened an account with Bank A in November 2014 to get an incentive. As part of the application, they asked whether I want a debit card. I chose "no", thinking I wasn't going to use the account and would then switch away after a few months, and it's one less debit card to store and potentially get stolen.

I'm now switching from Bank A to Bank B. On the phone earlier they ask for sort code, account number, the 16-digit debit card number and expiry date. Bank B can't process the switch without the debit card number. They said it's used as the switching reference.

Not a big problem as I've just gone back to Bank A to get a debit card issued,so I need to wait a week before switching, but wanted to let others know, though I imagine most people will have debit cards on their accounts.

keiran

My understanding is that IF you have a debit card ( or have had a debit card and lost it, etc) then you must have the debit card number for the switch.

If you have never had ( because you chose not to have) a debit card on the account, then the information is not needed and the switch can progress without it.

I have switched numerous accounts to numerous banks, with and without a debit card, and hence know this is true

cheexy

keiran wrote: »

My understanding is that IF you have a debit card ( or have had a debit card and lost it, etc) then you must have the debit card number for the switch.

If you have never had ( because you chose not to have) a debit card on the account, then the information is not needed and the switch can progress without it.

I have switched numerous accounts to numerous banks, with and without a debit card, and hence know this is true

I agree. I too have switched accounts without debit cards without any hitch whatsoever

puk999

keiran wrote: »

I have switched numerous accounts to numerous banks, with and without a debit card, and hence know this is true

cheexy wrote: »

I agree. I too have switched accounts without debit cards without any hitch whatsoever

That's interesting. Bank B (aka Co-op) claim it's a requirement for the donor account to have a debit card linked. It didn't feel right so I checked with Co-op via online message chat and they also said it was required. Maybe it's a Co-op foible. Thanks for the counterexamples.

jonesMUFCforever

When did you all transfer / switch accounts?
My understanding that since the introduction of the 7 day switch guarantee you need a debit card number.
You could proceed without it but it is called a partial switch but the guarantee does not apply.
If I was switching I would want that guarantee.

cheexy

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

When did you all transfer / switch accounts?
My understanding that since the introduction of the 7 day switch guarantee you need a debit card number.
You could proceed without it but it is called a partial switch but the guarantee does not apply.
If I was switching I would want that guarantee.

Mid January this year.

Sea_Shell

If you do get new debit cards, but have no intention of ever using them, what do you think the best course of action would be.

a. Keep the cards safe, but destroy the PIN information
b. Destroy the cards but make a note of the numbers
c. Change the PIN to something memorable, and keep them in your purse/wallet?

meer53

You don't need a debit card to switch accounts, the option is there to state that no debit card is held on the account.

puk999

Sea_Shell wrote: »

If you do get new debit cards, but have no intention of ever using them, what do you think the best course of action would be.

a. Keep the cards safe, but destroy the PIN information
b. Destroy the cards but make a note of the numbers
c. Change the PIN to something memorable, and keep them in your purse/wallet?

I always change the PIN and keep the cards in my house.

planteria

i found Yorkshire Bank to be adamant that they required the debit card for the account i was transferring from. but i have heard others say that it can be done without.. and false information and poor service from Yorkshire Bank are not rare;)

keiran

For accounts I'm opening for donor purposes only, I ask not to have a debit card where the facility exists

Where there isn't, I keep the debit card, attached to its covering letter and with a disguised note of the PIN, somewhere safe until a later bank switch renders it useless and then securely destroy it

Yorks Bank can definitely do switches without a debit card - most of mine were!