Refused Bank Account - Please Help

DigitalDevil

Hey,

I'm hoping someone can help me, I've recently applied for a Santander Current account but unfortunately they have contacted me this morning to inform me that I have been unsuccessful with my application.

I'm currently in a DMP with defaults on my credit score, so this is most likely what has caused me to be unsuccessful in obtaining a new current account.

My problem now is if no one is able to give me a current account what am I supposed to do next??

Hope someone can help
DD

xylophone

See http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

DigitalDevil

Thanks for the link

I had a quick read of things, so I'm possibly wrong here but from what I can understand is that a "Basic" account seems rather limited when it comes to paying for things especially online or over the telephone

Unfortunately due to my rural location I do the majority of my transactions either online or via the telephone....

It seems like I'm stuck having to pay the exorbitant fee's Think Money are imposing on me (£17.50p/m)

Cheers
DD

jonesMUFCforever

Most basic accounts have debit cards - the only limit is that you use your own funds not the banks'.

DigitalDevil

From what I gathered is that most "Basic Accounts" come with a Cash card and that it can only be used to withdraw money from an ATM or Post Office??

Regards,
DD

pmduk

I think Santander are about the only bank that restrict basic bank account holders to a cash card. Most accounts come with a debit card. I'd try a different bank, but ensure you avoid any that you owe debts to.

DigitalDevil

I'm a little unfamiliar with what banks are available and meet my criteria.

My problem is I live in a fairly rural area which has a Barclays Bank in the village - unfortunately, I just so happen to owe Barclays money (the only people I owe money to) so they are out of the question.

My existing current account is with Think Money (RBS), this was setup as part of my DMP with Gregory Pennington (same company, I know). My problem with this account is they are now charging £17.50p/m, their card is usable online but it's a Master Card and the two cash points I have "local" to me only accept Visa, my "local" RBS branch is around 35-40 minuets drive away, doesn't open weekends and closes the same time that I finish work so it's a total inconvenience to bank with them.

So I need to find something new
DD

Futuristic

DigitalDevil wrote: »

I'm a little unfamiliar with what banks are available and meet my criteria.

My problem is I live in a fairly rural area which has a Barclays Bank in the village - unfortunately, I just so happen to owe Barclays money (the only people I owe money to) so they are out of the question.

My existing current account is with Think Money (RBS), this was setup as part of my DMP with Gregory Pennington (same company, I know). My problem with this account is they are now charging £17.50p/m, their card is usable online but it's a Master Card and the two cash points I have "local" to me only accept Visa, my "local" RBS branch is around 35-40 minuets drive away, doesn't open weekends and closes the same time that I finish work so it's a total inconvenience to bank with them.

So I need to find something new
DD

http://www.tsb.co.uk/current-accounts/cash-account/
http://personal.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/compare-current-accounts/basic-account.html

Westie983

Basic account from most banks will allow you to use it online, but no overdraft facility so you can only spend your own money...

Halifax
HSBC
Lloyds
Nationwide

Deep_In_Debt

DigitalDevil wrote: »

I'm a little unfamiliar with what banks are available and meet my criteria.

My problem is I live in a fairly rural area which has a Barclays Bank in the village - unfortunately, I just so happen to owe Barclays money (the only people I owe money to) so they are out of the question.

My existing current account is with Think Money (RBS), this was setup as part of my DMP with Gregory Pennington (same company, I know). My problem with this account is they are now charging £17.50p/m, their card is usable online but it's a Master Card and the two cash points I have "local" to me only accept Visa, my "local" RBS branch is around 35-40 minuets drive away, doesn't open weekends and closes the same time that I finish work so it's a total inconvenience to bank with them.

So I need to find something new
DD

Barclays are BR friendly so will offer a basic account even if you have debts with them so give them a go. Make sure you ask for their basic account though otherwise they will reject you. Basic account comes with debit card which can be used on line and you can set up DDs etc.

Plus you need to find a DMP provider who don't charge a fee - Stepchange for example. The monthly fee you are paying GP could be going to pay your debts and not lining GP's pockets.

Definitely try Barclays though. My ex owed them in BR and they still opened a basic account for him.

Good luck.

DigitalDevil

The problem is getting someone else to handle my DMP, I phoned PayPlan and from what I could gather they seemed like they were unable to help me because my DMP was already with someone else. I contacted GP to enquire how I switch to a free DMP and they froze my plan.... Which they later apologised for an reinstated the Direct Debit.... I know, I don't understand what happened either! So I'm a little lost as to how I make the changes to this, from what I can tell I'm kinda stuck where I am

Do no banks offer the switching service with a "Cash" or "Basic" account? And are these types of accounts limited to withdrawals from their own associated ATMs only??

This is too much of a headache......
DD