Can't use card while switching banks?

kmb500

I have been sick of HSBC so today opened an account with TSB and am switching over, they told me it will be complete on 10th November.

What they didn't tell me is that I can't use my old card now?! I am trying to buy things this evening and all transactions failing. I can still log in to my HSBC account and my money is still there, but I can't use any of it?

I can't go without money for a week. I have to go to work, I have to eat. I have no cash whatsoever, and didn't think to withdraw any before switching banks, as they never told me I would need to. It all seemed very smooth.

Am I doing something wrong, or am I stuck without money for a week?

grumbler

First of all you will receive a new card, can transfer money and start using it before switching.

Regardless, you can keep using the old card until it stops working that will happen after switching.

If the switching is scheduled on the 10th and your card stopped working now, this problem has nothing to do with switching.

kmb500

That's what I thought, that I could use the old card until the switch happens on the 10th. I don't think it has "nothing" to do with switching - I have never had a problem with the card before and it just happens a few hours after I try to switch account? Seems unlikely. I got paid on Friday and have plenty of money, so I dont know what could be the problem. It's being declined even when I try a £1 transaction.

I will call up the bank tomorrow see if they can tell me what's wrong. Can you think of anything?

rolls99

When you call the bank, be matter of fact and ask them why you're card's being declined; you need access to your money - don't let them fob you off.


It could really be anything at all at this stage it's hard to say - whatever, you need to deal with the access issue first and foremost and "forget" about the switch; but you can only react to what they say at this stage.


As a side note (and this isn't to say this has anything to do with switching) but I've never actually switched banks (but have opened new accounts) - and although obviously (as these forums testify) people "Switch" hassle free all the time whether it's energy, banks, or whatever, personally I know plenty people (myself included) where switching has basically been a complete pain in the proverbial.


Yes it does get sorted eventually but "expect" the companies to foul it up is my motto - and, perhaps once this is sorted out, you might think about opening a separate "Spare" bank account for either general use or as a standby in cases such as this,

planteria

grumbler wrote: »

If the switching is scheduled on the 10th and your card stopped working now, this problem has nothing to do with switching.

i agree. no point arguing with grumbler about whether it has "nothing" to do with switching, or not.. just call HSBC and ask why your card is not working.

just a thought, but perhaps a good idea to have at least 2 accounts with different banks, to ensure you never find yourself in this position again.

agrinnall

a) Credit cards (which is what this board is for) are unaffected by the current account switching process.

b) What grumbler said.

Semple

Might be a possibility to go into branch to withdraw money (take some ID). The problem is, if there's a physical problem with the card, then it'll be a good few days for them to send out a new one.

SuperHan

+1 for transfer some funds now from HSBC to TSB, then use your TSB card up to and after the switch.