Warning over Natwest message alerts

Paperweight

For a few years now I have been getting a text alert from Natwest during the morning if my bank account goes overdrawn This has allowed me to transfer money into my account so that I do not get any overdraft charges. However I have now had 2 occasions this year when it has let me down. In January, I went overdrawn due to an overnight payment but was not sent the text until late afternoon when it was too late to pay in any monies to bring the account into credit. I complained when I was charged an overdraft fee but was told that it was my own fault and that I should not rely on their service. Then last month I went overdrawn again and received no text at all. In both instances I had gone overdrawn due to unexpected payments coming out of my account and the account was brought back into credit on the same day (although late in the day) or the next day.

When it works, I think that this text service is really useful. However, I have now come to rely on it and that is a mistake that has cost me, twice.

Be warned. Do not rely on this method of keeping your account in credit. It is not reliable and Natwest will charge you fees if you go overdrawn because you have relied on their service and then been let down.

Dird

So far I always get the warning on time but I've panicked a couple times as their £3 fee has left me overdrawn twice. I've noticed in the same day though & apparently you get £10 overdrawn without being charged

stclair

No text message is garanteed.

mgdavid

Paperweight wrote: »

.......... In both instances I had gone overdrawn due to unexpected payments coming out of my account .................

I don't understand how this can happen - could you give an example of an 'unexpected payment' out of one's own account?

Dird

mgdavid wrote: »

I don't understand how this can happen - could you give an example of an 'unexpected payment' out of one's own account?

Presumably he was expecting it a couple days later. One of my phone DDs seems to pull (not only pre-loaded for Monday) at an earlier date if the main date is on weekend. All the others wait until after the weekend

eskbanker

Paperweight wrote: »

In January, I went overdrawn due to an overnight payment but was not sent the text until late afternoon

How do you know this, did NatWest explicitly confirm it to you? You may not have received the text until late afternoon but that's not the same thing at all....

tizerbelle

why not switch to the alert for a balance below a certain limit and avoid going into the overdraft in the first place (even if it is only for a few hours)

SuperAllyB

Thanks for the heads up. I always try to remember and move money to my NatWest Rewards account the day before it's due, but quite often need the text to remind me. It's never let me down so far but its handy to be aware that it can't be trusted 100%.

Paul_1977

Can't you just increase the overdraft?

No_6

MS money,, then you will know what you have to spend or pay and DATES.
Future forecast on the accounts are great, as long as all your data is entered.

mgdavid

[QUOTE=Dird;70587221]Presumably he was expecting it a couple days later. One of my phone DDs seems to pull (not only pre-loaded for Monday) at an earlier date if the main date is on weekend. All the others wait until after the weekend[/QUOTE]

bit of a leap of faith, where did you infer that from?
Could be any reason, that's why I asked!