Not sure what to do next????

fiveyearplan

When I spoke to the CCCS they advised me to open an account urgently. I went to the Halifax and it has been over 2 weeks and it still isn't open so my advice would be to get one open ASAP. I'm thinking of opening a Co op account as I've read on here that it is pretty good.

fermi

CCCS are right really. No account opened before bankruptcy is guaranteed to be 100% safe, which is why CCCS often advise this way (they don't want to give wrong advice).

The two most likely to be OK at the moment are the 'Co-op Cashminder' and the 'Barclays Cash Card' account. See the sticky linked to below for details:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=474254

(The Nationwide account is apparently no longer ok for BR's )

But beware that even these accounts may be frozen by the bank for a while when they find out about your bankruptcy. Mostly they will be unfrozen again when the Official Receiver says it is OK for the bank to do so, but that can sometimes take a little while.

Can you arrange to have wages/credits paid into a relatives (or someone else trusted) account temporarily? Many people do this so at least you are guaranteed to get your money while the whole bank account thing settles down.

For just benefits/tax credits you can have these paid into a Post Office Card Acount which is absolutely safe because it is for exempt payments only. I believe you need an invitation letter from a benefit/government department to get one of these though.

fiveyearplan

CCCS urged me to open a basic bank account with a bank I don't owe any money to. Obviously this account will not have any credit facilities but does have some kind of ATM card. I think the card may be electron or something. Not too sure because it hasn't arrived yet.

lipsthefish

Hi Bow
There are some great chaps on the techi forum of this site that might be able to help you get your computer up and running again, just an idea that might help.

fermi

fiveyearplan wrote: »

CCCS urged me to open a basic bank account with a bank I don't owe any money to. Obviously this account will not have any credit facilities but does have some kind of ATM card. I think the card may be electron or something. Not too sure because it hasn't arrived yet.

If that is the Halifax's basic account (EasyCash Account) then that apparently comes with a Visa Electron card.

I've heard of Halifax being complete pains in the **** with respect to going BR for some people (even with the EasyCash account), so the Co-op might be a wise move if it is going to be BR for you. The Co-op account comes with a Visa Electron card as well.

fiveyearplan

Thanks, I'll see what they have to offer.

regularsaver1

the timespan for opening a Halifax easycash is approx 10 working days from receipt of application and identification by post - as long as all correct

tigerfeet2006

The Halifax Easycash account does not have an Electron card it has a cashpoint card only. It is the Cardcash account that has an Electron card. I have both accounts with the Halifax and have been told that if I go bankrupt they will close our accounts even though they are not one of our creditors.

regularsaver1

actually tigerfeet it does have visa electron - it never used to but it does now.

Easycash - Green card with visa electron

Cardcash (no longer available to apply for new apart from under 18) - visa electron also, blue card

Both basic accounts, but different accounts too

Yes they will close your existing accounts

fiveyearplan

I got a chart somewhere on this site that tells which banks accept bankrupts and Halifax was on there. I'm confused now because that's why I opened it - in anticipation. I know that NAtionwide now do not do their account that they used to to accept BRs. I suppose the Coop will be the next place to go.