Cancelled account opening - anything I can do?

Catmaspudding

I wanted to open an account with first direct, but the application took a lot longer than I expected and they kept asking for more information (they wanted to call my place of work instead of accepting a letter from HR etc, which was difficult in a secure building like mine).

I was planning on changing my name due to family at the start of next year, but something came up and it had to be done much sooner. The bank had said that they had everything they needed and I assumed I was waiting for them to open the account (hadn't heard anything for 2 weeks). I didnt have much choice but to start the name change then.

2 days after I sent off my driving licence and passport for the name change, firstdirect wanted me to send ID. I explained I was changing my name, and they said they had to cancel the application.

This has taken 64 points off my clear score report (which says that a new account has been added), but the account was never opened. Is there anything I can do?

Ben8282

Why was it so urgent to change your name?
What were your actual objections to First Direct contacting your place of work. You mention 'secure building' (guess you work for MI5 or something) but surely your personnel department can receive incoming phone calls? I am also surprised at FirstDirect telling you that they wanted to call your workplace; I would have expected them to just do it. Not your fault if the call is not put through.
You must admit that it is highly unusual for somebody to urgently need to change their name and send off their documents for that purpose half-way through an application.
Has the new account actually appeared on the credit report or is it an application search that has appeared?

DCFC79

Wow you lost 64 points.

Why you bothered about a score no1 but you can see ?

Your history is what lenders can see.

Catmaspudding

Ben8282 wrote: »

Why was it so urgent to change your name?
What were your actual objections to First Direct contacting your place of work. You mention 'secure building' (guess you work for MI5 or something) but surely your personnel department can receive incoming phone calls? I am also surprised at FirstDirect telling you that they wanted to call your workplace; I would have expected them to just do it. Not your fault if the call is not put through.
You must admit that it is highly unusual for somebody to urgently need to change their name and send off their documents for that purpose half-way through an application.
Has the new account actually appeared on the credit report or is it an application search that has appeared?

It was urgent because my uni certificates were about to be issued and I didn't want them in my old name. I was originally told they wouldn't be sorted until the end of next academic year. These cant be changed once issued.

I didn't realise I could have kept my passport...

Not everyone will transfer a call on request for security.

DCFC79 wrote: »

Wow you lost 64 points.

Why you bothered about a score no1 but you can see ?

Your history is what lenders can see.

Because I wanted to open a bank account and then apply for a personal loan with them - that would amount to 3 applications in a short period of time instead of 2. I am more likely to be turned down for the loan if I go ahead now.

My history now shows a hard search for a bank account with them - but no account - looking like I failed it.

DCFC79

Nixia wrote: »

Because I wanted to open a bank account and then apply for a personal loan with them - that would amount to 3 applications in a short period of time instead of 2. I am more likely to be turned down for the loan if I go ahead now.

My history now shows a hard search for a bank account with them - but no account - looking like I failed it.

Or it could look like you decided not to go through with the opening of the account.

sourcrates

Your credit score is a meaningless number that no one but you ever sees.

As said above, it's your credit history that counts when applying for credit.

As every lender scores you differently, it's impossible to say if you have suffered any detriment.