Bank of Cyprus UK shambles

KingL

Bank of Cyprus are at the top of a few 'best buy' tables recently, so I opened their one year bonus saver and pushed-in some funds.

They sent me a password for internet banking through the post. But the password was illegible/ambiguous and I got locked out when trying to use it.

The website directs me to a "reset password" script where I enter almost every bit of information I provided on the original application form. Then it tells me it can't give me a new password and that I must call Customer Services (perhaps understandable as I have never successfully logged in).

Customer Service don't answer the phone (I listened to their self-congratulatory 'on-hold' tape for 20 minutes before giving up, it is not a freephone number).

There is an option on the website to ask them to call you back, and they undertake to do so within one day. Two and a half (working) days later, I still haven't heard anything.

Calling them again, the 0345 number on the website and welcome pack diverts to someone who claims to have nothing to do with the bank and that the telephone number has been reallocated.

Calling the PSTN equivalent, 020 3375 6422 (also on the website and welcome letter) diverts to a voicemailbox which is full and won't accept any more messages.

I have no way of contacting them. What a farce. Has anyone else had recent experience with their customer service ?

jonesMUFCforever

Have you tried the email which is on the same place as the contact numbers?

Neil_Jones

The internet banking password could be clearer (I couldn't read mine so I had to request a new one by text) but otherwise I haven't had any problems, I was fortunate enough to get the 1.3% rate.

There's some other numbers on saynoto0870.com including some Outer London 020 8 numbers that may work if you get those inclusive in your phone package...

KingL

Thanks, I found an online chat thingy on the website, but only got a fairly unhelpful "sorry about that, try phoning at another time when it might be quieter" response from the agent who responded. After some (metaphorical) shouting from me, he eventually got someone to call me back, and I got a new password by text. But gawd, it was like pulling teeth!

Shakin_Steve

I'm afraid something like this would just put me right off. I like to think that, if for some reason, I needed to contact my bank urgently, I could do it.
Just my own personal view.

Djene

When I opened one of their savings account for the good rate, it took so long for my internet banking password to come, it was two days out of date, that put me right off. Ended up closing the account.

borders

Yes, I'm waiting for my password just now. Will be out of date on Monday. I haven't put any money in yet. If the password is late, then I won't be putting any in. We'll see what happens.

surreysaver

Neil_Jones wrote: »

Outer London 020 8 numbers that may work if you get those inclusive in your phone package...

Sorry to be pedantic, but there is no telephone code for outer London. London has just one code - 020. The first digit of the 'local' code can be 0, 3, 7 or 8 and can be in any part of the 020 area.

KingL

Now I've managed to log into internet banking, I learn that they didn't actually link my linked account, so I can't make any withdrawals until that is fixed.

Also the section on internet banking which lists the details on my account (base rate, bonus rate, bonus expiry date, etc) says that my bonus rate is zero, instead of the advertised 0.6%, so presumably that needs fixing too.

I suggest anyone with an account checks out all such details sooner rater than later....

Neil_Jones

surreysaver wrote: »

Sorry to be pedantic, but there is no telephone code for outer London. London has just one code - 020. The first digit of the 'local' code can be 0, 3, 7 or 8 and can be in any part of the 020 area.

Which is why I wrote it as 020 8. 020 is indeed the London code and 0208 is, in a lot of cases, what used to be the old 0181 or 081 numbers, as that used to be the outer London range with 071/0171 inner London.

And 0203 numbers aren't London numbers. They're virtual London numbers.

borders

Same as KingL above. They haven't linked my nominated account and I can't withdraw. Good job I've only put in a tenner.