Current account switching - debit cards

richy4

With the latest £250 offer to switch, I'm very close to signing up.

However, I am concerned about what happens to my debit card before/during/after the switch?

Obviously I have stuff to buy despite switching banks, at the switch date what happens if I haven't received the new debit card from the new bank?

I assume the old bank will cancel all my debit cards and I'll be left in limbo till the new bank I've switched to allows me access to my new account and transferred cash once the card arrives which could be days later?

Anyone had any experience of this?

Don80

Hi

I did this switching from RBS to Halifax recently. I had my new card and PIN before the end of the 7 days, which is when the old account is closed and your card stops working. So for me that wasn't a problem. I was also only using the Halifax account to pay bills, so I actually don't use the card as my main account is with the Bank of Scotland!

Ironically, the CASS does not guarantee that you will get your new card by the end of the 7 days, but as most banks get them sent out within a few days, it's not something I'd be too worried about. You could just make sure you have some cash on hand just in case.

BoGoF

If you are that concerned then make the switch date 2/3 weeks in the future. Your new account still gets set up straightaway but the switch doesnt happen till the date you specify

badger09

Common sense tells you not to burn your bridges by switching from your existing account until your new one is fully functional to the extent you need.:cool:

In other words, if you need to use your new debit card, don't have the switch completing before you have it, and have activated it if necessary.

Nebulous2

I switched out of Clydesdale about 18 months ago, having used them for about 30 years before that. They are moderately competent, but can move at quite a sedate pace. I wouldn't trust them to get a card to me in time. You are on a limited timescale to switch to get the bonus.

The best answer would be to have a spare account / debit card you can use if there is a delay.

System

Simply don't switch until you have the card (and any other essential services) up and running.

The old debit card will work until the switch day.

djpailo

badger09 wrote: »

Common sense tells you not to burn your bridges by switching from your existing account until your new one is fully functional to the extent you need.:cool:

In other words, if you need to use your new debit card, don't have the switch completing before you have it, and have activated it if necessary.

Common sense should also be, before any switch, people should have at least two current accounts, each with a different bank, in case one bank has a technical fault or closes the account. Why this isn't the case for the majority, I do not know.

Peter6268

What I did, well before switching was to open a current account with another bank (without any offers etc) and once I received the debit card for that account, I deposited a few hundred pounds into that account. (I now keep this account as a 'spare account' for emergencies, or if my primary banks computers crash etc).

I then later 'switched' my primary account from one bank to another and collected the bonus etc. If there had been any delay etc I always had my 'spare account' to fall back on.

I generally pay in all the change I collect into the 'spare account' every so often to avoid it becoming dormant (handily that bank has a 'coin counting' machine). Also I make the odd small payment out of it, but it is a totally 'stand alone' account, away from my primary bank account.

Peter