Switching Bank Accounts & GDPR

RoggyDoggy

Hi, I've tried searching this forum but to no avail so hopefully this question isn't running elsewhere.
My son recently switched bank accounts from HSBC to First Direct under a recommendation from me. All was going ok until he asked about transferring his direct debits. FD informed him that due to the new GDPR regulations he would have to contact the relevant companies and switch his own DDs as they were no longer able to do it. Has anyone else heard of this?
My son only had 2 DDs so it was easy enough for him to do but if it's correct why are various adverts still stating the 7 day switch service when you have to do some of it yourself?

xylophone

Odd.

https://www1.firstdirect.com/1/2/banking/switching-bank-accounts#7-day-switching

Your old bank will automatically send us details of your regular payments (Direct Debits, standing orders and bills).

We set up all the payments on your new first direct 1st Account, inform all your Direct Debit originators that you've moved banks and give them your new details, including your employer so your salary can be redirected. There is nothing at all for you to do, no calls or anything.

But then


We do things a little differently
Hello! Lovely to meet you. Fancy getting to know each other? Let us tell you why we're different from other banks.:)

agrinnall

And from the CASS website (my bold of the relevant statement):


The Switch Guarantee means that your new bank or building society will:

• ​Switch your current account for free
• Switch your account on a day you choose
• Move all of the payments, coming in and going out, from your old to your new account
• Transfer your balance from your old account on the switch date you choose
• Redirect any payments accidentally made to your old account and get the sender to correct your details
• Refund you for any missed payments or fees incurred as a result of your switch

https://www.currentaccountswitch.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx


I think what has happened is that your son has managed to speak to someone at FD who doesn't understand both the process and the law.

eskbanker

RoggyDoggy wrote: »

My son recently switched bank accounts from HSBC to First Direct under a recommendation from me. All was going ok until he asked about transferring his direct debits. FD informed him that due to the new GDPR regulations he would have to contact the relevant companies and switch his own DDs as they were no longer able to do it. Has anyone else heard of this?
My son only had 2 DDs so it was easy enough for him to do but if it's correct why are various adverts still stating the 7 day switch service when you have to do some of it yourself?

Perhaps he caused confusion by simply asking about transferring DDs rather than making it completely clear that he was looking to invoke the full CASS switching service (which doesn't just move DDs but entails other obligations and closes the old account)?

badger09

RoggyDoggy wrote: »

Hi, I've tried searching this forum but to no avail so hopefully this question isn't running elsewhere.
My son recently switched bank accounts from HSBC to First Direct under a recommendation from me. All was going ok until he asked about transferring his direct debits. FD informed him that due to the new GDPR regulations he would have to contact the relevant companies and switch his own DDs as they were no longer able to do it. Has anyone else heard of this?
My son only had 2 DDs so it was easy enough for him to do but if it's correct why are various adverts still stating the 7 day switch service when you have to do some of it yourself?

You say he recently switched. Did he actually use CASS (Current Account Switch Service)?

RoggyDoggy

Thanks for all the comments, Yes it was made clear to FD that he was switching accounts. I can only think that maybe it was something to do with switching from HSBC to FD which is a subsidiary of HSBC. Anyway, it's all done now so no harm but was odd.