Santander Refer a Friend

tg99

gavindoc27 wrote: »

They were not forthcoming on the phone; only that I was clearly switching purely for bonuses and this was abuse. However, yes, it seems very odd to me and I haven't yet heard of anyone else being affected. I am checking with Experian/Equifax/Callctedit & CIFAS in case there are any markers that might explain this beyond the referrals, simply because being effectively banned from a bank has me a little spooked.

Anyway, I hope no-one else is affected but thought it worth posting my experience in case.

Hopefully no-one else has issues.

I would also raise a complaint if I were you particularly given Santander might have competitive products that are of interest to you in the future and you don’t want to be prevented from applying for these if you can avoid it. It sounds like a pretty heavy handed approach they have taken.

Sea_Shell

That is very worrying!! Santander is our main bank, and I've already initiated two switches. I have 2 more I could do, and DH has 4 too.

Not sure I want to play Russian roulette with their algorithms!!

Sea_Shell

@Gavindoc27

I've looked at your posting history and it's ALL about sharing referral codes!!

Are you "abusing" multiple banks??!! Maybe you've been blacklisted!

masonic

While Santander can decide to withdraw their services from any customer because they don't like the way they are running their accounts, what they cannot do is break their own T&Cs.

My understanding is that Gavindoc27 has also been told by Santander that the outstanding claims he has made, which are fully in accordance with the T&Cs, will not be honoured. Santander is not permitted under the T&Cs they have written to decline to issue vouchers if the claimant and/or their referrer has met all of the T&Cs of the switching offer. This action would be in breach of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and the FCAs "clear, fair and not misleading" rules.

Based on the information provided, this is a very surprising outcome, especially as some have reported switching 5 accounts in one phonecall, others have already received bonuses from more switches than what has been deemed "abuse" of the scheme in this instance, and there has even been an account of a couple referring each other 5 times.

If Santander didn't intend people to refer multiple friends, or switch more than one of their own accounts to Santander, then it is clear they are not very good at writing T&Cs. If they would rather punish those who made as much use of the scheme as they could while following the T&Cs to the letter, rather than adequately training their legal team, then that speaks volumes about the bank in my view.

roddydogs

Good on Santander!

youngretired

Were you already a Santander customer or did you open accounts just to receive the gift cards? Also how many accounts did you open to switch your 4 accounts?

As you stated that it was the application team that noticed something, I would probably say that it was due to opening numerous accounts all within a short period.

Anon

youngretired wrote: »

Were you already a Santander customer or did you open accounts just to receive the gift cards? Also how many accounts did you open to switch your 4 accounts?

As you stated that it was the application team that noticed something, I would probably say that it was due to opening numerous accounts all within a short period.

Their system blocks applications once you have 5 accounts - if their rules and system wanted to block you at one account, or a number in between, then they have that technical capability.

I agree it is worrying for anyone waiting for vouchers (or indeed have received them already - customers can't reverse whatever process we are in), particularly if we have submitted multiple claims, but I think everyone has been careful to follow the T&Cs as stated. If they are now going to change the T&Cs or introduce new hurdles/interpretations outside the T&Cs, then that is indeed worrying (and illegal?).

colsten

Sea_Shell wrote: »

@Gavindoc27

I've looked at your posting history and it's ALL about sharing referral codes!!

Are you "abusing" multiple banks??!! Maybe you've been blacklisted!

It's true that gavindoc27's posts are predominantly about referrals but I couldn't see a single post in which he offers to share referral codes. Doing lots of referral offers isn't the same as abusing banks. What would be abuse, and actually illegal, is if banks shared information about referrers and referees. I doubt they would even have an interest in doing this, though, not to talk about them actually doing it.

soulsaver

gavindoc27 wrote: »

As a warning, I have had my accounts blocked/closed and am no longer welcome to bank with Santander. I was not given much information other than that I had "abused" the referral system which was spotted by the applications team. Today I received a letter giving me 28 days to repay overdraft balances (already done) and confirming the withdrawal of Santander banking services for me.

I made 4 claims in respect of switches in (of which I received 2 vouchers to date) and have not received any payments in respect of referrals. I had 2 switches in pending but these were never claimed. To be absolutely clear, I did not refer myself, refer more than 5 people, or false people or anything like that. But I can only assume they spotted something and took a hardball approach; whether they will be linking the chain I do not know.

I cannot be bothered pursuing this matter further, but just wanted to warn people in case anyone else finds their banking suspended.

How were you first informed your accounts were 'blocked/closed'?

bristolleedsfan

Anon wrote: »

Their system blocks applications once you have 5 accounts - .

Santander allow people to open up to 5 Current Account ( other Banks allow multiple number of accounts to be opened) they can hardly complain when people do just that and switch those multiple accounts for incentive reasons when no apparent limit has been put into incentive T+C limiting number of incentives that will be paid.

Two calls running I was asked if I had switched from same Bank before, the following call last week I asked to switch 2 accounts from same Bank and following call I asked same thing then added third switch at the end.

I have had more switches paid than the person who has been told he has abused referral system


When I phoned HSBC, I was asked why I wanted to open a second account, whilst they were happy as to my answer that I wanted to switch existing account to Santander whilst keeping regular saver they did ask the question, if Santander take issue with me taking full advantage of its RAF T+C ( or lack of them) I will ask Santander as well as other specific complaint question as to why they think someone needs more than 1 account of same current account type.