Santander Refer a Friend

Alexland

gavindoc27 wrote: »

They were not forthcoming on the phone; only that I was clearly switching purely for bonuses and this was abuse.

How interesting - was there anything about your switches that might have attracted their attention? For example were you trying to switch from the same bank twice or trying to switch from Santander donor accounts?

Alex

masonic

It would be useful to identify why this action might have been taken. Another option is repeatedly switching accounts with nothing set up - no payees, no direct debits, nil balance.

I suspect plenty of people will be switching 2 x Tesco current accounts, so let's hope it isn't that!

gavindoc27

Hi

My intention is not to cause panic/worry, but just to advise some level of caution.

Although I had previously been a Santander customer previously (so had online banking), I did not have any accounts prior to this referral promotion.

Yes, I think my mistake was to open/switch in multiple accounts over a short period. It would have been better to switch several into a single account by phone: it's just I had thought this might seem odd/suspicious in itself and hence did the separate applications.

I was accepted/fully switched into 4 current accounts. My 5th application was rejected. I then noticed I could not log in to online banking and it was when I phoned about this that I was informed my business was no longer welcome.

Other relevant factors:
a) in total the 4 accounts were granted around £1500 overdraft limit which I used for savings given that the overdrafts are free for 4 months after a switch is completed.
b) the accounts switched in were "dummy" accounts with minimal balance, minimal direct debits or standing orders etc
c) other than my transactions to extract the overdrafts there was no further activity on my Santander accounts
d) yes, I do have a history of switching bank accounts for the bonuses - I have done many of these. However, I have never previously received any form of bonus/referral/etc from Santander. It would surprise me if banks were sharing known "bonus hunters" but this is why I am requesting CIFAS etc reports in case they have deemed this abuse and I have been "blacklisted" as someone mentioned above.
e) accounts switched were Monzo, Starling, 2x Tesco

That's all the info I have. My best guess is that the 5th application to switch another account (which was rejected) was when I was flagged and deemed unwelcome.

So, I'd advise against opening multiple accounts over a short period, and perhaps instead switching several by telephone as others seem to have done successfully. Also, perhaps do not take advantage of the free overdraft that comes with switching.

My view on banks is that they are greedy corporations that will happily extract as much money as possible from customers, so morally I have no issue taking advantage of these marketing promotions. I have done similarly with bookmakers over the years. But nothing I have done amounts to fraud or illegality. It's important to note that I was not accused of fraud either, purely "abuse" of the referral system. I imagine they mean I wasn't playing by the spirit of the promotion or some such. If you check the matched betting boards, bookies do this kind of thing all the time. I'm not particularly bothered, but just thought it worth posting anyhow.

Sea_Shell

Thanks for such a detailed explanation.

We're looking to switch in long standing accounts into an existing account (Inc 2 Tesco's). I've done my two over the phone and the handler didn't bat an eyelid.

harz99

gavindoc27 wrote: »

Hi

My intention is not to cause panic/worry, but just to advise some level of caution.

Although I had previously been a Santander customer previously (so had online banking), I did not have any accounts prior to this referral promotion.

Yes, I think my mistake was to open/switch in multiple accounts over a short period. It would have been better to switch several into a single account by phone: it's just I had thought this might seem odd/suspicious in itself and hence did the separate applications.

I was accepted/fully switched into 4 current accounts. My 5th application was rejected. I then noticed I could not log in to online banking and it was when I phoned about this that I was informed my business was no longer welcome.

Other relevant factors:
a) in total the 4 accounts were granted around £1500 overdraft limit which I used for savings given that the overdrafts are free for 4 months after a switch is completed.
b) the accounts switched in were "dummy" accounts with minimal balance, minimal direct debits or standing orders etc
c) other than my transactions to extract the overdrafts there was no further activity on my Santander accounts
d) yes, I do have a history of switching bank accounts for the bonuses - I have done many of these. However, I have never previously received any form of bonus/referral/etc from Santander. It would surprise me if banks were sharing known "bonus hunters" but this is why I am requesting CIFAS etc reports in case they have deemed this abuse and I have been "blacklisted" as someone mentioned above.
e) accounts switched were Monzo, Starling, 2x Tesco

That's all the info I have. My best guess is that the 5th application to switch another account (which was rejected) was when I was flagged and deemed unwelcome.

So, I'd advise against opening multiple accounts over a short period, and perhaps instead switching several by telephone as others seem to have done successfully. Also, perhaps do not take advantage of the free overdraft that comes with switching.

My view on banks is that they are greedy corporations that will happily extract as much money as possible from customers, so morally I have no issue taking advantage of these marketing promotions. I have done similarly with bookmakers over the years. But nothing I have done amounts to fraud or illegality. It's important to note that I was not accused of fraud either, purely "abuse" of the referral system. I imagine they mean I wasn't playing by the spirit of the promotion or some such. If you check the matched betting boards, bookies do this kind of thing all the time. I'm not particularly bothered, but just thought it worth posting anyhow.

Just guessing here, but I would think that multiple new accounts and immediately going into your available overdraft on each one would be the flag...

masonic

Yes, I suspect the overdrafts were key to this outcome.

Alexland

Although we never use overdrafts and have not opened any new accounts Gavindoc27's experience has certainly made me re-evaluate how much we want to take advantage of this refer a friend offer.

So far we have received £200 total for each referring each other to switch into an existing joint account. I have another switch (from a different bank into the existing joint account) finishing tomorrow and am considering if it is worth the risk of claiming it. Santander is our main bank account and if they have toughened up recently it would be a major inconvenience to be asked to leave... hmm...

Alex

soulsaver

Alexland wrote: »

Although we never use overdrafts and have not opened any new accounts Gavindoc27's experience has certainly made me re-evaluate how much we want to take advantage of this refer a friend offer.

So far we have received £200 total for each referring each other to switch into an existing joint account. I have another switch (from a different bank into the existing joint account) finishing tomorrow and am considering if it is worth the risk of claiming it. Santander is our main bank account and if they have toughened up recently it would be a major inconvenience to be asked to leave... hmm...

Alex

I'd have thought the prudent thing to do would be to wait to see if there is a deluge of forumites with issues.. if not, it'll be the o/ds is the issue.

[Deleted User]

I'm sorry to hear you're going through all this with Santander. I can't really see what leg they have to stand on with regards to not paying the referral vouchers if you've met all the T&Cs.

Has anyone else received any vouchers lately? I'm still waiting for a claim on the 10th April and one on the 16th

soulsaver

Luxchr wrote: »

Has anyone else received any vouchers lately? I'm still waiting for a claim on the 10th April and one on the 16th

To date, it's always been later in the week when they appear.

I have 4th April claim not paid yet.