Santander Refer a Friend

swindiff

Still waiting from end of March

masonic

gavindoc27 wrote: »

In hindsight I agree the overdrafts were likely a red flag. Of course, they didn't have to grant them and could simply have demanded immediate repayment (which I did as soon as I finished the call telling me I was no longer welcome). Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's anything against using overdrafts in connection with these referrals? I think the overdraft offer is simply for switching regardless of a referral.

There's nothing in the referral offer T&Cs that would permit them to refuse to honour the vouchers you have claimed.

Anyway, I was informed that repaying them was of course required (letter I received afterwards actually states 28 days) but would not unblock my accounts. Still not welcome. So I still don't think I broke any rules, but certainly something to avoid (along with opening multiple accounts) to be safe.

Their T&Cs state they should be giving 30 days notice for repayment of your overdraft, although this is not required if it would be "reasonable" for them to do so without this advanced notice.

I don't think they have any justification to freeze your accounts. They should have given you 2 months notice of their closure, but you should be able to continue to use them in the mean time.

gavindoc27

Ed-1 wrote: »

Can you post an image of the letter (blanking name and address)?

The letter does not state anything about referrals, just "reviewing additional information". As I've said I am going to check CIFAS (mentioned at bottom of letter) in case there is something else going on here, in which case apologies for false alarm.

masonic

To me that looks like the sort of letter you receive when a bank decides that keeping your accounts open would be unlawful, which would explain why they "need to withdraw your banking facilities immediately", and suggests there is more to this than meets the eye.

Anon

gavindoc27 wrote: »

The letter does not state anything about referrals, just "reviewing additional information". As I've said I am going to check CIFAS (mentioned at bottom of letter) in case there is something else going on here, in which case apologies for false alarm.

It would be worth checking your credit reference files? Free through ClearScore, MSE Credit Club and Noddle (to cover all three main agencies).

They may not reflect any Santander reports yet but they may indicate any other issues.

Ed-1

gavindoc27 wrote: »

The letter does not state anything about referrals, just "reviewing additional information". As I've said I am going to check CIFAS (mentioned at bottom of letter) in case there is something else going on here, in which case apologies for false alarm.

I'd SAR CIFAS, National Hunter and Synectics Solutions.

National Hunter flags if more than 4 applications using the same address are submitted to it within a 4 month period.

Santander submit all applications to NH. So it may be a case that your 5th application has been flagged by NH and then they've spotted your switching activity on reviewing why your 'application velocity' is high.

It's rarely just one factor that leads to closure decisions. It's generally one of these databases that acts as a trigger for reviewing that when combined with other activity makes them do it.

You have provided the same information on all applications haven't you?

bristolleedsfan

Ed-1 wrote: »

National Hunter flags if more than 4 applications using the same address are submitted to it within a 4 month period.

https://www.nhunter.co.uk/howitworks/


"The application information we hold is used to help financial organisations concerned determine whether the information contained within the application form is accurate. If it is not accurate, this could be because the person making the application is attempting to commit fraud, or it could be that someone is attempting to impersonate an innocent person."

Sea_Shell

Velocity checks...every day's a school day!!

YorkshireBoy

Ed-1 wrote: »

National Hunter flags if more than 4 applications using the same address are submitted to it within a 4 month period.

Must be a recent years policy? I've regularly done more than that over that timescale, peaking at 22 for 17 current accounts (for the YB/CB offer just over 4 years ago) and 5 credit cards, with just one credit card declined.

Ed-1

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

Must be a recent years policy? I've regularly done more than that over that timescale, peaking at 22 for 17 current accounts (for the YB/CB offer just over 4 years ago) and 5 credit cards, with just one credit card declined.

As far as I'm aware, by 'flags' it just mean it alerts the organisation who's submitted the latest application to it. They can just ignore it if they're happy with the application. There's generally no 'markers' left on the database itself (unless the organisation wants to leave the status of the application on the database as 'inconsistent' or 'applicant refer' so it flags future applications from the same applicant). 'Clear' applications stay on for 6 months, 'inconsistent' for 3 years and 'applicant refer' for 6 years.

Also remember that not all organisations submit applications to National Hunter (although Yorkshire/Clydesdale Bank and Natwest group do use NH only). Nationwide only uses Synectics' National SIRA for instance. LBG and Santander use both. TSB now uses both but used to use SIRA only.

Also, it's entirely possible that organisations can set their own matching rules and that that is just National Hunter's default setting.