Sainsbury Bank impossible to close account

Tom99

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

LOL! Of the 15 cards I have, only four are used on a regular basis, and only a couple of them on a day-to-day basis. Nevertheless, I keep all the others open (I might have a tidy up at some point). Most of them are paperless. So, when asked which of these cards, listed alongside others that I don't have, has a specific credit limit are you suggesting I keep the call-centre clerk on hold while I furiously log on to all the accounts which I operate online (two of them are offline, paper-based) to ascertain which one has the stated limit?

This sort of thing might be alright for people with a couple of cards, but most of us these days have numerous cards. And, I'm told the questions can be about other aspects of your (CRA recorded) finances, such as current balance and last transaction.

I find the only way to deal with these questions is to have a copy of my credit file open at the same time, noddle or something similar.

Exodi

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

You've obviously never come across the buffoonery that is the Experian validation checking service or whatever the hell stupid name they've got for it.

I have, somewhat frequently also.

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

The questions are multi-choice along the lines of "which credit card account has a credit limit of £5,500: Halifax, Ulster bank, MBNA, ... [several others possibly listed]", followed by perhaps two more questions potenetially as difficult to answer correctly.

And these questions are difficult to answer because?

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

I have every simpathy with the OP. The likes of Sainsbury's Bank seem intent on making life difficult for their customers.

By making it so not every tom !!!! and harry can access your account?

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

Really? At the moment I have 15 active credit cards and without looking at a statement I couldn't be sure to give a correct answer on any one them, though I could hazard a guess - which is, of course, not good enough.

Then you're hardly reflective of a typical consumer - I have one, typical consumer may have 1-3? I also am unable to fathom that you'd genuinely be unaware or unable to locate this information quickly.

It's seems to have been lost that the purpose of these questions is to protect these accounts, not just so Sainsbury's can have a good laugh at your inconvenience. From what you've said, they seem to do a good job at keeping people out that don't have a clue about their banking details.

Tom99 wrote: »

I find the only way to deal with these questions is to have a copy of my credit file open at the same time, noddle or something similar.

Excellent, so pseudo-two factor authentication. Or would it be preferred that you can just login with your name and address?

[Deleted User]

Tom99 wrote: »

I find the only way to deal with these questions is to have a copy of my credit file open at the same time, noddle or something similar.

Good point, but I guess the vast majority of people in this country don't access credit reporting online. In fact, I saw recently that most adults don't know anything at all about credit reporting.


Thankfully, the number of times you are likely to be faced with these questions is low. That's no consolation for the OP, who will need to contact Sainsbury's 'Bank' in writing, I should think.

Exodi

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

Good point, but I guess the vast majority of people in this country don't access credit reporting online. In fact, I saw recently that most adults don't know anything at all about credit reporting.

The vast majority of people in this country also don't have 15 credit cards.

[Deleted User]

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

LOL! Of the 15 cards I have, only four are used on a regular basis, and only a couple of them on a day-to-day basis. Nevertheless, I keep all the others open (I might have a tidy up at some point). Most of them are paperless. So, when asked which of these cards, listed alongside others that I don't have, has a specific credit limit are you suggesting I keep the call-centre clerk on hold while I furiously log on to all the accounts which I operate online (two of them are offline, paper-based) to ascertain which one has the stated limit?


This sort of thing might be alright for people with a couple of cards, but most of us these days have numerous cards. And, I'm told the questions can be about other aspects of your (CRA recorded) finances, such as current balance and last transaction.

To be honest, your lack of organisation isn't their issue.

Look at statements, look at your credit files etc.

NaughtiusMaximus

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

LOL! Of the 15 cards I have, only four are used on a regular basis, and only a couple of them on a day-to-day basis. Nevertheless, I keep all the others open (I might have a tidy up at some point). Most of them are paperless. So, when asked which of these cards, listed alongside others that I don't have, has a specific credit limit are you suggesting I keep the call-centre clerk on hold while I furiously log on to all the accounts which I operate online (two of them are offline, paper-based) to ascertain which one has the stated limit?

This sort of thing might be alright for people with a couple of cards, but most of us these days have numerous cards. And, I'm told the questions can be about other aspects of your (CRA recorded) finances, such as current balance and last transaction.

Think you'll find most people have a lot less than 15 cards. There's no logical reason at all not to close the ones you don't use.

[Deleted User]

!!! wrote: »

To be honest, your lack of organisation isn't their issue.

Look at statements, look at your credit files etc.

LOL again!!! Yes, at this precise moment I'm compiling a list of all my credit limits, dates of account openings and sundry other difficult-to-remember items of data. I'm going to have it framed and place it over the fireplace, just in case ….


I'll make one more observation: on this board the consensus is that everything banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions do is to protect their customers; they have your best interest at heart, all the time. Aren't they marvellously benevolent! This, of course, is extreme bulls***t. The ONLY care they have is for themselves. They don't give a flying f.. about their customers, provided there's a steady stream of new ones. Sorry, but that' the reality. I know some of you will find this immensely disappointing, but such is life.

DCFC79

Regarding the OP, the bank are being cautious that the person accessing the savings is you the account holder, you would be pretty miffed/angry/annoyed if someone accessed the account and took the money with hardly any security what so ever.

[Deleted User]

DCFC79 wrote: »

Regarding the OP, the bank are being cautious that the person accessing the savings is you the account holder, you would be pretty miffed/angry/annoyed if someone accessed the account and took the money with hardly any security what so ever.

Of course - notwithstanding my previous remarks. However, the OP is alluding to the point that Sainsbury's is a bad bank. I concur with this, based on my own experience and from what I've heard from others.

Tom99

johnsmith1890 wrote: »

Good point, but I guess the vast majority of people in this country don't access credit reporting online. In fact, I saw recently that most adults don't know anything at all about credit reporting.

Thankfully, the number of times you are likely to be faced with these questions is low. That's no consolation for the OP, who will need to contact Sainsbury's 'Bank' in writing, I should think.

A secure message should do the trick.