NatWest Switch Gone Wrong

[Deleted User]

You only need to be worried if you have indeed been up to no good.

deadmaninc99

I’ve definitely not done anything wrong. I’m just struggling to understand what’s happened. I’ve woken up this morning to find that as part of the switch, my old bank account is now closed. Why would NatWest continue with the switch?
I’ve done a bit of research, and this isn’t the first time NatWest have left someone without a bank account. I understand the need to be safe with the way financial crime can be committed in this day and age, but if they closed the account, why didn’t they tell the switch team?

Ed-1

deadmaninc99 wrote: »

Well I’ve had the letter notifying me of the account being closed. That’s it. And I’m not allowed to know why, which is fine, but will now have sleepless nights and be highly stressed as I’m worried that I’m under investigation for fraud or something after some of the comments about CIFAS markers. I’ve done nothing wrong, but can I be arrested etc? This is a horrible situation for me now and I’m really worried about it all.

Post an image of the letter on here.

DCFC79

Ed-1 wrote: »

Post an image of the letter on here.

And obviously block out any details eg name, address etc.

Ben8282

Under the circumstances would suggest you stop complaining and get yourself a new bank account opened ASAP,
Get in touch with the old bank and get the old account re-opened (assuming they still want you as a customer).

deadmaninc99

I'm not sure how to post an image so I will type it word for word. Please bear in mind this was dated Monday 21st October, received on Thursday 24th October and after I received my card and PIN. I have since been into branch as described in the letter with relevant ID, not been given my money and today I received confirmation that the switch has taken place and my bank account with my old bank is closed:


"Thank you for your recent request for a NatWest SELECT ACCOUNT. We regret that after careful consideration on this occasion we are unable to progress with your application.

Why your application has been declined
When we were processing your request we carried out the standard security checks as described in the 'Your Information' section of the application. We are sorry, but following these checks we have found that you do not meet the criteria required to open a NatWest account.

As your account has a credit balance, please contact one of our branches within 14 days to arrange collection. Before we can release any balance we will need proof of identity. You should bring one of the following with you to a branch:

current signed passport
current UK photo card driving licence (full or provisional)
full paper UK driving licence
HM Armed Forces I card or police warrant card
National ID car (for EU Nationals)
pension book

If you would like to appeal this decision and you have further information you would like us to consider, call us on 0800 161 5161."

I've phoned that number twice, both times the wait was a long one, over 35 mins and over 50 mins. When I have been in to a branch with more than one form of ID, they have failed to release my money. Not sure if I mentioned it before or not, but on one email I received, they had my partial postcode wrong. Of the 3 digits they quoted, not 1 was part of my postcode. Whether this is part of it or not, I do not know, as I checked my application and the information on the NatWest system in branch was correct as well.


Will go into a branch again this week to try and get my money, but any more helpful comments or advice is appreciated. It is easier said than done, but I am trying not to worry or panic, but does it not seem odd to anyone else that they have sent this letter yet continued to complete my switch in full including closing my old bank account?


Under GDPR regulations, once this is sorted, I will be requesting all my data is deleted from their systems.

deadmaninc99

Ben8282 wrote: »

Under the circumstances would suggest you stop complaining and get yourself a new bank account opened ASAP,
Get in touch with the old bank and get the old account re-opened (assuming they still want you as a customer).

I understand what you are saying, but that's not helpful. I'm looking for advice on getting my money back, the wages I earned to pay my bills. I already visited my old bank and asked them to block the switch but they could not and NatWest refused to block it as well. And even if I did open another bank account, I have not got my money anyway.
After visiting NatWest, I will go to my old bank and try to get my old account re-instated, but I don't know if that is even possible. Worth a try though.

DCFC79

When you went into branch did you take the letter with you ?


Take a photo of the letter and upload it using imgr or photobucket.

[Deleted User]

You can't "reinstate" a closed account.

You need to apply for a new account again

Ben8282

To think you did all this for easy free money the £150 incentive. Now look what has happened. Perhaps next time you should leave things as they are when they are running smoothly.

I don't know what sort of advice you are expecting to be given beyond go into a branch with ID and collect your money in cash. You have no bank account to deposit it in, the old bank appear not to be interested in retaining your business and where your wages will be paid into in future and where your bills will be paid from is anybody's guess.

From what is written in the letter my guess is that you were not truthful about something in your application and have been caught out.