Switching back from Lite to 1I2I3

[Deleted User]

RG2015 said:

Hammer_Time said:

RG2015 said:

colsten said:

tempus_fugit said:

I’m finally moving away from Santander following successive reductions in the “benefits” and increases in the fees. The final nail in the coffin came today when, yet again, they are threatening to remove my debit card because I “haven’t used it”. I assume they are insisting that I physically go into a shop to use it (not good in these times) as I use it online but that doesn’t seem to count. As far as I am aware they are the only bank that do this. Will be switching to First Direct at the end of the month.

The only time I have ever used my remaining Santander debit card in the last 8 years is very, very occasionally for an online transaction. I have had no communication from Santander threatening to remove my debit card.

Got a letter this morning saying they were not going to send me a replacement debit card unless I used it at least once before 20 December.

I only use my debit card to withdraw money from ATMs, how will you be able to get cash from Santander? 

The letter said that they had noticed that I hadn't used my card for some time, so they just wanted to make sure that I still needed it. They went on the say:

If you want us to send you a replacement card when it expires

Simply use the card to

• make a purchase ; or
• withdraw money from a cash machine.

Hardly a big task

brewerdave

RG2015 said:

Hammer_Time said:

RG2015 said:

colsten said:

tempus_fugit said:

I’m finally moving away from Santander following successive reductions in the “benefits” and increases in the fees. The final nail in the coffin came today when, yet again, they are threatening to remove my debit card because I “haven’t used it”. I assume they are insisting that I physically go into a shop to use it (not good in these times) as I use it online but that doesn’t seem to count. As far as I am aware they are the only bank that do this. Will be switching to First Direct at the end of the month.

The only time I have ever used my remaining Santander debit card in the last 8 years is very, very occasionally for an online transaction. I have had no communication from Santander threatening to remove my debit card.

Got a letter this morning saying they were not going to send me a replacement debit card unless I used it at least once before 20 December.

I only use my debit card to withdraw money from ATMs, how will you be able to get cash from Santander? 

The letter said that they had noticed that I hadn't used my card for some time, so they just wanted to make sure that I still needed it. They went on the say:

If you want us to send you a replacement card when it expires

Simply use the card to

• make a purchase ; or
• withdraw money from a cash machine.

Had that recently with our joint Lite account - I hadn't used the debit card at all since issue other than for online payments. Bit of a pain to have to draw cash to keep it active - and a little insensitive when many people are still shielding.

colsten

brewerdave said:

RG2015 said:

Hammer_Time said:

RG2015 said:

colsten said:

tempus_fugit said:

I’m finally moving away from Santander following successive reductions in the “benefits” and increases in the fees. The final nail in the coffin came today when, yet again, they are threatening to remove my debit card because I “haven’t used it”. I assume they are insisting that I physically go into a shop to use it (not good in these times) as I use it online but that doesn’t seem to count. As far as I am aware they are the only bank that do this. Will be switching to First Direct at the end of the month.

The only time I have ever used my remaining Santander debit card in the last 8 years is very, very occasionally for an online transaction. I have had no communication from Santander threatening to remove my debit card.

Got a letter this morning saying they were not going to send me a replacement debit card unless I used it at least once before 20 December.

I only use my debit card to withdraw money from ATMs, how will you be able to get cash from Santander? 

The letter said that they had noticed that I hadn't used my card for some time, so they just wanted to make sure that I still needed it. They went on the say:

If you want us to send you a replacement card when it expires

Simply use the card to

• make a purchase ; or
• withdraw money from a cash machine.

Had that recently with our joint Lite account - I hadn't used the debit card at all since issue other than for online payments. Bit of a pain to have to draw cash to keep it active - and a little insensitive when many people are still shielding.

But cash withdrawal is just one of the options given - making a purchase is another. As I have commented earlier, my experience is very different to the OP's, as I only ever used my Santander debit card online and I have not had a 'threat' letter. To re-vitalise your card, you could probably just deposit £1 into an NS&I Direct Saver.

RG2015

brewerdave said:

RG2015 said:

Hammer_Time said:

RG2015 said:

colsten said:

tempus_fugit said:

I’m finally moving away from Santander following successive reductions in the “benefits” and increases in the fees. The final nail in the coffin came today when, yet again, they are threatening to remove my debit card because I “haven’t used it”. I assume they are insisting that I physically go into a shop to use it (not good in these times) as I use it online but that doesn’t seem to count. As far as I am aware they are the only bank that do this. Will be switching to First Direct at the end of the month.

The only time I have ever used my remaining Santander debit card in the last 8 years is very, very occasionally for an online transaction. I have had no communication from Santander threatening to remove my debit card.

Got a letter this morning saying they were not going to send me a replacement debit card unless I used it at least once before 20 December.

I only use my debit card to withdraw money from ATMs, how will you be able to get cash from Santander? 

The letter said that they had noticed that I hadn't used my card for some time, so they just wanted to make sure that I still needed it. They went on the say:

If you want us to send you a replacement card when it expires

Simply use the card to

• make a purchase ; or
• withdraw money from a cash machine.

Had that recently with our joint Lite account - I hadn't used the debit card at all since issue other than for online payments. Bit of a pain to have to draw cash to keep it active - and a little insensitive when many people are still shielding.

I would have thought that an online payment would qualify as using the card to "make a purchase".