Been offered £25 by First Direct for "compensation"

Mrs._Jobston

Good afternoon, I got sent a cheque for £25 for a quality of service that "did not meet the standard we would expect".
I called First DIrect and because I couldn't pass security they couldn't confirm if it is genuine. I haven't banked with FD for at least 10 years and as I had a job where I moved a lot, I gave them 3 addresses but they wouldn't accept another try.
They couldn't tell me the reason for sending it, but confirmed they are sending a lot of £25 cheques out. What are they paying out for without being asked to do so by me? Reminded me of PPI claiming season 1 so thought I better not deposit it in case I'm accepting a failure that may be worth more down the road :-)

Any thoughts?

[Deleted User]

It's fine - go ahead and cash it. They're just reviewing old issues of non-compliance.

There's no more to be had by turning down the £25.

[Deleted User]

£25 is a "go away" sum for a small banking error, I had that from Halifax when I cashed two cheques in an ATM and they only took one out of the envelope, after I called to chase it they apologised and sent me that. Almost certainly will be some minor mistake

dunstonh

£25 is the figure typically used where you may have been subject to poor service but they cant tell and its the default goodwill gesture payment.  Many receiving £25 wont have a clue whats its for and wont have suffered the issue that they have looked at.  Its just cheaper to give everyone who may have been £25

Mrs._Jobston

Thanks all. Can't even remember banking with them let alone bad service. Banked :-)