Switching bonuses - do they check?!

What_time_is_it

Hi there. I'm thinking about setting up a switch to Lloyds and/or Nationwide BUT I have previously had a switch bonus from them within the specified time range. In the case of Nationwide it's just a few days out!

Do they check this? I've heard that sometimes banks don't check and they pay the bonus anyway. Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks.

born_again

Yes.
Team will look at notes on the system.

PRAISETHESUN

Depends on the bank, but I can confirm from personal experience that for Lloyds and Nationwide specifically that they do enforce their terms, so if you're not eligible then you are likely not going to be successful if you try anyway

Nasqueron

No-one can say for certain unless they have tried and been rejected.

In theory NatWest group were only paying out for 1 switch but many of us got them from Ulster and RBS as well, if you're inside the date I would expect them to reject it, but I wouldn't say you won't get lucky. Nationwide had a long fight with a member on here about a bonus which went to the FOS over the wording so I suspect they will be the more likely to reject it. If you're talking about a switch say a year ago, I'd say no chance of sneaking through.

WillPS

Lloyds & Halifax - you won't get a second bonus within the time frame on the same brand. Anecdotally you might get lucky if you've had one from the other brand (i.e. you might get a Lloyds bonus if you've previously had a Halifax one) - but it shouldn't be expected.

Nationwide - you won't get a second bonus if you've already had one in the exclusion period - anecdotally you might get lucky if the account you received the bonus on has been closed for some time when you went for another bonus.

Natwest/RBS/Ulster - you seem to be able to get a bonus from them once per brand, but you won't be eligible for another until the exclusion period expires.

TSB - you may or may not receive another bonus. Anecdotally, you probably won't receive another bonus if the account you previously had one on is still open.

First Direct - quite a lot of reports of getting a second bonus having previously had one years before and closed the account.

Co-operative Bank - you won't get another switching bonus if you've had one within the exclusion period. Also, uniquely, Co-op Bank make you self-confirm that you haven't previously received a bonus from them - which puts this the wrong side of fraud attempting it for my tastes.

HSBC, Barclays, Santander - not too many reports so hard to tell

Danske - only one run switching bonus so far

Of course - the rule with all the above is that you won't get one, so if you try and find you don't get anything then you don't have cause for complaint.