Employment checking

Scotty123_2

I applied for a new flexaccount with Nationwide (see if I can get a debit card this time) and put I was full time employed, address, all those details etc. Do they actually check these though? And if so, how so? Do they phone up your employer just to confirm or employer has to send a special letter? Anything? I am just curious really. I only started working there last month too so I hope that doesn't affect my 'credit status' as it is a decent paying job.

chilli_dog

dont worry about it,

Ive had about four bank accounts in the last couple of years, im not dodgy or anything just getting better deals, the only bank that called my employer was Halifax and that was a quick does he work here full time thing. They wont check your wages or anything

Scotty123_2

Well nationwide sent me a letter today and they said I could have a 500 pounds over draft(don't intend to use). Nothing about a debit card though which is what I really want .

Though if I am accepted for the overdraft then surely they will let me have a debit card?

Alfie_E

Scotty123 wrote:

Though if I am accepted for the overdraft then surely they will let me have a debit card?

Yes. But, if somehow you manage to end up with a card that's only a cheque guarantee and cash machine card, and not also Visa debit card, it's only a case of asking them them to change it to the full Visa debit card.

Scotty123_2

Hurrah, received my debit card in the post from Nationwide today. I thought they would send me a cheque book too but they didn't, I have to ask for one?

Alfie_E

Your chequebook will have been posted under separate cover. As your debit card is also your cheque guarantee card, it would be a very bad idea for the Nationwide to send both out in one envelope. Similarly, your debit card/cash card PIN will be sent separately. Expect them to turn up next week. If your chequebook hasn't arrived towards the end of next week, then you would want to inform Nationwide that you haven't received it.

Scotty123_2

A question concerning over drafts. My overdraft is 500 pounds. Does that mean at -500 pounds, I can no longer take any cash out? or can the account keep going more and more into negative? Or is there an absolute limit? Obviously if it can, once it's gone past the -500 mark, it becomes an unauthorised overdraft.

Alfie_E

The account can keep going more negative. I don't think a Nationwide cash machine will normally let you go beyond your authorised overdraft, but I've never tried it to find out. I'm sure others on the forum will be able to say if this is definitely the case. Other cash machines might let you. This is especially true of cash machines abroad, which usually don't have access to your available balance, and where the transaction can take many days to reach your account. Also, cash machines in this country can be set to dispense small amounts, when they have temporarily lost their network connection, and so also can't see your balance.

Similarly, purchases made with the Visa debit part of the card, and cheques guaranteed with the card, can take you over your agreed overdraft limit. The only technical way to almost certainly avoid an unauthorised overdraft is to use a "basic bank account". These have no chequebooks, and cards that can only be used "online" - that is, where the card-processing machine has to be in contact with the bank at the moment the transaction is made.

There is no absolute limit. But, any bank will take more and more steps to stop you, if you go grossly over your limit.