Nationwide - I am not and, now, never intend to be a customer

CyBerman

Last Wednesday evening, at approximately 5.30, the phone rang and a mixture of automated voices said something like "This is Nationwide Building Society and this is a call for Mr P O. If Mr P O is there please press ...." and so the menu continued.

As I am not Mr P O, do not know a Mr P O, and am not a customer of Nationwide I waited for the menu to reach the option for if this is a wrong number and pressed that.

I checked the number on WHOCALLSME.com and found that it is a valid Nationwide number but did nothing more.

The same thing happened at about the same time the following evening and this time I just hung up - or tried to - it took nearly 5 minutes for their call to release my line. Using SAYNOTO0870.com I got an 01604 number for the same office and called that, only for an automated answer of "This office is only open between 9 and 5 Monday to Friday" ... and this was 5.30 on a day before the Bank Holiday weekend.

So, begrudgingly, I took my heart in my hands and dialled the 0845 number, and hung on, and hung on. About 10 minutes later I got a human being who asked for my details which I refused to give as they wouldn’t know me from Adam. I explained my number was, as far as I am aware, brand new never been used before and about 3 months old. “Sorry, they couldn’t help as that office was closed for the weekend”.

I asked for a supervisor, and got one. She gave me the same answer but said she would put a message through to that team. I gritted my teeth and said “OK I’ll endure the annoying calls over the weekend”.

A couple of hours later I then got another call, from a human being this time, asking for Mr P O, I then explained situation again and I was given the same assurance as the previous person I spoke to, but still gritted my teeth for a weekend of annoying calls.

But the calls didn’t come. I’m waiting for half five this evening ….

But apart from the VENT any suggestions of how I can make a claim for my ‘phone charges and perhaps annoyance?
Write to them including a bill for a reasonable cost for writing the letter?

GiveItBack

click the wrong button and clear out mr po's address? then move house?

CyBerman

aknot wrote: »

Mistakes happen, dont try the old compo route as It isnt worth it.

Just add yourself to http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/

Thanks for the advice - but have been a member of MPS, TPS etc etc from as soon as I moved in - didn't (and wouldn't have) help in this case though !!

Although an explanation from Nationwide would be nice .....

CyBerman

GiveItBack wrote: »

click the wrong button and clear out mr po's address? then move house?

Did think of trying that route through their switchboard, but all automated, and would've need his password, pin number or whatever .....

Sooler

CyBerman wrote: »

But apart from the VENT any suggestions of how I can make a claim for my ‘phone charges and perhaps annoyance?
Write to them including a bill for a reasonable cost for writing the letter?

Send proof of the calls - itemised bill, or tell them time and day and they can check their end, state cost of calls.
Cost of paper, envelope, stamp.
Cost of time for taking calls, calling back, writing letter, journey to post letter and return.
Compensation for stress and inconvenience.
State you found the experience very alarming, unerving, distressing, worrying, frightening.

peter_the_piper

Chances are the number, although new to you, has been recycled by BT so there is a more than even chance Nationwide would not know you are a Mr PO.

PBA

Sounds like an automated anti fraud call, someone who is a Nationwide customer has put your number down as their contact number. Don't see why you'd get any money back from them, it was entirely your choice to call...

so2006

I use to get a statment from nationwide on a strangers name, use to pop them in the bin, did know what to do But now have moved!

Brooker_Dave

CyBerman wrote: »

Write to them including a bill for a reasonable cost for writing the letter?

Indeed, demand compensation!!

Brooker_Dave

Sooler wrote: »

Send proof of the calls - itemised bill, or tell them time and day and they can check their end, state cost of calls.
Cost of paper, envelope, stamp.
Cost of time for taking calls, calling back, writing letter, journey to post letter and return.
Compensation for stress and inconvenience.
State you found the experience very alarming, unerving, distressing, worrying, frightening.

OP should get at least £100k for his horrible experiance.