First Trust Referral Charge

declanmcc

Hi Folks,
I'm in the process of abandoning First Trust to move elsewhere - but I was checking my balance online last night and I've noticed that they've put a £14 "REFERAL CHARGE" on it. I went £3.27 overdrawn the other day before moving money back into the account to eradicate this.

I could ring them to find out what it is - but I can't ring 0845 numbers from work and I'm certainly not ringing it from my mobile. It's most likely to do with being overdrawn but has anyone any other ideas as to what it might be?

declanmcc

Just been on their website to try and figure out where the charge came from.
I currently have a 0% overdraft with FT. I withdrew a large amount of money last week to give to my fiancee which I got back on Friday and lodged Friday lunchtime. A Direct Debit came out last week which left me £3.27 passed my overdraft limit.

So it looks like this £14 charge is for them to refer it to someone "to make a decision" as to whether or not my DD can go ahead.

Ridiculous.

Schoolboy error on my part by overlooking the DD - but hell was I punished for it.

Cheerio First "Trust" - and good riddance.

master_blaster_2

dec
ring them up and complain/ explain ... there is a ggod chance they will refund it to u
( i had a few of these in the paast and they refunded some of them to me)

the referal fee is usually applied automaticaly so if u ask it should be refunded to you
good luck

IvanOpinion

I agree with master_blaster. Give them a call and plead ignorance, accidents and a deprived upbringing if necessary If they don't give you your money back then vote with your feet ... but you gotta give them a chance first (these things are all computerised these days).

ivan

Polly

I had a couple of these too, back in the dark old days when I used to bank with First Trust. (You can tell I'm still traumatised by the experience ) I called up each time and asked for them to be refunded and they were. However, the final time it happened, the member of staff said they would do it "one last time" to which I replied that in that case, I would move my account to one which provided better value for money. It did, and I did, and have never looked back. It was sheer laziness that prevented me from moving earlier, but that was back before the days of this site..... :dance:

BigAl94

All of the local banks apply this charge in these circumstances.

Polly

You're right - they do, and they are quite entitled to. However, if we, as customers can get better value for money, we should vote with our feet.

declanmcc

Well ...... I rang their 0845 number at 4.30 yesterday afternoon from my mobile phone. After being put on hold for a couple of minutes I was told that the lady who looks after my account had gone home for the evening and that he would leave a note for her to ring me this morning. So this morning and almost afternoon has passed and still no call. I can't be @rsed to ring them back. They're so disorganised and unprofessional it's untrue. I'm voting with my feet anyway and banking elsewhere very shortly.

thePhilster69

Deccy mate, ditch the First Trust. Did it a year ago, and moved to Smile.co.uk and ain't never looked back. Seriously, internet banking is so much more convenient: I was able to count on one hand the number of times I had been into my branch since I opened my account, and worked out that I wouldn't miss not having a local branch to pop into!!

You can pay cheques into your account in the Post Office or by post (they send you postage paid envelopes as and when you need 'em) too, so still very convenient (in fact, possibly more so as post offices are more common than First Trust Banks).

Anyway, how's things up in Derry??

Phil

declanmcc

Philbur!

Don't worry lad - First Trust are getting the old heave-ho!
I've application forms for Citibank - although Smile could be on the agenda too. Had A&L forms but forgot about them and missed the 30-day deadline to get them back for processing. Eejit.

All's good in Derry. Moved to our new building about 3 weeks ago - quite impressive! 4 months done in here now - it's flown by!

How's tricks in Belfast?