No Overdraft Please

dandock

When my son, who is severely dyslexic, opened and account at Barclays he specifically requested that he not be allowed to go into overdraft. The personal banker verbally acknowledged this request. Despite this he has gone into overdraft (by about £15) a number of times and on two occasions has been hit for a £30 fee plus interest. We have written to Barclays but they maintain that it is impossible to prevent accounts going overdrawn. Any thoughts anyone - apart from keeping writing and being a general pain in the butt!

nickmack

dandock wrote: »

Any thoughts anyone - apart from keeping writing and being a general pain in the butt!

I believe what you're asking is technically possible, but possibly the bank have ignored the request.

Most banks have a 'secret' amount they will allow a customer to go overdrawn before they will actually stop transactions. I believe this could be set to 0 for your sons account but that wouldn't be a very good earner for them would it?

My suggestion is to open a Basic Bank Account which does not allow you to go overdrawn. See this thread:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=319736

sdooley

It is technically possible - they don't let children's accounts go overdrawn because that would be illegal!

Basic bank account is a good call, also check the card he is given - solo or electron 'phone home' every time whereas maestro and visa debit are based on authorised amounts - so can set up overdrafts.

Well done for getting your son some financial independence despite his difficulties.