Problems with Santander overseas call centres

[Rodge2]

Have recently opened an internet account with Santander and now realise my mistake. After putting in the initial deposit, I am unable to put any more money into it. I don't know why, and wonder if I haven't set up a nominated external account, like it keeps tentatively suggesting to me on the website. Why not phone them up and ask what the problem is.
Good idea...dring!...dring!

operative: (eventually) 'How can I help you today?' Nice....err..except she is having trouble pronouncing my name & can't seem to decide whether to call me Mr or Mrs (so alternates between the two).

operative: 'We'll do security. What is your date of birth?'
me: (gives correct answer)
operative: 'What is your national insurance number'
me: 'Oh sorry, don't know'
operative: 'Oh that's okay. Do you have any other accounts with us?'
me: 'No'.
operative: 'Okay, that's security done now'.

How secure is it when I don't know my own NI number (was too lazy to go and get it, if truth be told)

Then we have to get down to the really difficult stuff...
me: 'can you tell me whether I have a nominated external account set up on my account?' Long silence..... then...
operative: 'How can I help you today?'

I am immediately developing that horrible sinking feeling as I try to speak slowly and hope she might understand me. Alas, not to be. Such a pain to have to close it and open one elsewhere. Anyone know who has call centres in this country? And pays a reasonable rate of interest?

[Buenchico]

Try calling at a different time of day. You might well get through to a UK call centre:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/...icestershire-11407596

Alternatively, both Halifax and NatWest use only UK call centres.

To be fair to Santander, when someone nicked £800 out of my savings account (by making three card withdrawals in a part of the country which I hadn't visited for many years, and even though my card had never left my wallet), their system picked it up before I was even aware of it. They contacted me to check that I'd not made those withdrawals, then refunded the money to my account without any hassle.

Chris

[dotty.]

Have you ever spoken to someone face to face and as you started mentioning a subject they held up their hands and feigned the sign of the cross at you as if they were warding off evil? Imagine that is what i am doing right now.

[237SJ]

When I have phoned Santander I have usually got a UK call centre. By the way I have an internet ISA with them and I have to have a nominated account for them to transfer money to/from. It doesn`t have to be a Santander account.

[Rodge2]

Have you had problems with them too, Dotty? or are you a vampire?

[ubasses]

Try 01908 347056 It's their complaints department in Milton Keynes.

[Rodge2]

Called them this morning and tried to close account. Rep was better at English, but problems still I'm afraid.

operative: 'I am looking at your account, please give me a minute...please give me a minute....... I have closed your account, thank you for calling Santander, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, goodbye'

me: 'Hold on, given that the problem is that I don't have a nominated account, how do I get my money back'

operative: 'You need to go into your branch with your card and some identification, and they will give you the money'

Highly unlikely I think, given that it is an internet only account.

Thanks for the number ubasses, I tried them and got someone British - hoorah - who said it was for credit dard complaints, but tried very hard to help me nevertheless. He could not find a number in this country I could phone. He suggested writing, but I pointed out there is no address given on the internet. He looked at his files and agreed that he didn't have an address either for savings complaints or enquiries. He suggested going into the branch to see if they could help even just to give an address. I tried to get the number of my local branch from directory enquiries, but got another overseas call centre number again.

All I can think of is to approach the branch. Failing that I suppose I could just use the machine to take out £300 a day for quite a while! Let this be a warning to people reading this!

[Rodge2]

Went into the local branch and they could not have been more helpful. Gave me my dosh, closed the account, no arguments, lots of charm. Such a pity they are being let down by the telephone service. I suppose they can only offer a good interest rate if they cut costs somewhere. Not sure where to go with my money now.