Today's rant is about ......Banks

[craft1948]

Decided to close my on-line ISA account with the Halifax as (a) I want the money to buy something, and (b) the rate is rubbish compared to my other bank accounts.
Couldn't find anything on the site to let me close the account so rang their helpline. I was told I had to go into a branch to close the account. I explained the reason I do all my banking on-line is because I have mobility problems - told to go to a branch.
I said why could they not just send a cheque in the account holder's name to the account holder's address (so no fraud element) - I was told to go to a branch.
Went to a branch today - I was asked for my pass book. Explained no pass book as it was an on-line account. I was then told off for not having a pass book.
Asked for ID I gave them my driving licence (new type with photo)....they then asked for other ID...NO.
I apparently needed 2 types of ID.....asked for manager.....lost the plot.....came home with cheque and dare not go near that branch again..........
Thank you...feel slightly better now.....

[mccfluff]

lol, i can imagine the scene i bet it must of been funny to watch!

now breathe have a large glass of some kind of beverage and call the builder for a massage

[pericat]

I would stick with the offshore accounts craft !

[craft1948]

thanks fluff.....am still slightly hyperventilating.....and very embarrassed.

[jake-the-peg]

Oh dear

I have a postal account with the Nationwide.

The withdrawal slips have a box - tick to close the account

Oh but then they're a building society and not a bank - ho hum

[tamborine]

not rubber I hope - cash it fast!

[craft1948]

don't tambo.....if the bloody cheque gets lost in the post I will go mad.
It's for a few thousand and I actually requested an electronic transfer rather than a cheque but was told they couldn't do this!!!

[jake-the-peg]

I bet they can do an electronic transfer into their bank!

[daffy654]

Banks always require two forms of ID for either opening or closing an account.They should have told you that on the phone when they said you had to go to the branch.

I hope you didn't lose your temper with the counter staff craft,they are constrained by the rules and laws governing banking and cannot make exceptions. My oh is counter staff at a bank and gets abused by members of the public on a daily basis for just doing his job as the law states he must.He has finally had enough of getting a sh1t wage for a very stressful job and is looking for other work before handing in his notice.

[mccfluff]

i'm still cracking up, btw i would of imploded as well!

[snags]

craft... can you lend me £500? A cheque will be fine...

[craft1948]

The Right Honourable Snags of Howler.... lend you....I'd give you....ahem.
No daffy I lost my cool with the manager not the counter staff but still felt bad afterwards.
Jake is right about the electronic transfer though.....I've put money into the account using that method for about the last 10 years.....

[vulcan]

What is it about this country ? H M Revenue & Customs owe me money. After weeks listening to recorded messages, finally rang local office.They informed me they could sort it out and do an electronic transfer to my bank. "great " I thought. He said" that will take seven to ten days to transfer" !

[daffy654]

You'd be amazed at the laws governing banking practice Craft,some of them seem really stupid but they are put into place to prevent fraud and money laundering.
I'm not sure why they can't electronically transfer the funds back to you though,i'll ask the oh when he gets in and post back to you later on that one.

[yogi-bear]

Nice cup of tea......... quick grope of the builders bum, if he's stilll there,...............................

and a treat ( biccy, not another grope, ok?)


Anyone seen ummmm about?

[craft1948]

cheers daffy but it was so easy to open the on-line account....why so difficult to get MY money back...

[daffy654]

Just asked the oh craft and he says there is no legal reason why you couldn't have gotten an electronic transfer,he is convinced the manager has insisted on sending you a cheque as a way to 'get back at you' for losing your rag with them.He also said don't be surprised if the cheque is folded through the cheque number when you receive it making it difficult to process properly through the computer reader.

[craft1948]

thanks daffy..........will just have to stack the money under the mattress in future...