Abbey National

[suzannet]

Hi,
It's Suzannet again, still tryting to get the hang of this system and feeling like a complete luddite!

I am actually taking over my husbands affairs with regards to Abbey National. Enough said about that one for now!

We both went to his local branch on Friday the 30th June and spoke face to face with an employee. The purpose of our visit was to pay enough money into his account to cover his overdraft and any inpending charges and interest. Seems straight forward enough. They had written 2 months before and stated that they would take away his overdraft facility, after several failed attempts to work out a reduction plan over the phone with India we took out a loan to pay the overdraft and arranged to have his salary paid into my bank account.

So....back at the bank. We went with a letter to request details of his bank charges - as per your data request template and a £10.00 cheque (which I asked not to go into his account as it may get lost amongst charges etc but be paid directly to the team concerned.)
We also asked:-
a)Can we arrange for me to have authorisation on his account. (I know I arranged this with HSBC for my mum when I went travelling.)
b) Can we cancel any standing orders or direct debits on this account now.

The answers came:-
A)No, not possible unless you put the account in your name as well.
B)No, you have to phone India for that we can not action at your local branch. (This I did question as it seems ridiculous)
CAN ANYONE LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT PLEASE.

So.........Back at the house we attempted to call Abbey with no joy as all lines busy. The following Monday Andy called and spoke with a customer service guy who did cancel the DD &SOs but stated categorically that we could have cancelled them in the branch! Nothing new there then.
Apart from the fact that we then get a £35.00 charge for a SO that we failed to cancel in time. So, I'm back on the phone again on the 6/7/06 to India who, after much wrangling, the inability to find a manager on duty etc, etc, refunds the charge.
However...I thought it wise to check all was ok with the account and that the money we had paid in to cover EVERYTHING as advised by the branch employee, was in and all was well. Good job I checked. The money had gone in but we still have a deficit of £12.97 that seems to have come from nowhere. Of course they couldn't accept payment over the phone to pay this, that would be too easy. We have to go and pay it into a branch! We have until the 16th to do this so that's on my 'to do' list for next week. Although we still have no idea what it's for.

However, we did hand over the charges request letter on the 30th and walk away with a receipt so we shall see what happens next.

One of our major problems is that telephone banking reports one balance figure, the ATM another and the branch something different again. There is no way we can keep abreast of the financial situation as no sooner do we get a balance to work with, charges appear and the goal posts move. What a mess.
Sooz

[crusty git]

Ouch It must feel like fighting a large bowl of custard!
I think that if your husband writes to them and gives his authority for you to act on his behalf they will have to deal with you.
With respect to the latest charge I would let it go, they will have to disclose it under the Data Protection Act and if its unlawful you can reclaim it

J

[suzannet]

Hi Crusty Git,

Thanks for your feedback. I'll get hubby to write a letter asap.
Sooz

[mechs]

Originally Posted by suzannet

a)Can we arrange for me to have authorisation on his account. (I know I arranged this with HSBC for my mum when I went travelling.)

Suzannet,

Ways that someone can manage your affairs on a temporary basis

Bank accounts

If the only temporary power you want to give someone is the power to operate a bank account on your behalf, you should just write to your bank. Many banks have their own form, called a form for third party mandate, which they will ask you to complete and return to them.

Info found here