Nuggys, I work for a bank too (TSB), if its the same one as me I am quite up to speed with staff rules regarding lending.

Dear All Been reading these posts for a while, I work for a high street bank and have found myself on the wrong end of pay day loans! But now doing ok, still £40k in debt but manageable (staff rate loans!). What I would say is that for those needing a parachute account often the best way of doing this is to use internet banking, for example on Lloyds TSB you can always open a savings account online, no questions asked etc. As for cancelling cards to stop payments this should really work and Im surprised these payments get through. For those who have unwelcome DD's being debited you should be covered by the DD guarantee so that is a source of recourse. Don't want to sound like im teaching anyone to suck eggs......