My 82 year old mum hasn't been too well recently and her local Nat West Branch has closed down and the new one is a nightmare for parking and she doesn't walk too well. She also got caught out by a phone holiday spoof to the tune of a few hundred quid and became paranoid about the company knowing her account details so we decided that maybe a change to a new bank was a good option. Barclays is my and my sisters bank as well and as difficult as it is to talk about if something happens to mum before it happens to me we theorised that if we are all at the same bank things would be easier to deal with, but it has all become a bit of a disaster!! We had a meeting with an advisor who looked into it and after doing her bit on computer stated that mum qualified for a basic account which would not include an overdraft or the option to loan. To be fair mum has plenty of money in her account and gets very good pension and investment returns so the need for an overdraft or loan is highly unlikely as her balance stays pretty much the same each month and it's far higher than my balance is!!! The one thing the advisor forgot to mention though was that mum wouldn't get a cheque book and I wouldn't have know that anyway being a Barclays Current Account holder since I was in my teens!! This was only brought to our attention over a week later when I rang Barclays to ask because mum mentioned she hadn't received one, which we obviously thought was the norm, but was told that she couldn't get a cheque book for a basic account. We then went back for a meeting because this was baffling. It then became clear that mum had been declined a current account (hence the basic) but the reason for why she has been declined is unclear and apparently the advisors do not get told the reason so obviously the customer cannot argue against it. The advisor to be fair did apologise profusely for not explaining clearly and for forgetting to mention the cheque book and said the reason could be something to do with a credit score. I've however checked mums credit score on Experian and it was 999. She has no debts, mortgage paid off years ago, no loans taken out for years if ever as far as I know, plenty of cash in the account and has never had an issue getting credit cards, of which she pays off in full...… Could this be the problem?! The annoyance is that mum relies on her cheque book and is in a muddle and is having to either get me to send cheques for her or she has to withdraw large amounts of cash. The bank suggested waiting a couple of months and when they have seen how the account is managed and that Barclaycards have been paid off etc then they can reapply for a current account. If it is still declined then the only option is to go back to Nat West who have already said she can have a current account with cheque book like she did before, but it will obviously be a pain switching once again and I suspect all of the Direct Debit companies will be baffled as to what is happening!! Barclays have also made a mess up with statements as well with mum not receiving one statement in the two months since the account opened so I am chasing up that as well mum called Barclays Head Office last week and the guy on the phone couldn't understand why she hadn't been given a cheque book so we will wait and see if he gets any joy, although I would say probably not!!! So any ideas as to why this happens? Especially as I as an 18 years old got a current account without an issue and with probably no job at the time albeit 35 odd years ago!! It seems bizarre especially as they hide the reason. I am wondering in part if it's because she is a retired widow so upon first check they may not have known what monthly income she would be receiving but they would have seen from the account surely? Help massively appreciated.

A new folder or just a thread discussing business ideas ? We have all had thoughts about businesses that we could develop, but most will never get around it to, because of the time and/or cost. Or we find that it is already being done or could easily be copied by an existing large company. Sometimes it helps to thrash out an idea, before you waste too much time doing any work that comes to nothing. Is this something that people would like to see on CAG as a separate folder or just a thread in the bear garden ? We seem to have Caggers who are knowledgeable about many different aspects and this can be a valuable resource to have. What do you think ? My latest idea is about a website and/or app which is all about localism. A lot of the current websites/apps are about wider regions, national or international. Sometimes to filter out to your own local area, can be difficult. One part of the site or app could be to connect people who share the same interests. You might have someone living down the road from you who shares the same passion for 1970's glam rock or for needlework. Unless you happen to bump into each other and the topic comes up you would never know. If there was some site or app where people share interests or ask for local information, I should imagine it would be quite popular. It might connect people, who would normally be passers by.

I just wondered if it is normal practice for them to withdraw an appeal before having had any contact (save for the letter acknowledging my appeal). Do they have the right just to withdraw because they want to? Do I not have the right to a hearing even if they are sure they will win?>

ive had a letter today about my wifes loan account which has 7,291.54 remaining outstanding I have requested the CCA and also wrote to Lloyds tsb and requested the SAR. these are still in process at the moment. cabot have received my letter about cca but ive had no reply but they did reply to the other 2 credit cards which I requested the cca for which they said they would hope to have the info within 40 days. t for the loan today I received this odd letter Dear Mrs S****** Contacting Cabot please call 0800 328 0708 (minicom: 01732 524630)urgently, and speak to one of our helpful customer advisors about your account. our aim is to help customers get their accounts cleared so do contact us soon. yours sincerely Chris lambert that's exactly as its been written on the letter it just seems really odd theres no reason why they want to speak to me or anything any ideas peeps?

I received a text yesterday saying message cannot be displayed. I have tried all the usual look up with no sucess, its an 888 number 88850100000018 Any ideas

Hi Everyone, I am suspended awaiting a discipline hearing. My employer said that when I am given a hearing date I cannot resign, but that they would consider it. I asked them to explain and give me details of my contract or the relevant law that they are relying on, they didn't reply. Does anyone know the answer, my opinion is they are talking rubbish, if I hand in my notice, what are they going to do? say " sorry you can't resign, we won't accept it" can't believe they even think they can do it. In that case I could say, I don't accept you sacking me, but I might consider it. Surely resignation is not a two way thing. Look forward to your opinions.

Not sure if this is right place. I decided to try and go for settlement with my creditor in regards to my debt. What would be good ideas to "present" as why i dont want to pay full amount? Obviously because i cannot, but what else can i put down as reason? What would be good catch for my creditor to go for my offer? Thank you in advance

Hi,help needed with PDL company CashChoice with trading name uklenders alliance. Took out the PDL at the end of may with them for £400 and contract was for 28 days with one onoff payment for £520 on 22nd of june. £400 for loan and £120 for interest. Checked my bank account few days later and found out,that money was taken £160 altough all the funds was avalible !!! My alarm bells was starting to ring and i knew that something was wrong,because £160,it`s not the interest,it`s just a odd amount of money??...gived a call to the bank and reporterd my debit card stolen.Went on holiday on 20th july and back in beginning of august i found the e-mail where they are saying that my account is in arrears for £680 on todays date.And they are giving totally different reference number!!! Basically,it looks like they made a deferral without me and my approve to drag out more money!!!I`ve got my contract what states clearly,one onoff payment on 22 of june £400 loan+£120 interest. Any ideas,how to deal with this matter?? Thanks for the replys,

Hello everyone, I’m a member of a nonprofit making organisation and we are looking for ideas in obtaining sponsorship so thought I'd post here to see if anyone has some ideas that might help? Some details of the event: Each year, we organise a Bite Back at Cancer Black Tie Ball, the first Ball was held in 2007, in recognition of two popular divers, Vickie Herrald and Sally Pearson. This event has now become a regular date in our calendars, as a legacy to their wishes and in memory of their positive and loving outlook on life, despite the harsh cards they had both been dealt. The fund raising success of the event has grown year on year, thanks to the generosity of the attendees and also our sponsors in the form of donated gifts for inclusion in the charity auction and prize draws. To date we have raised: · In 2007 the amount was £1,500.00; · In 2008 the amount was £3,000.00; · In 2009 the amount was £6,000.00; · In 2010 the amount was £11,500.00; and · And in 2011 it was an amazing effort reaching £19,500.00. The funds raised are donated equally between two charities that we believe are close to the heart for many people. Marie Curie is one of our chosen charities, as their support is invaluable during the hard times that cancer can bring. The second charity, Bite-Back, is an organisation dedicated to marine conservation and the protection of sharks and aims to reduce consumer demand upon threatened shark and fish species. We are looking for new and exciting things this year and would love to extend our horizons. We are happy to advise that this year's event is being held at the Underglobe at the Globe on the Southbank.... All generosity is gratefully received and certainly does go a long way in helping us raise money for two very good charities, without the kindness of our sponsors, the event simply would not be the tremendous success it is each year. Our sponsors are who make this night such an amazing night out for everyone. We love to have some unique lots in our Charity Auction this year to help freshen up the Ball and to allow for the non divers amongst us to become more involved. If you do, we'd like to advise that your sponsorship could be used in a number of ways, including the auction, raffle draws, casino, or other game or activity held on the night, so no sponsorship is too small or too big and will be greatly accepted. In return for your sponsorship, your company logo and information will be advertised in our event's booklet. This booklet placed at each seat on the night and we also email this to our guest a couple of weeks before the event. As an incentive to encourage clubs and groups of people to attend we are offering a prize draw specifically for group bookings of ten or more people where you'll have the opportunity to win a one day boat charger with Sussex Ship Wrecks. This year’s venue has a maximum capacity of 250 places, so at the very worst each entry will have a 25 to 1 chance of winning! We refer to the various links, within this email, for further information on; previous events, Bite Back Charity, our past sponsors, Marie Curie Charity. All the best