I have been with Alliance & Leicester since way back when, however
when I moved out of my fathers address I ceased to use the account as my main account. This was because they
failed to update my address when I asked them to, I kept the account open and asked them several times to update
my address, nothing came of it.
A few months back I tried to use my debit card (I send my petrol money into that account by standing order) and it was declined, same at an ATM, although I found that my other cards were also failing to work in an ATM. I couldn't even get a balance, just the message that 'Your card provider has declined to allow this transaction', a little worried that something had gone badly wrong somewhere I phoned both Alliance & Leicester and HSBC. HSBC told me my card should be working, there was nothing wrong at their end, Alliance & Leicester told me that there was a problem with the LINK network, and that was why my cards were affected. I thought nothing of it, until a few weeks later I decided to withdraw some money from that account, again the ATM said no. I went into my local branch to withdraw the cash instead and the cashier was helpful enough to inform me that my card was blocked, probably because the company was phasing out Visa Electron cards. Had I received my new card yet? no because my address had not been updated when I asked them to do so, but she helpgully said that if I had some form of ID she could phone up for authorisation, no problem there, I run an offlicense so I know to carry ID. A quick phonecall later "How much would you like sir?", "How much is in there?", the obvious response. I was then informed that without a working card she could not tell me my balance. Why I can make a withdrawal but not check the balance is completely beyond me, but ok fine £30 a week going in, haven't touched in 5 weeks, so thats £100 but better be careful, I'll have £120. Money in hand, out I go.
Nearly six weeks later my dad drops the post in (not often he does that) and there is a lot of letters from Alliance & Leicester, the first one I open is a statement I've gone overdrawn and Alliance on an account that absolutely cannot go overdrawn. To compound matters, good old Alliance & Leicester have been charging me £25 every five days, shit I can't afford to pay that, and why should I? These charges are not even legally accepted. Next two letters are some fairly intimidating reminder letters about the overdraft I never even knew I had. So I sent them a letter contesting the charges, and reminding them that I have moved house (twice now, in fact, but they still had dads address). In reply I receive, nothing. Not a sausage.
Then I went into a branch to sort it out, was told they can't deal with it in branch, but that there is a customer service telephone in the corner. I used that to speak to an advisor who told me no further letters would be sent to me, and he updated my address (finally), explained that all Bank Charge Complaints had been suspended pending the outcome of the High Court Test Case. I thanked him and left the branch with a couple of things troubling me, but I feel it is always best to get it in writing. When I got home, I sent a letter to Alliance & Leicester, But that's where the background ends, and the more recent stuff starts.
A few months back I tried to use my debit card (I send my petrol money into that account by standing order) and it was declined, same at an ATM, although I found that my other cards were also failing to work in an ATM. I couldn't even get a balance, just the message that 'Your card provider has declined to allow this transaction', a little worried that something had gone badly wrong somewhere I phoned both Alliance & Leicester and HSBC. HSBC told me my card should be working, there was nothing wrong at their end, Alliance & Leicester told me that there was a problem with the LINK network, and that was why my cards were affected. I thought nothing of it, until a few weeks later I decided to withdraw some money from that account, again the ATM said no. I went into my local branch to withdraw the cash instead and the cashier was helpful enough to inform me that my card was blocked, probably because the company was phasing out Visa Electron cards. Had I received my new card yet? no because my address had not been updated when I asked them to do so, but she helpgully said that if I had some form of ID she could phone up for authorisation, no problem there, I run an offlicense so I know to carry ID. A quick phonecall later "How much would you like sir?", "How much is in there?", the obvious response. I was then informed that without a working card she could not tell me my balance. Why I can make a withdrawal but not check the balance is completely beyond me, but ok fine £30 a week going in, haven't touched in 5 weeks, so thats £100 but better be careful, I'll have £120. Money in hand, out I go.
Nearly six weeks later my dad drops the post in (not often he does that) and there is a lot of letters from Alliance & Leicester, the first one I open is a statement I've gone overdrawn and Alliance on an account that absolutely cannot go overdrawn. To compound matters, good old Alliance & Leicester have been charging me £25 every five days, shit I can't afford to pay that, and why should I? These charges are not even legally accepted. Next two letters are some fairly intimidating reminder letters about the overdraft I never even knew I had. So I sent them a letter contesting the charges, and reminding them that I have moved house (twice now, in fact, but they still had dads address). In reply I receive, nothing. Not a sausage.
Then I went into a branch to sort it out, was told they can't deal with it in branch, but that there is a customer service telephone in the corner. I used that to speak to an advisor who told me no further letters would be sent to me, and he updated my address (finally), explained that all Bank Charge Complaints had been suspended pending the outcome of the High Court Test Case. I thanked him and left the branch with a couple of things troubling me, but I feel it is always best to get it in writing. When I got home, I sent a letter to Alliance & Leicester, But that's where the background ends, and the more recent stuff starts.
