You ain't gonna belive this!!!

Thanks for the advice, Liz and expat. At this rate, I'm going to ask for payment in cash--small, unmarked bills (transatlantic cash sent through the mail seems a safer bet than UK banks ), and I'll "deposit" the cash under my mattress. (I'm KIDDING, for those who take every post literally.)

Thanks for the advice, Liz and expat. At this rate, I'm going to ask for payment in cash--small, unmarked bills (transatlantic cash sent through the mail seems a safer bet than UK banks ), and I'll "deposit" the cash under my mattress. (I'm KIDDING, for those who take every post literally.)

Kidding?? Darn I was going to give your advice a try!! 

my husband kept his overseas bank and has a joint one here in uk.When we went to deposit a US cheque in the uk branch we were told 2-3 weeks for it to clear.The cheque cleared the US branch in 7days but the money wasnt creditted to the uk bank for another 7 days, the reason behind this.................................it took the post awhile to arrive with notification!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's official.  I'm going to have to seek legal advise to recoup the funds that were stolen from me.  Phoned the fraud unit AGAIN today.  Was told this time that my claim has not been processed due to the form's having an 'unclear signature'.  BOLLUX!  They were very reluctant to let me speak to my branch and the representative first patched me through to a branch in Derbyshire.  So I phoned back, pretty unhappy by this point.  Finally got s/one at my branch.  Who tells me she will 'investigate the matter'.  Yeah, she will.  B/c I made it VERY clear that I wasn't going to go away until I got my £100 back, with interest.  Then I made an appointment at the CAB down the road to get more advice.  I've drafted a letter to their Customer Relations headquarters to post to them via Registered Mail, which has a log of every call I've made and whom I've spoken with.  It's a long list. 

Do yourselves a huge favour and don't bank with these idiots.

That bites!  Good luck and give 'em hell.

Tell them they've got 48 hours to refund your money or you will complain the Banking Ombudsman, that will freak them out worse than you saying you're getting legal advice.

Tell them they've got 48 hours to refund your money or you will complain the Banking Ombudsman, that will freak them out worse than you saying you're getting legal advice.

Thanks, Britgirl.  They are headquartered in Manchester.  Heaven only knows how many other customers this has happened to, as they post these new cards out activated and ready to use.  Duh!  Why pick peoples' pockets when you can get a seasonal job in the Royal Mail and pinch cards and packages all day?  Bet it's just like a sweet shop for organised criminals. 

Something similar happened to a friend of mine except it was a chequebook that was stolen from a mailbag. Someone I work with had their card details copied by some fraudster and then when the bank cancelled that card and issued a new one  had exactly the same card number AND pin number as the one that had been copied!?!  Think that was Lloyds.

Something similar happened to a friend of mine except it was a chequebook that was stolen from a mailbag. Someone I work with had their card details copied by some fraudster and then when the bank cancelled that card and issued a new one  had exactly the same card number AND pin number as the one that had been copied!?!  Think that was Lloyds.

I think there needs to be a 'Darwin Awards' for stupid business policies and practices.  Seriously, since this happened to me, I've heard from all kinds of people that had completely ridiculous stuff happen to them at the hands of financial institutions. 

One of my work colleagues had her credit card pinched when someone mugged her for her tiny handbag on a night out.  She reported it immediately.  Then watched online at home as charges racked up on the account.  It wasn't cancelled till the next day - after the criminal had made off with over £1,000 worth of merchandise.

Wow!  Thanks, Britwife!  Sent the bank a letter on Monday mentioning the Banking Ombudsman and -what do you know?! - the money was refunded yesterday.  Checked my account last night and there is was  .  Phoned the bank this morning and they said I will receive a letter confirming the 'transfer', as she called it. 

Hey that's great it's worked out for you.  So the magic word isn't please, it's Ombudsman.   

aha! result!