Today's award for the Worst Bank In The World goes to Abbey Business, in the UK.

I phoned them on Thursday...

Me: I'm in the US, and I'm going to be using my bank card over the next few days to withdraw large amounts of money. Is that OK?
Abbey: Yes, that's fine - there was already a note on your account saying that you are in the US.

So, Thursday evening I went and withdrew some money from the cashpoint. Lovely...

Saturday, I go to withdraw some more money, and the card doesn't work. After a few minutes ranting about absolute idiots in the UK Banking business, I paid for an international telephone call to the number on the card, only to find out that they all go home at 1pm on a Saturday.

I go home, and use the internet to check my balance; sufficient money there, but they've cancelled all cards on the account. More ranting and raving.

I ring the lost/stolen cards line to tell them that my cards were NOT lost or stolen - but they can't do anything for me. They can lock cards from future use, but can't unlock them.

So now I'm left without access to that account until Tuesday, when I can get on the phone and call them various names. I can accept them blocking my cards if I *DIDN'T* tell them where I was, but that's exactly *WHY* I rang them. Which specific part of the phrase "I'm in the US" didn't they quite understand?

My second call on Tuesday will be to an alternative bank. Grrrrr.

Labels: Business