“Buckle your seatbelts motherf*ckers, cause I’ve just about had it with Santandumb. My boyfriend banks with them and tried to set up online banking, no details were sent to him in the post. His account was subjected to fraud so he had to order a new card. He specifically asked for the pin to stay the same and they’ve f*cking changed it. OH and to add, he’s lost cards in the past and ordered new ones from the same bank. Turns out ALL OF THEM were active, none of them were frozen like asked. If I had the authority I’d be screaming at them down the phone to close his account immediately.”
“Same as anonymous below.
Transferred large sum to my wife, Wed last on completion got a 'transaction successful'.
Wife checked account and not in her account. Went onto my account it was 'blocked' I rang and ended up with security saying I needed to go into a branch to lift, after screaming and shouting they lifted the block and told me to send it again. Went on line and did the transaction again and got 'transaction successful' again.
The transfer was funds toward a motorhome that we were travelling 300 miles to view and buy (after months of looking) hotel booked etc.
She checked her account, you've guessed haven't you ? yep no money. Went onto my account on line, guess what yep right again 'blocked' rang up, got security again and spoke with a manager (A Mr Pratt ☺️) He advised
1- Automatic System stopped payment on first occasion.
2- Their System flagged it and not done with any check.
3- No explanation why I was not told the money I thought I had sent was blocked without telling me.
4- He stated on the second occasion the security dept should have done the transaction, with no explanation why they didn't .
5- Given the second transfer failed I asked why, to be told it was done automatically. I asked how the hell do I do a transaction then, no answer, why wasn't I told, no answer. Just I am sorry.
I lodged a complaint two days later acknowledged.
Summary, account still blocked, no transfer, hotel booking lost, motorhome lost, all because of this pond life called santander.
I am issuing proceedings for losses, damages etc.
I am going to a branch on Monday to close the accounts.
My advice stay away from these cretins, they will reek havoc cause mountainous problems and don't give a monkeys”
“Dreadful experience over the years, recently cards blocked as we were trying to pay our builder for services. Intrusive questions asked. They asked me to visit a branch as they refused to identify me over the phone! My husband had similar experience, was trying to access his isa s and later that day his card was blocked and was asked to visit a branch for second time.....! Dreadful and very stressful experience, after over 20 years with them just want to leave as soon as possible. they treat people appallingly and do not communicate... Once card was blocked and could not pay for petrol...they are poor at communicating....yes definitely time to go for all three of us, including my child with his sizable kiddie isa.”
“Santander recently changed the way they are showing the balance on their mobile app. It feels like santander just trying to hide the exact amount what's available on the person's account.
As you can't separate your actual available amount from the "pending" transactions you simply don't know how much money you have! Very disappointed with santander and for this reason I'm willing to close my account with them.”
“Very rude customer services in Tooting…
Very rude customer services in Tooting Branch. I visited with disable old person for help. She got matured bond and will like to know about bond, They were very rude with her and say visit to other branch, Then old disable lady got identity to operate the account and documents, they Don't like if someone like to transfer money to other bank
I did not like they don't have dignity with old disable person.Headquarter, Bank of England and The Treasury must take necessary action”
“Singularly terrible, stuck in the dark ages, driven by irrelevant process and with people simply so stupid that if they threw themselves at the floor, they would miss!
Go anywhere else....anywhere. Quaffandtipple Ltd did with our £100k a year.”
“I’m not normally one to escalate an issue, but it’s got to the point where I’ve been forced to have a good old whinge about this dinosaur of a bank.
I’ve had some dreadful, dreadful customer service with Santander over the last ten years (aside from other gripes, including terrible customer interface, endless wait times and convoluted, pre-digital processes), but the last few weeks have really been appalling.
A fraud attempt was made on my account for £200 three weeks ago. Nothing out of the ordinary - online fraud happens from time to time. Accordingly, my card was blocked and a new card was ordered.
After nine days without the card arriving, I phoned up to see what was going on. After 45 minutes on the phone (including at least three or four “can I put you on hold while I speak to the manager?”), the customer service assistant ascertained that my bank card had been sent to the wrong address. The address was one I’d never heard of somewhere in central London.
Consequently, I was blocked out of my online banking. Going into a branch with ID to withdraw cash was the only way I could access money, so the following day I went into a branch on my lunch break to figure out what the hell was going on and to get some money.
Although the chap who served me was pleasant and patient, I had to wait just over an hour. During this time, I was made to speak to someone on Bradford on three separate occasions (including being put on hold twice), and it became apparent that the investigation into why my address had been changed was clearly ad hoc. First of all, they thought that the cashier who served me in another branch the previous week (when I was inquiring about the initial fraud attempt). When they realised it wasn’t him, they thought it might’ve been the guy I spoke to over the phone. When they realised it wasn’t the other guy, I was told it was probably more fraud, mate. I was finally able to get some cash out but still didn’t have an answer or access to my account.
(Another thing: there’s no transparency at all. Nothing. At least two operators told me they’d “put my notes on file” for other staff to see, but I still had to explain the long, drawn-out situation to each member of staff. Do they even have a CRM system?)
But anyway, I was told that while the investigation into the change of address was ongoing, I’d have to continue going into a branch to make all my transactions. In the meantime, they would send me new login details via post. My online banking was blocked, and I wasn’t even allowed to make transfers over the telephone (oh, I tried).
I naively assumed the issue had been settled, and that my new card and new online banking details would arrive safely in the post, but this is Santander, after all. No online banking details have arrived, meaning it’s been a full week without any access to or visibility of my account. And to rub salt in the wounds further, the bank has sent me TWO NEW CARDS (caps to signify pure rage and that). At this point, I can’t be bothered to figure out which one has been activated. Knowing Santander, they’ll probably cancel each other out and neither will work.
Throughout this process, I’ve had no official apology. The whole thing took around 5 hours when it literally could’ve taken 20 minutes. I’ve had better customer service from
Avoid this bank at all costs. They’ve spunked millions on a terrible Ant and Dec advert while maintaining Stone-Age people processes that clearly frustrate staff and anger customers.
I would demand an apology and some sort of explanation, but instead, I shall be switching to another bank at the earliest opportunity.”
“Today I went into branch to report 2 payments had been taken from account to pay my credit card. Given a cubicle to do my own calling . One hour later told I may not get double payment returned and will have to wait 20 days. This is hundreds of pounds!!!! Given no explanation as to why it happened. I have only been with them 6 months. This is bad. I will be moving back to my old bank”
“I changed to Santander many years ago when the branch staff were experienced regular advisors. All has changed - I have watched as older customers were " bullied" into using the automated machines instead of receiving help from counter staff. All customers are assumed to depend on the use of mobile phones . Please note that some of us do not walk around constantly looking at these devices. When some of us "seniors" meet difficulties with online banking instead of receiving help our accounts are frozen and it takes more than a week to rectify as Santander rely of the old fashioned method of sending re-set details by post! When I was contacted by customer services as I had been deprived of MY money for over a week ,I was offered a derisory sum of £30-00 . This was raised to £50-00 on my objection. As I had a very large sum deposited in their bank I considered this an insult . I was told it didn't matter about how much money they had of mine. Well thanks Jo- I took this on board and found that other banks would reward me for switching to them for more than £100-00! Obviously they were interested . Guess what I will be doing.”
“Terrable waiting time for customer support never has it ever been less than 15 mins wait without apologies. I mentioned this to the advisor and they said they don't know how long a customer has been waiting.”
“Absolutely terrible banking experience. I decided to move to Santander as I had my credit card with them. I moved over opened a current account and then a few days later had a sum of money added to my account which I was planning to use while going on holiday. When the funds went in I was advised they were on hold for further checks which would be completed by midnight that night. When I went in to look I was blocked from entering my internet banking which had just been set up. I called at 8am when they opened and was advised that the account had been referred to branch. I was enroute to the airport when advised this and would not have time to go to branch before going on my flight. I have been left with no money on my holiday and won’t be able to go to branch until I return home. I’m absolutely disgusted with the attitude and how I have been treated. Horrendous company”
“Poor handling of complaints, lack of communication and a complete inability to do the right thing. If you have an issue with Santander, ring the executive office and insist they don't transfer the call to a department who cannot resolve anything. Insist they deal with the matter themselves. I found J*** on 01908 718 195 very understanding.
Accept nothing less, and keep ringing until it is full resolved”
“Do not open a business bank account with Santander! They used to be good, but they have gone unbelievably bad. So I already have 1 business current account, 1 business savings account, 1 personal current account, 1 mortgage and 1 credit card with Santander. Never defaulted on anything. I have started another business, so naturally applied for a Santander business current account online. I expected result straightaway. But NO. I was emailed for more information. They wanted business plan (I had to create one just for them), all my receipts, my suppliers contact information, my shipping company contact information, my website (they wanted it to be up and running, so I had to create a website). There were 22 email exchanges back and forth which I patiently replied and supplied all the information they asked. Finally after 38 days later......they rejected my application for bank account! It wasn't even a business loan, it was a bank account! I still cannot believe this happened.
I'd give negative 5 stars if there was an option.
My advice is DO NOT apply for business current account here.”
“I had been overcharged on my credit card ever since I opened the account ,the bank thought I don't know but I did know alright. When I called to let them know what was going on, I was told a lot of stupid and crapy story.”
“I called Santander USA customer service, to ask if I could withdraw money from my Santander Bank account that I had in Germany. They said sure, no problem, but that I would have to travel to a branch in the US to do it. So I flew from my home in Minnesota to Philadelphia, the nearest branch. I had to stay overnight, and missed two days of work to make this trip. When I arrived at the branch In Philadelphia, they said I couldn't do it. I was told by the branch manager that I could be reimbursed for my expenses if Santander found my recorded call to customer service.
I just got a call back from Santander in Massachusetts, saying they would not reimburse me because in the recorded call I said I would be in the Philadelphia area anyway. That is a lie. I now have to pursue a civil suit against these crooked liars. I have zero faith in the right thing being done, but I have to try anyway. Beware of Santander Bank!”
“Never use the Santander ATMs un Poland! They gave very unfavorable rāte 3,81 vs 4,22 in nearby Exchange office. Additionally without nitice Santander charged comission 4,95 EUR.”
“Tried to open a bank account with my daughter in Windsor branch ready for college in September, id provided of recent savings account statement and passport but was advised needed driving licence and utility bill in addition. Difficult to provide as she does not have these as living at home without driving licence.
Went to Nat West with same documents and no problem to open account.
Member of staff on reception was very unhelpful and indifferent to trying to help at all.”
