Hi All
I'm on a rant. I have been hiding myself away ticking off the things that are happening since I declared myself officially BR last week. I was in the London Gazette yesterday. Had masses of paperwork to sort out for the OR which I sent over the weekend. My interview is tomorrow. So today I discover Halifax has frozen my account - despite the OR letter saying it is all ok and she was not interested in the account. I have been with them 20 years, never ever in debt with them, got debt from them etc. And just had a basic account. Went to do the weekly shop - my card was taken.
Got home and called the OR who is faxing the Halifax to release my money. I spoke to the BR department at Halifax. And the guy was awful. I was crying on the phone cos I am just so so upset about the whole thing. He asked why I was in BR and I explained briefly everything about the kids, and the situation I was forced into to get them to school. He then said 'I could plead with my local bank manager to allow me a new basic account. As far as Halifax are concerned they are going to shut down my accounts'. He then said 'Oh and it's best not to even think about an account until well after discharge'. Right sorry just got to do this .....
. When you think that Halifax needed I think it was a 13 billion bail out from the government cos of their debt - and they wont keep me on though I have been totally clean with them for 20 years!
Anyway I was terribly upset. I called the Co-op. The lady was fantastic - I explained about the BR and she said the basic account they have is for people like me. I was approved - HOORAY
and I am getting a visa debit. Then had to spend an hour sorting out all the direct debits and disability benefits for the kids. But to Co-Op I say
thank You so much and this will help me start to rebuild mine and my children's lives. You have given us hope when others kicked us in the teeth. Thank you sooooo much.
To all the forum buddies I would say don't go near Halifax with a barge pole. They are so so BR and debt unfriendly no matter what your circumstance. I thought I had a good case to keep my account - but they don't care I am just a number and they do what they do.
I have my interview with the OR tomorrow so find out for definite about the house etc. I am so scared and nervous - but at least once I know I can start planning for the children and me.
Thanks everyone so much. Though I have not posted much over the last little bit I have been reading and it has helped loads. I have felt so so lost at times and scared. But now I know I can have a bank account I am so relieved and I will stay with the Co-Op now for good cos they helped me at my lowest - and that's the sign of a good bank.
I hope you are all doing ok. I read the thread about br discharge and I am inclined to agree a bit with skippy. But what I would say is that BR is exceptionally emotional - it has been for me anyway. I feel like I am on parole - like I am being watched and monitored now. If I don't need that for a year - that would be great. I don't think I deserve to be in this position but I am - and an early discharge would be very welcome to have that 'parole' type feeling relieved. (Not that I have ever been in trouble with the law or anything) For me it is not about learning lessons. I am actually really good at managing money - this was circumstance. And it would be nice to move on and start a new chapter as soon as possible.
I am off to the Halifax to clear my accounts. I am also closing the children's accounts down - their money can go to the Co-Op now.
Have a great afternoon
Poppyfairy [:)]
There's an old zen saying 'Only an empty bowl can be filled'. It means that the moment you think you have nothing left is the moment when growth and progress become inevitable. Everytime you see an empty bowl, think of the potential.
