A&L error became fraud accusation (Alliance & Leicester)

Member Name: Mike

Product:	Alliance & Leicester
Date:	03/04/09 (124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy to set up account

Disadvantages: their error becomes fraud accusation from faceless callcentre operative

Unbelievable experience with A&L. Within days of opening an account - before all the paperwork had been sent to me - I received a returned cheque that I knew nothing about. Apparently someone had tried to pay £4K into my account, a dodgy cheque.

Very worried that my account security has been compromised in some way (before it's even set up properly), I phoned the customer service number on letter, as directed, but they refused to talk to me as i don't have the pin numbers yet. Went to branch, they said it's probably an error, don't worry.

A week later I call to say I'm still worried, and suddenly I'm being accused of fraud!! A&L are saying Police will be involved (which is good, cos I'm worried here) but also threatening to put "fraud mark" against me, so I'll never get credit again!

I'm trying to get them to investigate on my behalf, worried about identity theft, but all they do is accse me of fraud! "Can you not remember perhspa agreeing to look after some money for anyone? Would you like more time to think about it?"

How dare they?!

A&L? Steer clear.

Summary: Identity theft? Alliance and Leicester answer is to accuse YOU.