Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

[Amethyst]

Tried to call Santander on their business banking freephone number 0800 3282563 to ask them about this but they are busy... so I have tweeted them

Received a letter today, in a dodgy sellotaped shut A4 enveloped with a mobile number ( 07718 121365 ) and a mistype in my name (I'm Mrs not Miss) and address (Perranporth, Derbyshire ??) and a really poor photocopy of a business banking leaflet. Poor quality paper, bad printing, biro signature, staples and highlighted fields for addresses still showing. From ' Andrew Lee ' allegedly.

Feels really dodgy so thought I'd post it up for comments.

I realise it's come from address details off of companies house and that doesn't bother me in the slightest - it's to be expected, but the unprofessional letter surely can't be from Santander ?? can it ?? I can't work out quite what the scam would be if it isn't ?

[enaid]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

Maybe this chappie

https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/d...800/andrew-lee

[EXC]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

I just spoke to Santander in Rickmansworth and although Andrew Lee is the business banking manager there the woman I spoke to said that it was unlikely they would have approached you if you weren't already a Santander customer. I've asked her to have him call me.

Are you a Santander customer and was the letter you got addressed to Celame or you personally?

[Amethyst]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

I couldn't get the branch number, and their business banking number was rammed. I got TWO letters, actually, in the same envelope - one was addressed to you ! Both letters addressed personally, no mention of the company name.

And I haven't been a Santander customer since they were Abbey National (I reclaimed my bank charges and ditched them soooo probably 2006/7 )

[EXC]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

Can you e-mail me my letter so I've got it when he calls?

Not happy.

I got through to Rickmansworth via their main number 08457654321.

[Amethyst]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

I'm pretty sure the business banking manager wouldn't send out letters with his mobile number on?? I know banks are a bit tricky about giving out branch specific contact numbers, but seriously. If I did want a bank account I certainly now wouldn't look at Santander after getting such a shoddy letter.

Your letter is exactly the same as mine but with your full name and address on (but yes emailing it for you xx)

[EXC]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

I'm pretty sure the business banking manager wouldn't send out letters with his mobile number on??

That's what I said to her but she said it wasn't unusual and confirmed that was his mobile number. He's going to call me when he's finished in a meeting.

[Amethyst]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

In that case he seriously needs some marketing training ! I'm sure it must be a DPA breach of some sort sending me your letter. Hand signed too in blue biro. Envelope sellotaped down. Really bad photocopy of 'leaflet'.

He might be in trouble as I tweeted Santander UK the letter on Twitter, though I haven't mentioned I got two in the same envelope.

[EXC]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

I'm sure it must be a DPA breach of some sort sending me your letter.

Indeed especially as they were addressed to us personally. What did he expect you to do with mine? Forward it on free of charge?

[enaid]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

Just have a proper dig, I did over me dads LPA and their shoddy treatment I got £100 and a boquet each for me and my sister. This is a lot more serious imho so go for the jugular and it may keep LB ticking over for a couple months :tinysmile_twink_t2:

[EXC]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

I spoke to 'Andy', why is it that all branch business managers sound like street market traders?

I first asked him where he got our details from which, as I suspected, came from trawling through Companies House for new start-ups. If only he new what we did.

He claimed that the letter to me was sent to you in error as ''you know, the 2 bits of paper might have got stuck together?''.

He didn't seem too concerned that a sales letter from a bank should only have a mobile number as a contact reference and that I expressed that this kind of approach is what one would expect from a dodgy CMC. Apparently he reckons it gives a ''more personal touch''.

Although he apologised I still don't think he quite got the point, not least because at the end of what was a bit of a tense conversation, he seemed to be rather disappointed that I didn't want to discuss opening an account.

[Amethyst]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

Well all they have achieved is I'll consider them LAST if I ever want to change from Lloyds.

I really really thought the letter was a scam (though I couldn't work out what the scam was) hence posting it on here. I tweeted a copy of it too (oopsy).

Very poor show.

[PlanB]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

I realise it's come from address details off of companies house and that doesn't bother me in the slightest - it's to be expected, but the unprofessional letter surely can't be from Santander ?

Celame LLP's full details are on the Companies House website including the Incorporation Document and "Cel's" change of particulars (with her personal details) registered on 13th November. The registration address appears to be EXC's address according to 192.com. You can download the lot on a PDF for £1. I did Nothing is private once you put it in the public domain.

When I registered a company I got letters from HSBC and Barclays Business Banking within days. This was swiftly followed by all sorts of marketing material from website designers to accountancy firms etc. That's why it can be wise to use a Formations Company which supplies an alternative Registered Office facility (for a fee) which will forward correspondence to you.

I don't think Santander have done anything untoward except get your 'salutation' wrong when it addressed you as Miss and not more accurately Mrs. I also wouldn't be suspicious about the mobile number because most major banks outsource their customer services to overseas call centres (except NatWest) and the Business Manager uses a mobile because they often cover more than one branch. I like being able to send mine a text when I feel like it.

[Amethyst]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

As I said originally, I wasn't fussed about them getting my details and sending the letter, that's standard marketing gumpf - I was simply quite appalled at the quality of the letter they sent, distinct lack of professionalism from a 'business manager' at Santander.

(You can actually get the incorporation docs for free on Co house so you wasted your £1 )

[CleverClogs]

Re: Business Banking Santander - dodgy letter?

Well all they have achieved is I'll consider them LAST if I ever want to change from Lloyds.

I'd not say that's all 'Andy' had achieved.

It is far from impossible that his number will shortly appear on male escort 'tart cards' to be left in gay bars and clubs, offering all manner of services.