03 Nov 2011 20:46:

Get your son to speak to his bank and explain the problem and if possible give them copies of the emails you have sent to and rrec'd from the Car Hire firm. It can then be treated as a disputed transaction and with a bit of luck as Justin has said do a charge back for you and credit your son's account.

John

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26 Sep 2011 22:32:

Have to agree does sound crazy. I have got accounts at two diferent banks in Spain & changed our address with both this summer without any of the problems you describe. Suspect the member of staff at Lloyds International may not be following internal instructions correctly. If there is anyone out there that works for Lloyds perhaps they could comment.

John

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26 Sep 2011 20:04:

Mike,

Were you visiting your branch when you tried to change the address or, was this on the phone? Unfortunately changes of address including surpressing statements are very common actions by fraudsters. The latter as it can hide their actions for weeks if not months.

If you were at your branch and had ID with you such as a passport, then you should not have had a problem. A change of address via a banks online system is also frequently possible as you have to sign in with password security etc. Sorry, but suspect they may have been trying to protect you. I don't work for Lloyds but do work in the banking industry and you would be amazed at what fraudsters will get up to to try and empty an account.

John

 

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26 Apr 2011 22:06:

re International direct debits, most of the larger UK Banks are already able to receive direct debit claims from other Euro Countries. It is though not currently widely used and will depend on the service provider wanting to be able to make cross border direct debit claims. I somehow think it may be a long time before the Spanish untilities feel the need to have to offer this option.

Alyson, I think you may be confusing standard International transfers with direct debits. Direct debits are when the service provider actually debits your account direct, rather than you instructing your bank  to send the money, as would be the case with a standard transfer (same as a standing order).

John

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25 Nov 2010 19:45:

If your main income is still being generated in the UK, try speaking to one of the UK Banks with offices on Gibraltar. Several do Spanish mortgages. They will though have as strict, if not stricker criteria on affordability than their Spanish counterparts. You would have option of borrowing in Euro's or £, where if your main income is still in £ would be worth considering and thus avoid the vagries of exchange rate movements, although it is still predcited for £ to strengthen against the Euro over the next 2 yrs.

Don't forget they will take into account the costs of your UK accommadation whilst working in UK.

Good luck

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