I have experienced significant issues with Abbey and despite my best endeavours they remain unresolved. In this instance Abbey continually debit my account with charges that they verbally confirm are not applicable and then fail to credit these charges back! This is made worse by the fact that that my visa card is actually in credit but the card has not been activated despite my receiving it two years ago!

Why do I continue to bank with such an organisation? - this issue is just one in a saga that goes back over 20 years. Perhaps it is because (one sided) misplaced loyalty? Laziness? Or the expectation that my loyalty would one day be recognised if I ever required one of Abbey services; eg a mortgage or a loan etc.

I am firmly of the opinion that Abbey 'rate' their customers, and regardless of the customers financial status this rating affects all subsequant services - I have complained regularly over the years when overcharged, when incorrect Abbey charges have been applied or when the counter assistant 'accidently' gives me a receipt for a lesser amount then the cash deposit (this occurred twice in one branch in the same week) etc etc.

To date I have never received a single written apology or explanation - however, when I once erred with a payment, Abbey bombarded me with demands and charges.

The usual situation is that Abbey allege that written complaints are not received or that they have no record of the subject matter. A very dubious organisation and one which I am now 'divorcing' myself from.