Several weeks later she put cash into the account to cover DDs and they returned the DDs and charged her £200, plus a further £15 reversal fee plus interest. Abbey say that it takes three days to clear cash.

Other problems have included wire transfers not being cleared and DDs returned and charges added. The account has been open about eight months and in that time Abbey have taken about £1,000 in fees related to their being unable to cope with cash, cheque or wire payments.

Four weeks ago when Abbey added further charges of £180 she asked that all the DDs be stopped, Abbey agreed to place the stops on the DDs and further charges were applied to the account.

Abbey stated that there was no overdraft facility on the account, this week Abbey overdrew the account to pay a debit card payment of which she had no knowledge, by £100. Abbey agreed in a telephone conversation that they had made a mistake and would recover the money themselves. My mother asked Abbey to close the account and they agreed.

Today Abbey telephoned my mother telling her that they were not going to close the account and began making threats that if she did not pay the £100 they would add further interest and then take her to court.

My mother’s business is a limited liability company so there is a route for abbey to follow, as there was no overdraft facility and on all previous occasion they have returned DD and Debit card payment, even though they had the money, now when there is no money in the account they start paying it out.

I think Abbey have overcharged my mother about £1,500, further costs have been incurred from the companies my mother paid using the DDs of about £500. One DD they have failed to stop.

It would appear Abbey is using small business such as my mothers to fund their failing business model.

I would suggest that anyone considering opening an account with Abbey look long and hard at this bank and go elsewhere as they do not appear to be very good at administration.