To be OUTRAGED by this comment regarding NatWest

[BumpingFuglies]

"I understand from the news that the software problem was fixed very quickly but it appears to have taken much longer to deal with the complications that arose from this problem. Now Im obviously very sympathetic with the people who were without cash but surely they dont live from week to week do they? They should always keep some cash in reserve,just a few hundred pounds maybe and also why could they not get cash out on their charge or credit card?"

On another forum I post on. I'm thinking about boycotting it once I've flamed the living daylights out of the poster

How can people be so ignorant of the tight money situation that many people are in?

@bumpingfuglies @FioFio I do understand your position, but you have chosen to not have an overdraft or credit cards for emergencies.

I live within my means and save (which has been a great comfort with regards to Natwest this week) but I am prepared for financial emergencies which as a young graduate starting out with no safety net was essential, and 4 years on I hav emanaged to not get into debt, or at least not for more than a month .

In fact I found it quite annoying when I moved in with DP who did not own a credit card on principle, but had to stump up my own deets every time we needed one. I can't see how someone with that attitude can expect sympathy when the shit hits the fan, as that situation was avoidable.

I'm not including people who don't earn enough to make ends meet/not get into debt in order to look after their family though. They are truely trapped at the mo.

Thanks.
Ive tried ringing all day then finally got through to an automated msg an hour ago saying "we're very sorry but we are working night and day to rectify the problem. We have taken on more staff and we know the problem is unacceptable"...

But that doesnt help me!!
Aarrgghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Sane here Sassy.....
Im due my working/ child tax on thurs....thats when i do food shop, fill car up, pay all the little extra's etc.....if u dont get that im screwed!!

Ethelb - I CAN'T have a credit card or overdraft - it's not a choice. Don't you think I would if I could for emergencies? I'm a single parent earning a minimum wage. Your comment almost matches the one in the OP for ignorance!

Dee, how frustrating. Do you know anyone who can help out?

Agree Bumping....

I did think it was a bit strange when Natwest emailed me advising that I could withdraw cash on my credit card with no cash advance fee. I think the people affected are the ones who don't have credit cards, otherwise they'd already be using them - no?

@bumping if you can't then my comments aren't directed at you obviously. as i feel i have made pretty clear to be honest.

i do feel for people forced into difficult financial situations like yours, think it is a disgusting situation, and was thinking about that as i had to sort out some pretty urgent banking myself this week.

Curryspice i was listening to that radio show last night too. It was on Five Live. I sent them a text pointing out that this issue also showed up their lack of care and ignorance towards the disabled (and is bordering on discrimination) as well as their total incompetency.
They didnt read my text out though.

Im due to be paid tomorrow and i will NOT be leaving the branch without my money.

I know i can ask my parents for food/petrol money if i get desperate but i shouldnt have too. Its just sooooo frustrating.....the money is there but i cant get at it!!!

Also my direct debits come out at end of the month....what happens then i wonder!!!!
God i really dont need this hassle this week...having a stressful week as it is!!

Sorry, ethelb I did feel it was directed at me when you said:

"@bumpingfuglies @FioFio I do understand your position, but you have chosen to not have an overdraft or credit cards for emergencies."

But also, choosing to have a credit card or overdraft is choosing debt, something that terrifies some people.

why does everyone think everything in your life is a choice? People who are poor usually don't have any choice. It's not called the poverty trap for nothing

Let's hope it's sorted tomorrow Dee - I don't suppose you can get to a branch?

I do choose not to have a credit card though. People coped for years without them you know and some still do now

Thanks. I hope its sorted for everyone very soon.
Believe me i will be on that phone tomorrow until i get answers

I'm an RBS customer and as yet my husband's salary has not been credited to our account (should have been paid on Friday). We are lucky in one way in that as I am self-employed I do get paid some jobs in cash so we have access to (limited) funds for food, petrol etc. But, household/utility direct debits go out on Thursday and there's not enough left in the account to cover them...... We don't live entirely hand to mouth but DH's monthly salary is needed every month and there isn't much left over!

The advice I've been given from RBS? Check the account again tomorrow and hopefully everything will be ok...... I've paraphrased slightly but that's the gist!

@bumping you didn't state that you couldn't get an overdraft or credit card. you just said you didn't have one. many people who don't have them don't have them due to choice. however, the failure to provide lower income people with these risk management strategies impacts the poverty premium and their should be more assistance. i have said previously.

why should people who can choose to manage the risk surrounding their cash flow but choose not to, get sympathy when the situation they chose falls to pieces though?

There is a widespread belief that people have emergency funds of about 3 months salary but tbh in the last 10 years I think that is utter nonsense

DH's wages were affected as his employers bank with Natwest/RBS. However I had been paid a few days before so we had money.If I hadn't, we would have probably been in the poo.I see wages are in now.

DD and her DH were paid late cos of the crisis. She aint rich, but they are saving for a house so had to withdraw from there to buy shopping on Saturday.If she had been stuck, we would have helped, and so would her in-laws.

However there are many many people who are on low wages/benefits for which this would have been a bloody disaster. I hope everyone gets sorted soon.

Fingers crossed!

Last thur i did receive my working/child tax credits but at lunch time, not first thing like normal. It did cock up my sainsburys online shop tho......but i can live with that

@noddy but people don't need 3 months salary for this do they? just £100 stashed away in a savings acount or under the mattress. Or even a £100 arranged overdraft facility.

Plus if you knew someone who earned ok and had a little bit of disposable income who had failed to set up any risk management through savings or access to loans (which is what overdraft and credit cards are) who faced a cash flow problem, would you really be that sympathetic?

I do like the way 'people' are being blamed for something that isn't even their fault!

Hmm. OP, YANBU.

It did make me think though that as and when I can, I'm going to take out £10 every so often and keep it in a pot somewhere, and build up a little emergency pot. I never carry cash, I always rely on my cards, and until this happened it never occurred to me that anything could go wrong with that!

My dad has always told me to keep an emergency fund somewhere but as ive been a single parent for 9 years now ive never had any money to put away.
I'm always juggling bills etc....kids keep growing, things need fixing etc etc

Good advice in theory but i cant see me saving anytime soon!