Overdrafts, your cards and account maintenance

Overdrafts

You can apply for a new overdraft or increase the amount of any existing overdraft online.

To arrange an overdraft online simply select the 'Apply' link next to your account on the 'My accounts' page and then follow the on-screen instructions.
      
To change an existing overdraft go to the account and select ‘Change my overdraft limit’ and then follow the online instructions.

If your request is accepted, your overdraft will be instantly available

Sign in or find out more about the online service.

Alternatively call 08457 20 30 40 (lines open 8am to 8pm seven days a week), or visit your nearest branch.

Students can get an interest-free overdraft of up to £3,000.  More details are shown on our Student Current Account.

Our overdraft interest rates are shown on our rates page.

Overdrafts are subject to status and repayable on demand.

Cash withdrawal limits

The most you can withdraw from cash machines in any 24-hour period is £300.
 
The daily maximum cash withdrawal over the branch counter is £2,500, unless you have pre-ordered a higher amount.
 
If you wish to withdraw more than £2,500 in cash, you will need to give your branch advance notice.  When making large withdrawals, you will need to provide ID. Find out more information about how to prove your identity

Ordering a replacement card

If you lose your debit card or have it stolen, you should call us immediately on 08457 20 30 99.  Lines are open 24 hours a day.  We will then cancel the card and send you a replacement.

If your card is damaged, you can cancel it and arrange a replacement by calling 08457 20 30 40 (lines open 8am to 8pm seven days a week), or at your nearest branch.

Changing or unlocking your PIN

With Chip and PIN, you must use your PIN instead of your signature when paying with your debit card.  If you enter your PIN incorrectly three times, then your PIN will become locked, preventing you using the card.

If you've forgotten your PIN or your PIN becomes locked, just call 08457 20 30 40 (08458 50 55 25 for Easycash customers) – lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm weekends.  We'll then send you a new PIN, which you will receive within five working days.

If you remember your PIN later, you can also change or unlock it at most UK cash machines.

Using your cash machine card at home or abroad

You can use your debit or cash machine card at any shop or cash machine, in the UK or abroad, wherever you see the VISA sign.

If you use your Halifax debit card to withdraw cash or pay for goods and services in a foreign currency other than sterling, the exchange rate we use will be the Visa Reference Exchange Rate.  We will charge a foreign exchange fee of 2.75% of the amount of the transaction and a £1.50 fee for each payment or withdrawal.

You can withdraw up to £300 a day free of charge from any Halifax or Bank of Scotland cash machine. Other cash machine providers may charge for this service – check the machine for any notice of charges before you make a cash withdrawal.

Many supermarkets also now offer a 'cashback' facility at the checkout, which is another way to withdraw cash without any charge.

If you are planning to travel overseas, we advise that you take a range of currency options, including a few traveller’s cheques and some foreign currency as well as your debit card. To help protect you from fraud we always monitor transactions, and in some circumstances this may mean we block cash machine or card transactions in the UK or a foreign country.

Protecting you against fraud

We take fraud seriously and from time to time may call you to confirm a transaction on your account. To contact as many people as quickly as possible we may use "Automated Calling Technology" which can include automated computer generated speech.

Changing your address details

To change the address we hold for your account, print off and complete the form on the 'Change of address' page in our Help Centre.

Alternatively, just visit your local branch.

Changing the name on your account

To change the name on your bank account, you'll need to visit your nearest branch, bringing with you evidence of the name change, for example a marriage certificate or deed poll.

Joint accounts

The following bank accounts can be opened as joint accounts

Visit your local branch or call us on 08457 20 30 40. For Easycash accounts, please call 08458 50 55 25.

You can add another person to a bank account opened in a sole name, or remove someone from a joint-named account.

To do this you need to complete a form in your local branch where both you and the other person will need to sign a consent form. If you are adding someone to the account, they may need to bring in the relevant ID. Please see our proving your identity section.

You cannot remove a joint account holder and immediately replace that account holder with someone else. Instead you will need to close the old joint account and open a new account.

Acceptable forms of identification

When opening a new bank account, you will need to present two forms of proof at a branch – one for your name and one for your address – so that we can check your identity.

Forms of ID we accept include:
• passport
• photographic driver's licence
• credit card statements
• utility (gas, water, electricity) bills
• council tax form
These must be originals, not photocopies.

This is not a complete list – and some of these are only for proof of address. Find more information about how to prove your identity.

Paying bills from your account

You can set up new bill payments, and pay your existing bills quickly and easily with our online banking service.

You can find instructions on how to pay bills online on our online demo.

Register now for our service, or sign in if you're already registered.

Paying-in slips

You can make deposits at a branch using our self-service facilities or over the counter using a paying-in slip. If you need any help using the self-servicing facilities, just ask and we'll be happy to help.

If you have a Cardcash or Easycash account, only deposits of £300 or more can be made over the counter.

Setting up standing orders from your account

If you're registered for our online banking service, you can sign in and set up standing orders quickly and easily.  Click here for more information on online banking or to view our demo.

To set up a standing order from your bank account, call us on 08457 20 30 40 (08458 50 55 25 for Easycash customers) – lines are open 8am to 8pm seven days a week – or drop into your nearest branch.  You will need to have with you the receiving bank's sort code and the account number and account reference details of the person or organisation you're paying.

Direct debits are set up on your account by the organisation to which the direct debit payment will be made. You can cancel direct debits online.

If you get your payee's bank account details wrong

We are not responsible for any losses resulting from you supplying incorrect information at the time you make your payment. You should check that all the details you have entered are correct before sending your payment. Once a payment has been sent, it cannot be stopped, amended or retrieved. If you entered incorrect details when making a payment, you will need to contact the receiving organisation direct to request a refund.

Faster Payments

The Faster Payments Service means that electronic payments can be processed in hours* rather than days, if accepted by the receiving bank. The service runs alongside the existing payment schemes in the UK such as Bacs and CHAPS**.

International cash machine restrictions

The banking industry is suffering high levels of fraud through cash machines in other countries.  To protect you and us we have strengthened our defences, which may cause some disruption to our service when you use your debit card in cash machines outside the UK.  If you have difficulties, you can try to use a different cash machine. The problems shouldn’t affect you when you use your card in shops or bureaux de change or at bank counters overseas.

We always advise you to have a range of currency options and take a few traveller’s cheques and notes when travelling abroad.  We’ll be happy to explain our full range of foreign currency options on  08457 20 30 40, or you can access our online ordering service.

If you are planning to travel overseas and use your debit card in cash machines, please contact us for further information on 08457 20 30 40.

Thinking of closing your account?

We're sorry to hear that you wish to close your account.

If your existing account is not providing the service you want, we're sure we've got an account better suited to your needs, and it's easy to switch. You can compare all the current accounts we offer to find the right one for you.

If you would still like to close your account, please see our account closure process.

*However, we can’t guarantee how long it will take, as it depends on the other bank's response to our instruction.

Bacs (Banks automated clearing service) is where banks and organisations can make or take payments directly to or from your account, for example paying in your salary or taking direct debit payments. Bacs payments may take up to three working days.

**CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payments System) is an electronic same-day guaranteed payment, which is usually used for high-value payments.

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