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Your questions answered
  1. I have a bad credit history; can I still get an account?
  2. Can I apply online?
  3. Can I get my salary/wages paid into my account directly?
  4. How can I withdraw money? Can I use Cash machines?
  5. How much does Extra Direct cost?
  6. How can I check my balance? Do you send paper statements?
  7. Can I apply if I’m self employed?
  8. Do you provide online account management?
  9. Do you pay interest?
  10. Do you offer Direct Debits, cheque books and overdrafts?
  11. Where is my money kept – is it safe?
  12. How do I deposit cash or cheques I may have?
  13. I am having trouble logging in. Can you help?
  • I have a bad credit history; can I still get an account?
    Yes, you can. You can get an Extra Direct account, regardless of your credit history. We don’t make any credit checks, and there is no chance of you getting into debt with an Extra Direct account.
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  • Can I apply online?
    No. Extra Direct is only available through our introducers or by calling us direct on 0845 372 0316 and have one of our advisors guide you through the process.
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  • Can I get my salary/wages paid into my account directly?
    Yes, you can. It couldn’t be simpler to get your wages paid into your account, simply sign the pre printed wages mandate (sent to you on successful application) and hand over to your employer or payroll department. This will mean that your wages, whether you are paid daily, weekly or monthly are paid directly into your Billing Account.
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  • How can I withdraw money? Can I use Cash machines?
    You can use your Extra Direct Prepaid MasterCard card in shops, online or over the phone and withdraw cash at any ATM that displays the MasterCard acceptance mark. Please use our ATM finder to locate your nearest ATM.
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  • How much does Extra Direct cost?
    For just £12.50 per month you get a fully managed bank account that allows you to manage your finances easily and hassle free. You’ll get your own online account management centre and access to our account management team who are just a phone call away to answer any queries you may have. You also get the added convenience of a Prepaid MasterCard card, so you can use it to shop or withdraw money at home or abroad.
    With Extra Direct there's no risk of incurring charges or going overdrawn accidentally. If there are insufficient funds in your Billing Account to cover a standing order that you have set up, we will notify you by text 7 working days in advance. If there is still insufficient funds to pay the bill 2 working days before it is due to be paid, we will text you again and notify you that we have stopped the payment. That text message will cost you £1, and £0.50 of that will be given to charity. There is also a one off account opening charge of £49.95 (£54.95 for a joint account) which will be taken from your first deposit into the account.
    Please see our terms and conditions for further details.
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  • How can I check my balance? Do you send paper statements?
    You can check your balance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using our online banking facility, click here to log in. You can view your statement online or print for safe keeping. You can also check your balance by telephoning your personal money manager on 0845 372 0316, and they’ll let you know your balance and inform you of any upcoming debits from your account. If you have registered your mobile phone number with us, you can also check your balance by sending a text to 60777 containing the word “BALANCE”. You will be charged by your standard network rate for sending the text request to us, and £0.15 by us for sending the text back to you.
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  • Can I apply if I’m self employed?
    Yes, you can apply whatever your circumstances. We accept applications from employed, self employed and even un- employed. As we perform no credit checks, you can still be accepted for an Extra Direct account even if you have had CCJs or defaults in the past. We will also accept applications where the high street banks may have turned your down due to bankruptcy etc.
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  • Do you provide online account management?
    Yes, you will be sent a password separately which will allow you to log in to your own account management centre 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Using the online banking facility you will be able to check balances and view statements on your Billing Account and your Prepaid Card account, transfer money between the two, order a second card, set up and amend standing orders, transfer money to another bank account, set up your texting alerts and amend your personal details. You will also gain access to the secure messaging service, where we will post letters to you, and where you can contact us securely.
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  • Do you pay interest?
    No, interest is not currently paid on funds held in either the Billing Account or the Prepaid Card Account.
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  • Do you offer Direct Debits, cheque books and overdrafts?
    No. Extra Direct is a managed banking facility and we believe that all of these things would make management of your finances more difficult. Our aim is to help you take control of your finances through the use of separate accounts similar to jam-jar banking. One for wages and bills (Billing Account) and another for spends (Prepaid Card account). Variable payments such as mobile phone bills and satellite TV bills can be made direct from the card account.
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  • Where is my money kept – is it safe?
    Yes, your money is held completely securely in Nat West Bank. The maximum balance you can have in your Billing Account is £25,000. Funds held on the card (maximum balance of £5,000), are held with Newcastle Building Society. All funds are held in trust, which keeps them separate and secure. Extra Direct aligns to the Banking Code and is committed to providing the utmost in security and customer service.
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  • How do I deposit cash or cheques I may have?
    You can deposit cash or cheques only using the bank giro forms provided by us. You will need to deposit these at any NatWest branch by inserting the completed form and funds into the Quick Deposit envelope found in the branch and depositing it into the repository for Quick Deposit. Please refer to our terms and conditions for details of the cheque clearing rules. We do not accept cheques payable to a third party and endorsed in your favour.
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Call for advice on how to get started
With Extra Direct managing your money has never been so easy
|0845 372 0316
©2008 All rights reserved. Extra Direct is a trading name of Spectrum Card Services. Registered Office: 24 Nicolas Street, Chester CH1 2AU. Registered in England No. 06052256
The Extra Direct prepaid Mastercard® card is issued by Newcastle Building Society pursuant to licence by Mastercard International Incorporated. Newcastle Building Society is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (www.fsa.gov.uk/register/) and is entered in the Financial Services Authority Register under Registration No. 156058.