The NatWest problems information gives the contact phone number for overseas calls as +44 (0) 8705 888 444.

I wonder if it will work from ALL overseas contries?

Part of an email I have just received from Nat West...................


We apologise to all of our customers who have been affected by our current technical issues. These resulted in money credited to customers accounts overnight not appearing in their balances as it should. This problem is strictly of a technical nature, we have fixed the initial problem and our priority has been to work round the clock to sort the backlog as soon as possible.

We appreciate this has caused an unacceptable level of inconvenience, and to help you we have over 900 of our branches extending their opening hours today until 6pm. Branches will also be open on Sunday 24th June from 9am to 12noon. Staff in our branches are ready and available to answer any customer questions and help with emergency needs.

Or, please call us at 08457 888 444.

Quote:

+44 (0) 8705 888 444 08457 888 444

I always regard the misformatting of such numbers as a feeble attempt to hide the fact these are 0870 and 0845 numbers and hence the true cost of calling them:
0870  588 8444
0845  788 8444

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/saving/article-2163881/RBS-NatWest-opens-1-200-branches-Sunday-struggles-meltdown.html

NatWest throws open its doors on a Sunday and promises to refund customers charged by 0845 helpline

By Simon Lambert

PUBLISHED: 10:17, 24 June 2012 | UPDATED: 15:31, 24 June 2012



NatWest threw open the doors to 1,200 branches across the country today, to deliver its first ever Sunday opening, as it tries to deal with the massive problems triggered by a computer meltdown.

The bank has also blundered into another row following its computer meltdown after it failed to provide a free helpline for customers affected - leaving them to call an expensive 0845 number.

RBS-Natwest is battling to clear a massive backlog of payments caused by a computer glitch and the boss of the majority state-owned bank has issued an embarrassed apology to its customers. It has also said that customers can request to have phone charges repaid that were run up on the high cost line.
Millions of customers unable to move money or pay bills as accounts freeze

NatWest online banking meltdown: Millions of customers unable to move money or pay bills as accounts freeze

Stephen Hester, chief executive of NatWest owner RBS, said: 'I am very sorry for the difficulties people are experiencing. Our customers rely on us day in and day out to get things right, and on this occasion we have let them down. This should not have happened.'

A spokesman said that callers would be reimbursed for any cost they incurred in dialling the 0845 helpline for questions about the glitch.

The branches were open today between 9am and noon, as angry customers face their disruption running into next week after the worst technical problems to ever hit a UK bank.

Up to 12 million people have been affected by the major computer error which was triggered when a software upgrade was being installed to the payment system.

The bank has resolved the 'underlying problem' but it could be early next week before all the problems have been dealt with and all payments catch up. Many RBS cash machines across the country have also been out of order over the weekend.

Mr Hester attempted to reassure customers following mounting fears that thousands of people could be hit with penalty charges if their regular payments - including mortgages - were affected.

The bank has said that no one will be left out-of-pocket by the problems and customers who face any extra payments, late fees, or knock-on financial effects are being advised to keep detailed records of charges so that they can reclaim money from RBS.

NatWest has more than 7.5 million personal banking customers but it is unclear how many have been affected.

Mr Hester said: 'Our staff have already helped thousands of customers to access cash and we will continue to provide this service on a 24-hour basis while we work to resolve the problems.

'I also want to reassure customers that no one will be left permanently out of pocket as a result of this, and again, they should contact us directly about this.'

The systems failure, which the company now says began on Tuesday, meant that payments due to be made on Wednesday night, ready for Thursday, did not appear in account balances.

As a result, some customers were blocked from taking money out of cash machines, while others had internet supermarket food deliveries stopped after payments were rejected.

The crisis-hit bank has so far refused to confirm specifically whether it will compensate customers if they are hit with late payment fees from third parties - through no fault of their own.

Some people could not use debit cards at tills, including hotel check-out desks, airports and petrol stations.

Some customers were able to access their money by 4pm Thursday but problems have persisted and customers continued to report being unable to access their cash this morning. It is unclear whether the problem that stopped payments due on Wednesday night have also blocked payments due for last night.

The company has confirmed the problems were not the result of an external attack on its systems.

The initial problem reportedly arose following an attempt to install a software update on RBS's payment processing system, which was then corrupted.

The fault meant payments went awry, wages appeared to go missing and holiday and home purchases were interrupted.

When account balances were not updated properly overnight, credit and debit payments failed to show up as quickly as they should.

Still dragging on.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/banking/9352947/Fury-as-NatWest-bank-glitch-drags-on.html

If you have an urgent enquiry, please call us on:
0161 931 9959 or 08457 77 77 66 or 0800 656 9639.
Overseas +44 (0) 8705 888 444


http://www.natwest.com/personal/customer-update.ashx

sherbert wrote on Jun 25^th, 2012 at 11:31am:

If you have an urgent enquiry, please call us on: 0161 931 9959 or 08457 77 77 66 or 0800 656 9639. Overseas +44 (0) 8705 888 444 http://www.natwest.com/personal/customer-update.ashx

Well at least they have an additional 2 numbers.. someone who banks with Natwest would be advised to point out that actually Overseas callers would be better in calling the 0161 number as some networks block 0870 numbers or charge high premiums for these calls from outside of the UK.

I did try to feedback, but you have to register, and it's limited in words.  :(

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/reclaim/2012/07/rbs-reveals-refund-process-following-it-meltdown

Amazing! They have published 0800 and geo numbers.

allegro wrote on Jul 10^th, 2012 at 4:11pm:

… Amazing! They have published 0800 and geo numbers.

The message seems to be getting through. 084 is on its way out! :)

Has anybody yet had a telephone call from a claims company saying that they can recover all of the money you have lost as a result of the NW melt-down? ::)
The government will soon be taking credit for all of the jobs that have been created as a result! ;)

allegro wrote on Jul 10^th, 2012 at 4:11pm:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/reclaim/2012/07/rbs-reveals-refund-process-following-it-meltdown Amazing! They have published 0800 and geo numbers.

As I put in post #5 ;)

sherbert wrote on Jul 10^th, 2012 at 5:18pm:

allegro wrote on Jul 10th, 2012 at 4:11pm: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/reclaim/2012/07/rbs-reveals-refund-process-following-it-meltdown Amazing! They have published 0800 and geo numbers. As I put in post #5 ;)

With reference to your earlier post there is a new 0800 number plus further 0800/geo numbers for those unfortunate enough to use Ulsterbank. If you visit the Natwest "help" page it's good to see that there are no 084x or 087x numbers. Shame that they spoil it slightly by calling 0161 "local rate". From MSE:


Quote:

NatWest: Call 0800 656 9639 or 0161 931 9959; use its online complaint form, or online help page, or find your nearest branch. RBS: Call 0800 656 9639 or 0161 931 9959; use its online complaint form, or online help page, or find your nearest branch Ulster: Call 0800 231232 or 028 9084 3556; find out online how to complain, or see its online crisis update page, or find your nearest branch (branches open till 7pm today).