Cash deposit goes missing at NatWest

OUR new consumer champion column with MARTIN LEWIS and SAM DUNN helps you hit back at greedy firms who put profits first-and you second.

Q I DEPOSITED £111 in the "quick till" at a Dartford NatWest branch in May. It was earmarked to pay a June bill but I later then got a letter saying the payment hadn't been received.

I contacted the bank, which told me to bring the counterfoil from the envelope, which I did. They said they would look into it.

After weeks of waiting, the manager eventually phoned me to say the money in the bank had tallied that day-and they would not be refunding my money.

I asked if they could look at the CCTV but was told they don't have the tape for that day. What can I do? I've been told nothing can be done.

M LINEHAN, Dartford

A THIS is a mystery worthy of Hercule Poirot. After its own detective work, NatWest is sticking to its story. It says it has no shred of a record of the deposit, despite delving deep into their archives.

Yet the evidence of your counterfoil and presence in the bank that day suggest otherwise. Who is right?

Happily, after we intervened, NatWest said it will credit the £111 straight back into your account as a gesture of goodwill.

Martin says: "Take extra care to fill in the rapid deposit system slips correctly. And never fail to double- check you've included your paying-in slip and cash. Keep the slips in a safe place till the money goes into your account."

Email your problem to champ@moneysavingexpert.com

TV money guru Martin Lewis is the creator of the Consumer Revenge website www.MoneySavingExpert.com which is packed with info on how to put more money in your pocket.