Cancellation service N°1 in United Kingdom
Contract number:
To the attention of:
Cancellation Department – First Direct
40 Wakefield Road
LS9 8FD Leeds
Subject: Contract Cancellation – Certified Email Notification
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby notify you of my decision to terminate contract number relating to the First Direct service. This notification constitutes a firm, clear and unequivocal intention to cancel the contract, effective at the earliest possible date or in accordance with the applicable contractual notice period.
I kindly request that you take all necessary measures to:
– cease all billing from the effective date of cancellation;
– confirm in writing the proper receipt of this request;
– and, where applicable, send me the final statement or balance confirmation.
This cancellation is sent to you by certified email. The sending, timestamping and integrity of the content are established, making it equivalent proof meeting the requirements of electronic evidence. You therefore have all the necessary elements to process this cancellation properly, in accordance with the applicable principles regarding written notification and contractual freedom.
In accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and data protection regulations, I also request that you:
– delete all my personal data not necessary for your legal or accounting obligations;
– close any associated personal account;
– and confirm to me the effective deletion of data in accordance with applicable rights regarding privacy protection.
I retain a complete copy of this notification as well as proof of sending.
Yours sincerely,
14/01/2026
Cancellation First Direct: Easy Method
What is First Direct
first direct is a UK-based retail bank known for phone- and app-led customer service and simple current accounts. It operates as part of the HSBC group and provides online banking, a mobile app, telephone support and standard UK bank services to eligible customers.
How to cancel First Direct
You can close a first direct account yourself provided the account balance is zero and all standing orders and direct debits have been cleared. There are several routes: in-app or online banking message/chat, by phone, or by written request through the post. For some subsidiary products (for example First Directory), a dedicated phone number is quoted.
- App / Online Banking: Open the first direct App and go to Help → Chat now, or sign in to Online Banking and use Message us. Confirm you have zero balance and no active standing orders/direct debits; request account closure and ask for written confirmation.
- Phone: Call first direct customer services to request closure. For First Directory specifically call 03 456 100 100. Have your account details and ID ready; expect verification steps and possible wait times.
- Post: Write to first direct at 40 Wakefield Road, Leeds, LS98 1FD requesting account closure. If sending by post, send via registered delivery with acknowledgement (for example, raccomandata A/R or equivalent) to ensure proof of receipt. Include account number, a clear instruction to close the account, confirmation the balance is zero, and your contact details.
What happens when you cancel
When first direct processes a closure request, your access to the account will be ended after outstanding transactions clear. Any remaining incoming payments will normally be returned or rejected unless alternative arrangements are in place. Standing orders and direct debits must be stopped or transferred; otherwise payments may fail after closure. You should receive confirmation of closure by message or post - keep this for your records.
The bank will retain account records and personal data for the period required by law and its policies; this is standard for financial institutions and is used for regulatory, fraud-prevention and tax purposes.
Will I get a refund?
first direct does not publicly state a general 14-day "cooling-off" right or an automatic refund policy for account closures. The bank's publicly available help and terms do not advertise a blanket refund or statutory 14‑day cancellation right for retail banking accounts. Refunds are not typically part of closing a standard current account.
Exceptions can exist where a paid product or fee was charged that includes its own terms or a billing error occurred - in those cases you should raise the issue with first direct through their complaints or disputes process. If you think you are entitled to a refund for a specific product, request this explicitly and keep written records.
First Direct plans and pricing
| Plan / Product | Monthly fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Current Account | Varies | Varies |
| Savings / Other products | Varies | Varies |
Your consumer rights in Canada
Canadian consumer-protection statutes (provincial Consumer Protection Acts and federal consumer rules) generally do not create a statutory 14-day cooling-off right for UK banking services offered from abroad. Because first direct is a UK bank serving UK customers, Canadian statutory cancellation rights cannot be assumed to apply to its terms. If you are a Canadian resident using first direct from Canada, check the terms you agreed to and seek advice on whether any provincial rules apply.
If you need general consumer guidance in Canada, see Government of Canada resources or your provincial consumer-protection office; these sources explain local rights and complaint routes. For legal certainty, consult a Canadian consumer-advice service or a lawyer.
Customer experiences
Many customers report strong, friendly customer service, ease of use in the app and Online Banking, quick telephone responses and reliable handling of fraud incidents. Long-term customers often praise first direct for continuity and helpful staff. At the same time, some users have reported intrusive app pop-ups, occasional setup issues on some Android devices, difficulty deleting payees or accounts within the app, and isolated problems with loan applications and credit searches. These mixed reports suggest generally good service with some product- or device-specific irritations.
Documentation checklist
- Account number and sort code (or IBAN where applicable)
- Proof of identity (photo ID) and your registered contact details
- Confirmation the account balance is zero and evidence/payments proving standing orders/direct debits have been cancelled
- Written closure request if sending by post (signed) and a copy for your records
- If mailing, use registered delivery with acknowledgement of receipt and keep tracking/receipt
Common mistakes
Customers commonly attempt to close accounts without clearing the balance or cancelling standing orders and direct debits first; this can leave incoming payments bouncing or the closure delayed. Another frequent issue is not obtaining written confirmation of closure - without that proof it can be harder to resolve later disputes. Sending a postal request without registered delivery risks the bank not receiving it or you having no proof of delivery. Also be careful to use the correct contact numbers or in-app channels; using general or incorrect numbers can increase processing time.
Comparative recap
| Method | Refund | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| App / Online Banking (Chat / Message) | No explicit refund stated | Easy if account is zero and verifications are completed |
| Phone (Customer Services / First Directory: 03 456 100 100) | No explicit refund stated | Moderate - verification and wait times possible |
| Post (Written request to 40 Wakefield Road) | No explicit refund stated | Moderate - recommended to use registered mail for proof |
After cancelling
After closure, retain any written confirmation and monitor for unexpected activity for a few months. If you have unresolved transactions, contact first direct promptly and keep records of all communications. For official information and contact options, see first direct's website and help pages: firstdirect.com. For Canadian consumer guidance, see the Government of Canada consumer protection pages: Canada.ca - consumer protection.
Address
first direct
40 Wakefield Road
Leeds, LS98 1FD