Score! Fighting RBoS with their own tactics

mich_city wrote:

I think I need to read up on the possibility of cancelling PPI's on CC's or loans also.. (which I felt forced into taking, despite saying I didn't want it)

You know that if you feel you were mis-sold any accounts and knew that you couldn't actually afford to pay them then you are within your rights to complain and make the bank aware of this, it will somethimes result in the debt being written off. It's been a big emarrasment for banks recently that their staff have been selling products for commission to people who can't afford them (TV show recently with LTSB springs to mind).

in_debt_again_and_stupid wrote:

bummer I had 10 years worth of statements up until last month when I had a clearout and decided I didn't need to be reminded of how long I've been in debt, I threw the whole lot away. The charges on my Abbey current account were huge, something like £35 for every returned direct debit or cheque + more on top. is it genuinely easy to get the statements from the banks? I could really cry about binning mine just my luck.

Yes, it is genuinely easy

I wrote to my bank on the Thursday, had an acknowledgement from them on the Monday saying they'd got my letter, and the statements would be on their way, by courier soon. Received them 2 days later

I can post a copy of the letter I sent if you like, although it is an amended version of the ones on the BAG site (don't like their wording on a lot of their letters )

Edit - here you go

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Data Protection Act Disclosure Request[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Dear Sir/Madam[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Account Number; xx-xx-xx xxxxxxxx
[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Please supply me with a complete and exhaustive list of transactions and charges relating to the above current account, since <date>. Alternatively, a complete set of bank statements for that period would be acceptable.
[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]I am aware that the information commissioner allows you to make a nominal charge for this service, and you may take this letter as my authority for you to deduct this sum from the above account, up to the legal maximum of £10.00.[/font]
[font=Verdana, sans-serif]
Please be aware that this is a formal request under the Data Protection Act (1998). As you are no doubt aware, you are afforded 40 days to comply with this request or you must request an extension from the Information Commissioner. If you are of any doubt that this information is covered by the act, may I respectfully draw your attention to the case of Durant v FSA, where the judge ruled that bank statement information is indeed personal information and thus covered. In any event, this information is requested with a view to prospective legal action on my part and therefore would be covered under the same act.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]I look forward to hearing back from you.[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Yours faithfully

[/font]

[font=Verdana, sans-serif]Send by recorded post for 90-odd pence, and you're away :beer:
[/font]

I bank with First Direct, so I sent the letter to their one and only address

If I were ou though, I would send a copy to both my branch, and their head office, just to be on the safe side & make sure it gets through to the right person! Although, to be fair, receipt by anyone in the company - even the cleaner if they are bank staff - is enough for you to be able to enforce the request if they don't comply.

I think that the relevant section for each bank on the BAG forums has contact names/addresses though, so might be worth checking out.

HTH