I'm so upset - Bank have left us screwed

gilly1964 · 18 February 2007 at 6:04PM

Hi Bakey,

Unfortunately I can't give an explanation which doesn't help you.

As another poster has said I would call into a branch tomorrow and speak to someone face to face - don;t take no for an answer.

I have also heard that benefits cannot be used to pay charges but cannot say for definite if this is the case. I do know however that the computer cannot differentiate where funds come form so this is yet more reason to call in.

Good luck
Gill

Bakeybadoo · 18 February 2007 at 6:06PM

Thanks Gill, we will do that.

It's just a feeling of helplessness at this moment, being a Sunday and all.

beanielou · 18 February 2007 at 7:19PM

I would also advise you to go to CAB ASAP as they may be able to help.
Banks are not allowed to take all your benefit money & leave you with nothing to live on.
Good luck & take care

monstermash · 18 February 2007 at 7:29PM

Hi I'm new here and this is my first post

I have been in this situation and I was told to phone my benefits agency and they will stop the money going into the account or if the money had already gone into your account the benefits agency will contact your bank and demand that they repay this money to you so you have something to live on.

The benefits agency love contacting the banks and getting money back for people. (I have a close friend who works for them).

I hope this helps.

**Dont ever go short just because the bank takes your money**

Bakeybadoo · 18 February 2007 at 7:38PM

Thanks everyone for the advice and BTDT experience.

We will be up first thing to call them. I wish it weren't a Sunday and we could stop the money going in but hopefully we can get it back, since it is benefit money.

We are getting the first letter towards reclaiming our charges, printed up today.

Gemmzie · 18 February 2007 at 8:20PM

Banks definitely aren't allowed to take benefits from you. There's a link over on the benefits board about it ...

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=269424

Bakeybadoo · 18 February 2007 at 8:47PM

I had a read and it there was no definitive answer on Incapacity Benefit, which is the one that will be entirely swallowed up tomorrow.

pigpen · 18 February 2007 at 9:16PM

We have had the same as well.. my sons DLA is usually what is swallowed by the charges as they come out the same day. the most we have had out in charges in one go was £375.. last December.. 5 days before christmas.. that was my christmas food money!! and last minute bargain present money.

Abbey ALWAYS!!! have a summary of your monthly account tranactions on the first page of your statement BUT.. there is no mention of charges anywhere on my latest statement. they send a letter out around the 8th of the month saying charges will be taken on or around the 20th. Whoever you spoke to has obviously never seen a statement!!

They only charge you ONCE for being over your limit.. so, as long as there are no more things to come out you can leave it for the rest of the month without any more charges.. other than interest of course. there charges are a lot less than TSB.. just they are much more pleased to stick them on your account.. and that infernal call centre in deepest darkest peru or wherevre it is.. I once got so irate I demanded to speak to an organ grinder not a monkey (forgetting they are in goodness knows where) they took it entirely the wrong way not realising what it actually means over here and I got to speak to the department manager.. not even a supervisor.. thankfully the senior management ARE based in the UK which is why it takes so long to get through when you are on hold.. understood the comment. (Believe me if it got to name calling I'd have done WAY better than that!)

Anyway.. OT...

If you bank online.. ring the internet banking dept.. they have a different number and are based in the UK... just don't mention my name.. it is Mud!! lol

We have started procedeings to get £6000 of bank charges back from the last 6 years. 2 of those my husband was a student and we had £300 a month to live on.. 2 adults and 5 children. They took my maternity payment in charges, and at least 1 payment of my husbands student grant!!! I WILL get it back!

I have opened an alliance and leicester account and ahve transfered all payments I get.. which are all benefit money too.. for payment into this account, only my husbands wages will then go into the abbey one.. and they are in about an hour until I have paid all the bills!

Good luck claiming those charges back.. once you have started it you can claim back any charges they make after then as well.. and don't forget you want interest as well!!! they are notorious for waiting until the 11th hour before giving in though.

joeblack066 · 18 February 2007 at 11:33PM

In the immediate meantime, do you have anything that you could sell quickly to raise some cash to live on? I have been in this absolutely broke state a fair few times, and when you sit down with a clear head you may find that there are things you can do;
Food...........Plan all the meals you can with whatever is in the cupboard/ fridge/ freezer. Check out whats lurking at the back!
Cash..........Any DVD's, CD's that you don't need anymore that you can take to a secondhand shop? Unwanted Jewellery? Midweek car boot sales that you can stand?
I really sympathise, and I hope that with the advice you've been given on this forum, you get this sorted.

Donedoingdebt · 19 February 2007 at 12:09AM

Like others, I'm not sure of the legalities of taking out benefits to pay bank charges. However, you will not get anywhere by ringing 08459 724724. This is just a foreign call centre without the power to make any real decisions. As stated earlier, the number to ring is 0845 600 6014. If you're not happy with the first person you speak to then politely demand to speak to someone with a higher authority.

I'm so upset - Bank have left us screwed

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