Blair Oliver Scott bullies

lokey · 25 April 2009 at 12:14PM

Can anyone help? BOS are continually stressing my partner out by taking out money out of her account.Last Christmas they took out £400 and after much persuasion refunded £200 which still left her extremely short as she had childcare costs to pay.

They brought her to tears and stress as their lady rep was absolutely rude,impolite and unprofessional,speaking condescendingly to her questioning her on every transaction and purchase on her statement,are they allowed to do that?

She offered them an amount which was affordable to her but they refused wanting a higher amount which left the whole thing in the air only to find out £740 has been taken out of her account yesterday.

Our rent comes out by standing order on Monday and we also have to pay childcare costs.I cannot speak to them as they will only talk to the account holder.They are very unprofessional and bullish using all sorts of intimidating tactics to scare vulnerable people..I really don't want to see her stressed out like that it really makes me fume.Is there any legal stance to get the money back?original loan was for £2000..

fermi · 25 April 2009 at 12:28PM

I assume they are taking the money from a Bank of Scotland account?

If so then they are entitled to "set-off" accounts with debts owed.

In that case you really need to sort out an account with a separate bank so that can't happen again.

fermi · 25 April 2009 at 12:37PM

There is more explained here: Setting Off Rules: DON'T bank where you’ve got debts

lokey · 25 April 2009 at 12:42PM

Yea its a halifax account..But we need the money for rent on Monday Standing order

DES_1001 · 25 April 2009 at 12:43PM

You need to open a new account with a different bank, if the BOS account has an overdraft use it to get you by, draw out everything that you need!
open the new account the coop has a very good basic one, get your wages etc paid into the new account the arrange to pay BOS back at a amount you can afford NOT what they tell you!

worried_jim · 25 April 2009 at 12:48PM

Get another account now and transfer everything over and leave your monthly payment to bos in your Halifax account- you are now back in control of your account and they can hassle you no longer in this way. Do not get an account with any part of Lloyds , I to recommend the coop cash builder account. Good luck.

mm2000 · 25 April 2009 at 1:25PM

lokey wrote: »

Can anyone help? BOS are continually stressing my partner out by taking out money out of her account.Last Christmas they took out £400 and after much persuasion refunded £200 which still left her extremely short as she had childcare costs to pay.

They brought her to tears and stress as their lady rep was absolutely rude,impolite and unprofessional,speaking condescendingly to her questioning her on every transaction and purchase on her statement,are they allowed to do that?

She offered them an amount which was affordable to her but they refused wanting a higher amount which left the whole thing in the air only to find out £740 has been taken out of her account yesterday.

Our rent comes out by standing order on Monday and we also have to pay childcare costs.I cannot speak to them as they will only talk to the account holder.They are very unprofessional and bullish using all sorts of intimidating tactics to scare vulnerable people..I really don't want to see her stressed out like that it really makes me fume.Is there any legal stance to get the money back?original loan was for £2000..

They have no right to treat anyone like that. Ask for the address for their customer complaints dept. They are duty bound to provide this. Fire off some emails to OFT and Trading Standards too. When you get the customer complaints address, let them know you have complained to OFT and TS, they tend to take you a bit more seriously then.
As advised move your bank account as soon as possible.

lokey · 25 April 2009 at 2:04PM

Thanks everyone for the advise we will check out the co-op what is their criteria for opening an account? we still need to get this money back before Monday....

fermi · 25 April 2009 at 2:42PM

lokey wrote: »

Thanks everyone for the advise we will check out the co-op what is their criteria for opening an account? we still need to get this money back before Monday....

I you go for the Cashminder, then you should have no problems. Subject to ID checks.

There is no credit check, and you can get this account even if you are currently bankrupt. So should be fine.

Here: The Co-operative Bank | Cashminder

lxpeanut · 25 April 2009 at 3:32PM

I think the only thing to do is appeal to their better nature. If the one on the end of the phone wont help ask to be passed to their supervisor. As with all debt collectors I've found its easier to conduct dealings with BOS by letter. Get your parner to write to them with an offer including an SOA and ask for them to send you the details to set up a standing order. Do not try to do this over the phone because they will pressure and bully you into paying more than you can afford.

Lensman_2 · 25 April 2009 at 5:36PM

The rent is probably going to bounce. The best thing you can do is make sure it is paid up by the time next month's payment goes out.

Ring your Landlord/letting agent and explain what happened and (more importantly) what you are doing to make sure it never happens again. If you do the application on the net now, you will speak with more authority on Monday.

Good luck.

Edit - just had a look. You can't do it online, but you could call them on 0845 602 7057. Thanks for the link Fermi.

Blair Oliver Scott bullies

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