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I need help & don't know where to post this

Natalie_Clapp
Natalie_Clapp Posts: 24 Forumite
in Praise, vent & warnings
Hi there, I really need help concerning a matter that happened last tuesday. 12/01/10. To cut a long story short, i was wrongly accused of fraud in my local abbey/santander branch. Both my accounts were closed (leaving me with no bank account) i was told of the suspect fraud in the public vicinity of the branch (not in a private room) and was told that i was no longer to bank with them. I was highly upset obviously. Later, on the phone...they admitted a serious error had occured on their part and they reinstated my 2 cards and put an amount of money into one of them as a good will gesture (i didnt ask them to or agree to do this...they informed me after they had done this) I will not touch the money and have written a letter to them this morning (finally feel up to it) I am emotionally fragile at the mo and am devastated about this. A solicitor has advised to write first of all but can anyone advise me of anything else i can do. I can send people a copy of the letter if they wish on request. Shall I contact the press? not sure what to do.
Thanks in advance
Natalie
«134567

Comments

  • Mips
    Mips Posts: 19,796 Forumite
    How much money did they offer you as a goodwill gesture?


    On the plus side.. at least you will probably never see anyone from the bank again :)
    :cool:
  • Natalie_Clapp
    Natalie_Clapp Posts: 24 Forumite
    hi there, they lady i spoke to didn't even acknowledge how much was put in there. Probably about a tenner...wont know until my new account cards come through the door. Nothing to shout about anyway.
    Natalie
  • amistupid
    amistupid Posts: 55,997 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic I've been Money Tipped!
    edited 18 January 2010 at 3:38PM
    What more do you want from them?

    I'd have thought if their actions were that defamatory or slanderous and worth mega bucks the solicitor you consulted would now have you in his office plying you with tea and biscuits, rather than advising you to write a letter.
    In memory of Chris Hyde #867
  • Mips
    Mips Posts: 19,796 Forumite
    Natalie_Clapp wrote: »
    hi there, they lady i spoke to didn't even acknowledge how much was put in there. Probably about a tenner...wont know until my new account cards come through the door. Nothing to shout about anyway.
    Natalie

    Have you suffered problems due to the fact your accounts have been closed? Have you struggled with access to money? Had problems with any Direct Debits?

    I would document all of this (if relevant) and write a strong complaint letter.

    The embarrassment is fresh in your mind, and rightly so - this should have been cleared up in the bank.

    To accuse you of fraud to your face - is slander I think or maybe libel.. something along those lines..

    .. you should have stayed and demanded to know how this happened.
    :cool:
  • jessilu1
    jessilu1 Posts: 12,641 Forumite
    nordtraveller wrote: »
    A first time poster with an 'interesting' name :think:

    I'd contact The Press, just think of all the puns they could add to the story . . . .

    Awww don't be hard on her, she sounds as upset as I would be if I'd been accused of fraud in public or even in private come to that

    . I'd have probably done the same and searched the internet for answers and found this site, so nothing sinister about being a newbie I'm sure.
    Knowledge is often mistaken for intelligence. This is like mistaking a cup of milk for the whole cow.
  • Natalie_Clapp
    Natalie_Clapp Posts: 24 Forumite
    Nord Traveller...it certainly is my name! End of. Those jokes finished in school.
    I did stay...in absolute tears within the bank and the reason i was accused first of all was due to a mistake on their part. In cardiff, not one solicitor is available to deal with slander or defamation of character as it is a rare occurence. I was advised that taking the bank to court could run into £100,000's and would be a final resort! I wasn't looking for judgement here, just advice! There are ways of professionally complaining...and a letter to the bank is first, then to contact the financial ombudsmann and then finally to take legal action. The letter has been sent today and all information is being documented. Thankyou Dippychick for your help.
    Natalie
  • nordtraveller
    nordtraveller Posts: 5,061 Forumite
    Fair enough. I take it back.
    Oh what's the bloody point...?
  • Natalie_Clapp
    Natalie_Clapp Posts: 24 Forumite
    thank you jessilu. I am 25 and a student and not currently employed. What would have happened to an employed person if they had their only accounts removed!? It has made me very ill thinking about the way they handled the situation...and trust me, i am not a weak individual.
    Natalie
  • amistupid
    amistupid Posts: 55,997 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic I've been Money Tipped!
    Natalie_Clapp wrote: »
    A solicitor has advised to write first of all but can anyone advise me of anything else i can do. I can send people a copy of the letter if they wish on request. Shall I contact the press? not sure what to do.

    I'm not being funny Natalie but you have sought professional legal advice, what more help do you hope to get on a money saving site, I doubt whether any barristers or QC's cruise the site giving free advice. ;)
    In memory of Chris Hyde #867
  • Reggie_Rebel
    Reggie_Rebel Posts: 5,036 Forumite
    I wouldn't continue to bank with them of they offered me a thousand pounds in compo
    It's taken me years of experience to get this cynical
This discussion has been closed.
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