Bank charge reclaiming, basic instructions please!

halloweenqueen_2 · 14 September 2006 at 10:48AM

Hi
I have read the long running thread - i don't know if its me but I just don't seem to be able to retain the information!
I would like to claim from two banks for three accounts and I can go back 6 years with statements.
Two are with Barclays and one is with Halifax.
Basic thing I would like to know is where do you send your letters to? Is it to the head office or the local branch you bank with. Who would you address them to?
Do you need to send them recorded delivery or is prrof of posting - hich is free - enough?
I know theres lots of advice in the thread but i see to have a mental block and get bogged down in it all!
Thanks!

kessik · 14 September 2006 at 10:58AM

Hi
I have successfully claimed from First Direct and New Look Cards so far. By far the best advice I got has been on https://www.consumeractiongroup.com in the forums section. There is a forum for every bank and financial institution including addresses that work. There is a step by step guide to claiming charges and a FAQ section. It really is the best place to go for help and advice (not that everyone here isn't helpful!!!) but it's all there for you.

HTH

kessik

halloweenqueen_2 · 14 September 2006 at 11:05AM

Thanks, I've looked at that aswell - I don't know why i can't get the gist of it but most of what I read seems to go off at a tangent and I get lost again!

spud30 · 14 September 2006 at 11:08AM

What we need is a really basic step by step guide isnt it.

I have also looked at the Consumer Action Group forums, got lost by it all and left

Maybe it's my age

catkins · 14 September 2006 at 11:08AM

Yes, as kessik says if you go on the forum there is all the advice there you could ever need. I have just had a cheque from Halifax for £2,008 and I was helped all the way by the advice on the forums. There is a section which says something like "step by step guide" - read it, read it again and then read it again. Once you understand it you will be well on the way to getting your money back.

I had to go as far as issuing Court proceedings which I was scared about but I got help and a week after the proceedings were issued the Halifax paid up. Thought I would be the first person to actually have to go to Court!!

FrugalJo · 14 September 2006 at 11:37AM

Dear HQ
I too get confuddled. I particularly worry becuse HFC is my biggest debt but I know I've paid a couple of hundred in charges, I just worry they'll want all their money now !!
Jo

spud30 · 14 September 2006 at 11:44AM

FrugalJo wrote:

I particularly worry becuse HFC is my biggest debt but I know I've paid a couple of hundred in charges, I just worry they'll want all their money now !!
Jo

That is also my worry Jo.

A lot of my debt is with Nationwide, and I have £2000+ to claim back from them.

I've heard conflicting reports, some say dont rock the boat, some say it's your money, get it back

I have decided to give it a try because they have just reduced my agreed overdraft by £850, increasing the APR to almost 30%. Claiming back the charges is the only way I will ever repay it.

Just got to find myself a few hours to work out where to start

FrugalJo · 14 September 2006 at 12:01PM

Well good luck spud30, I think I'm going to hold fire for a while and investigate a little further. Like HQ I get side tracked and end up reading threads totally O/T !

make_life_easier · 14 September 2006 at 1:30PM

The basic steps are:
Data Protection Act -Request to find our what you are owed - get your bank statements from bank. Send in £10 with letter for these,

Prelim Letter to ask for the money back - this will be the first letter you send with the amount you are claiming back

Letter Before Action - final deadline for them to refund you - this will also include the amount you are claiming back plus the interest.

Court Action - I have read through some of the forums and they seem to get a court date - but they always seem to pay up before it goes to court.

I haven't done this but I think it is the way to go, this is what I am going to do.

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/faqs-please-read-these/243-step-step-instructions.html

ps I've never inserted a link before I hope I've done it right?

kessik · 14 September 2006 at 1:58PM

make_life_easier wrote:

Letter Before Action - final deadline for them to refund you - this will also include the amount you are claiming back plus the interest.

Gotta pick you up on this - you don't mention interest until you file your court claim. There is a spreadsheet on https://www.consumeractiongroup.com that will calculate your 8% interest and yes, you do send a copy of this with your letters BUT you only print the part with the charges, not the calculated interest. It's only when you claim either online or at the court that you put the full amount of charges plus interest.

If you are intending to try to reclaim your bank charges PLEASE read everything you can on the website above. There are very specific steps to follow and if you do not follow them your bank will realise that you don't really know what you are doing and treat you accordingly.

Many people (including me) have claimed successfully but there are no short cuts. You must know what you are doing!!!!

HTH

kessik

make_life_easier · 14 September 2006 at 2:13PM

Not got to this stage yet but in the LBA letter I have found it quotes

I require repayment in full of this money . If you do not comply fully within 14 days then I shall begin a claim against you for the full amount plus interest plus my costs and without further notice.

Is this wording wrong?

Bank charge reclaiming, basic instructions please!

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