Bank Charges Financial Hardship Disussion

norwichkaren

natweststaffmember wrote: »

If the account is closed then there isn't hardship being caused by it being closed(might be the logic). Are they putting a hold on charges on the open account? It might be worth asking them that since the other account is closed anyway. If the account hasn't been used then it isn't worsening hardship, I guess.

No you are right its not worsening it, but it is adding to my stress as its overdrawn and has been like that since I stopped using it. I havent made any arrangement to pay it off as I cant at the moment. Also the Preference account I have with them is also overdrawn as they added £60 worth of charges on to it when I went over the limit and didnt pay it off...so all accounts are overdrawn and not being paid off. The closed one was closed by them as the levied £50 of charges on to it which I refused to pay so they closed it and defaulted me.

Natski

natweststaffmember wrote: »

Have you received a response yet?

and be careful cos HSBC can say that they complied with the waiver on Financial hardship

"6.
Where the firm does not have sufficient evidence to assess whether or not the complainant is in fact in financial difficulty, the firm will seek such further relevant information as is reasonably required to make that assessment. In the event that the firm reasonably requires relevant information to be provided by the complainant and the complainant does not provide the requested information within a reasonable period of time, the firm shall not be obliged to treat such a complainant as being in financial difficulty."

Hi,

Yeah, I did receive an offer of £250 as a 'goodwill refund' rather than a refund of charges. I signed the acceptance form and sent back (beggars can't be choosers), but also included my priority arrears statements which HSBC never actually asked to see, despite me specifying in previous letters that I had priority arrears (so much for "the firm will seek such further relevant information as is reasonably required to make that assessment"). Total I'm claiming is £1800, haven't heard anything since then, that was a of couple weeks ago. Also haven't had the refund
Anyway, the FOS are also aware of my case (I sent in a complaint weeks ago, as I had received what I thought was HSBC's final response) and I think it was due to be looked at this week, but I forgot to sign my form (duh!), so the 'Consumer Consultant' sent it back to me last week to complete. I've sent it back to them yesterday, but now there's a postal strike, so no deliveries until Monday apparently! Aaargh!! :rotfl:

natweststaffmember

Natski wrote: »

Hi,

Yeah, I did receive an offer of £250 as a 'goodwill refund' rather than a refund of charges. I signed the acceptance form and sent back (beggars can't be choosers), but also included my priority arrears statements which HSBC never actually asked to see, despite me specifying in previous letters that I had priority arrears (so much for "the firm will seek such further relevant information as is reasonably required to make that assessment"). Total I'm claiming is £1800, haven't heard anything since then, that was a of couple weeks ago. Also haven't had the refund
Anyway, the FOS are also aware of my case (I sent in a complaint weeks ago, as I had received what I thought was HSBC's final response) and I think it was due to be looked at this week, but I forgot to sign my form (duh!), so the 'Consumer Consultant' sent it back to me last week to complete. I've sent it back to them yesterday, but now there's a postal strike, so no deliveries until Monday apparently! Aaargh!! :rotfl:

If it doesn't rain, it pours. Glad to hear that they have made an interim offer which for them is pretty good(cos they don't mostly). Remember everything else is still on the table with HSBC once the OFT test case finishes. The FOS may agree or disagree with HSBC but the offer is a good positive thing.

aaj8714

I am in Financial Hardship as i have Gas, Electric, Rent Arrears of which i have filled in 2 x IE forms and sent back to the NATWEST. They still say i am not and don't meet their criteria (What a load of rubbish). I am currently sick and only receive £128.60 per fortnight Employment and Sickness BENEFIT. I had a Direct Debit of £16.12 returned because it took me over my overdraft limit and BANG £35.00 CHARGE AND £28.00 CHARGES TO BE APPLIED NEXT MONTH AGAIN. that is £63.00 for a £16.12 charge and all it does is put me further in DEBT plus they will take this money from my Benefit payment. Yes further debt and the NATWEST DO NOT CARE AT ALL. I called into my local bank for help and all they do is refer me back to Customer Response Unit in EDINBURGH who don't listen either. I appear not to be in financial difficulty my backside ITS A JOKE and the bank is using all it's doors to close in my face. I have what appears to be a final letter from them saying nothing will be done. So I have sent all their replies and a print off from the FSA complaint site and sent these details to the FSA to see if they will pursue and make them listen. They owe me £3500 at least up to now. I imagine alot of you seem in same boat and appear to be banging your head against a brick wall. It's a wonder BANKS haven't any BLOOD on their hands as people probably feel suicidal at times with so much STRESS this is causing.

natweststaffmember

aaj8714 wrote: »

I am in Financial Hardship as i have Gas, Electric, Rent Arrears of which i have filled in 2 x IE forms and sent back to the NATWEST. They still say i am not and don't meet their criteria (What a load of rubbish). I am currently sick and only receive £128.60 per fortnight Employment and Sickness BENEFIT. I had a Direct Debit of £16.12 returned because it took me over my overdraft limit and BANG £35.00 CHARGE AND £28.00 CHARGES TO BE APPLIED NEXT MONTH AGAIN. that is £63.00 for a £16.12 charge and all it does is put me further in DEBT plus they will take this money from my Benefit payment. Yes further debt and the NATWEST DO NOT CARE AT ALL. I called into my local bank for help and all they do is refer me back to Customer Response Unit in EDINBURGH who don't listen either. I appear not to be in financial difficulty my backside ITS A JOKE and the bank is using all it's doors to close in my face. I have what appears to be a final letter from them saying nothing will be done. So I have sent all their replies and a print off from the FSA complaint site and sent these details to the FSA to see if they will pursue and make them listen. They owe me £3500 at least up to now. I imagine alot of you seem in same boat and appear to be banging your head against a brick wall. It's a wonder BANKS haven't any BLOOD on their hands as people probably feel suicidal at times with so much STRESS this is causing.

Ok, are any of the priority debt arrears being paid off as part of any payment plan?
Have NatWest explained why they do not consider you to be in hardship?

Orford

aaj8714 wrote: »

So I have sent all their replies and a print off from the FSA complaint site and sent these details to the FSA to see if they will pursue and make them listen. .

I assume you mean the Finacial Ombudsman service, not the FSA

aaj8714

Yes my arrears for Gas and Electric £800 and £700 each are being taken at £10 per week each off my Payment meter and NO the NATWEST did not give their reason on both occassions why i am not in financial hardship as they appear to be standard letters as both are the same and only say i don't meet their CRITERIA. SO I SAY WHAT IS THEIR CRITERIA and it appears i get no responsive answer to this. And to the previous reply i have written a complaint to the FSA but am sending one also to the Financial Ombudsman too. Many Thanks for replies.

natweststaffmember

aaj8714 wrote: »

Yes my arrears for Gas and Electric £800 and £700 each are being taken at £10 per week each off my Payment meter and NO the NATWEST did not give their reason on both occassions why i am not in financial hardship as they appear to be standard letters as both are the same and only say i don't meet their CRITERIA. SO I SAY WHAT IS THEIR CRITERIA and it appears i get no responsive answer to this. And to the previous reply i have written a complaint to the FSA but am doind one also to the Financial Ombudsman too. Many Thanks for replies.

When you did the income and expenditure form was it a postive or negative balance at the end of it?

aaj8714

It was a negative so i therefore have to sometimes borrow off my family which i hate doing.

natweststaffmember

aaj8714 wrote: »

It was a negative so i therefore have to sometimes borrow off my family which i hate doing.

I think I have gas and electic(arrears being paid off) what about rent arrears? Is there anything in place to pay off any arrears on those?