Bank Charges Financial Hardship Disussion

haggisbasher_3

Hi Again

The letter I am referring to was delivered to me on 25th June, some 2 months ago now, thats why I am assuming thats their final response. I was advised by the ombudsman that they had 8 weeks to issue a final response which has now expired.

I was then advised to contact them if no other communication had been received, which I have now done. I'll post a reply once I have heard from the ombudsman, in any case its a relatively small amount I am claiming.

I also have a claim in to the same bank for my wifes account which has had the same response, they don't seem to want to pay out. Lets hope the ombudsman can persuade them otherwise.

12MoNtHaNtIcLiMaX

Hi, I have applied for my bank charges back from LloydsTSB and they just send the same generic letters saying firstly they take everything seriously and that they are dealing with the 'complaint' and then when they are pressed by me through a second letter, (your second template) they then refer me to the collections team, as if this is a mere overspending issue!
The letter goes on in some depths about the case itself, a sure fire way to blind people with b.s. No-one cares about the legalities of the case at this stage, they just want their money. One sentence near the end of the letter says, "We appreciate that you may have wanted to have your complaint dealt with more quickly, but we can assure you we are taking steps to ensure that your complaint WILL NOT BE DISADVANTAGED whilst the test case continues." Utter rubbish, this line is there, as you have mentioned in your website before in the past, to try and draw a line under any momentum by the customer to get the process in motion for getting their money back. I am claimiing hardship because I have lost two well paying jobs since March, I am unable to pay child maintainance for my only son and I have had to just be as honest as possible to my utility, phone and council services, telling them that I am on the dole, looking for jobs that aren't there any more and having to deal with a constant stream of debt collection letters coming through my letter box.
I know that directly, none of these things are the banks problem, but the fact that they are trying to use tactics to stop me getting hold of valuable monies that would ease my HARDSHIP, means that they are going against the waiver, potentially. Anyhow, good luck with this, guys.....:beer:

Simon

pbell

We made the claim in my son’s name who was charged in excess of £1600 while studying for a degree at Portsmouth University. We made the first claim in June 2007 using the template on the moneysavingexpert.com website. The claim reference is 141019. Although working between June 2007 and September 2008, he then left work to commence studying for a Masters degree at Manchester University. In September 2008 he made a claim under the financial hardship exemption as he was then in full time education. This has been completely ignored by Lloyds TSB except in January 2009 he received their standard letter with a leaflet ‘how to voice your concerns’, saying how sorry they were to learn he had a complaint. Where does he go from here? Now he has finished his Masters he is now working so does not now come under the full time education category. This whole fiasco about charges is a disgrace. Ironically he only funded his Masters with a loan from Lloyds for which he has paid dearly and when he discussed how he could fund his studies, any questions about refunding bank charges fell on really deaf ears.

natweststaffmember

12MoNtHaNtIcLiMaX wrote: »

Hi, I have applied for my bank charges back from LloydsTSB and they just send the same generic letters saying firstly they take everything seriously and that they are dealing with the 'complaint' and then when they are pressed by me through a second letter, (your second template) they then refer me to the collections team, as if this is a mere overspending issue!
The letter goes on in some depths about the case itself, a sure fire way to blind people with b.s. No-one cares about the legalities of the case at this stage, they just want their money.
Apologies and I know you are angry with the bank but that is an awful attitude to take considering that the litigation could potentially revolutionise the way we bank. If the Court case is lost then it's potentially game over so you gotta know about the legalities and what has been decided otherwise you argue penalty charges and you lose, full stop.

One sentence near the end of the letter says, "We appreciate that you may have wanted to have your complaint dealt with more quickly, but we can assure you we are taking steps to ensure that your complaint WILL NOT BE DISADVANTAGED whilst the test case continues." Utter rubbish, this line is there, as you have mentioned in your website before in the past, to try and draw a line under any momentum by the customer to get the process in motion for getting their money back. I am claimiing hardship because I have lost two well paying jobs since March, I am unable to pay child maintainance for my only son and I have had to just be as honest as possible to my utility, phone and council services, telling them that I am on the dole, looking for jobs that aren't there any more and having to deal with a constant stream of debt collection letters coming through my letter box.
I know that directly, none of these things are the banks problem, but the fact that they are trying to use tactics to stop me getting hold of valuable monies that would ease my HARDSHIP, means that they are going against the waiver, potentially.
Under financial hardship they DON'T have to payback even 1p in charges, for example, if they wrote to you and simply said we will stop charges and interest for 3 months then they have done their lot under hardship. If you are on the dole will your council tax be reduced(which it should be) and are you entitled to Local Housing Allowance/Housing Benefit? Does your mortgage have PPI on it and have you claimed on that?
Anyhow, good luck with this, guys.....:beer:

Simon

Simon, you may be angry but the letters are informing you and are FSA Compliant(once you get through the parts that you think are B.S then you get to cream ie what they are going to do with your claim).

natweststaffmember

pbell wrote: »

We made the claim in my son’s name who was charged in excess of £1600 while studying for a degree at PortsmouthUniversity. We made the first claim in June 2007 using the template on the moneysavingexpert.com website. The claim reference is 141019. Although working between June 2007 and September 2008, he then left work to commence studying for a Masters degree at ManchesterUniversity. In September 2008 he made a claim under the financial hardship exemption as he was then in full time education. This has been completely ignored by Lloyds TSB except in January 2009 he received their standard letter with a leaflet ‘how to voice your concerns’, saying how sorry they were to learn he had a complaint. Where does he go from here? Now he has finished his Masters he is now working so does not now come under the full time education category. This whole fiasco about charges is a disgrace. Ironically he only funded his Masters with a loan from Lloyds for which he has paid dearly and when he discussed how he could fund his studies, any questions about refunding bank charges fell on really deaf ears.

Being in full time education per se, is not necessarily financial hardship. I am afraid it's a wait and see. Did he have priority debt arrears(mortgage/rent, council tax, utilities)? Were they cleared?

bodger31

Hi there i have also got a charges claim in with the HSBC and i contacted them in februaury about the hardship waiver. as to be expected with the HSBC the staff on the phone knew nothing about the waiver and spoke to me as if i had was coming from another planet. after losing my rag and demanding a manager who agreed there was such waiver and that i needed to go into see a branch person. This was obviously hard due to the fact i could not really afford the time of work but i did arrange this in June. i spent a total of 1 and half hours in the branch giving all my details on my finances and was told i would hear within 3 days. True to their word 3 days later i heard from the credit team who said they could not help me with any new loans or reduction in my current loan, as i pointed out i never wanted them too in the first place i was then told it was sent to the wrong department (surprised at that not) It was then sent to the correct department who then started to ask me for all the details again because i had not given them ( after pointing out time spent in branch) i was told to contact my local branch to find my info. (nothing like doing their job is there) So i did i went through the phone rigmoral of calling the only no speaking to a customer service advisor explaining why i needed to be put through to the branch(primarly because you can never get a branch direct no.) The manager at my branch then apologised and advised me the person from the charges team did not look on the right screen to see al my details and that she had advised her where they are and someone will be in touch later today. Credit given when due they did call back on that day and after confirming my details they stated i was not in hardship even though i have 2 payday loans that i need to renew every month without fail just to survive. Of course though they are helping me now because since then when ever i use my solo debit card they authorise the payments even though there is no money in the account and then refuse the transaction 2 days later so i now have a problem with the retailer and of course the HSBC can continue to add to my hardship by charging me another £98 THIS MONTH IN CHARGES. how very helpfull they are. I am going to contact the FOS because the service from the HSBC is diabolical and my own recomendation is that if anybody wants to bank with them do at your own risk, because the last person who did what the banks do had to where a mask and carry a gun and he was called !!!!!! Turpin.
Thanks to HSbc for their not so helpful staff with their understanding. Oh i just remembered the HSBC started as the Midland bank (the listening bank ) NOT!!!!

mikeq_2

I have been trying to reclaim money against the Halifax under the hardship case ruling. They have subsequently refused my claim.

I asked the FOS to take the case on but they have agreed with the bank and rejected my claim, but invited me to appeal.

I appealed detailing my current debt and employment situation but they have today once again refused to deal with my claim agreeing with the bank.

Is there anyone else i can take my case to.

Thanks

RedRose1_2

Please can anyone help with a quick question?
I'm trying to help my Dad claim his charges back and wondered if I can try and claim back his account fees within this?
He was being charged £12.95 per month for 6 years but stopped using this as his main account in Jan this year. Can I try and claim the £12.95 per month back too does anyone know?

Thanks,
RR1

natweststaffmember

RedRose1 wrote: »

Please can anyone help with a quick question?
I'm trying to help my Dad claim his charges back and wondered if I can try and claim back his account fees within this?
He was being charged £12.95 per month for 6 years but stopped using this as his main account in Jan this year. Can I try and claim the £12.95 per month back too does anyone know?

Thanks,
RR1

The basic answer is maybe. The account fees are for a package of benefits. You need to sit down and look at all of the ones he could have used against ones he couldn't. For example, car insurance and he's blind, car breakdown would be similar. You would then need to work out how much he has or could have benefitted and then ask the question to the bank on that basis. I would also get him to downgrade his account to a non fee based account.

natweststaffmember

bodger31 wrote: »

Hi there i have also got a charges claim in with the HSBC and i contacted them in februaury about the hardship waiver. as to be expected with the HSBC the staff on the phone knew nothing about the waiver and spoke to me as if i had was coming from another planet. after losing my rag and demanding a manager who agreed there was such waiver and that i needed to go into see a branch person. This was obviously hard due to the fact i could not really afford the time of work but i did arrange this in June. i spent a total of 1 and half hours in the branch giving all my details on my finances and was told i would hear within 3 days. True to their word 3 days later i heard from the credit team who said they could not help me with any new loans or reduction in my current loan, as i pointed out i never wanted them too in the first place i was then told it was sent to the wrong department (surprised at that not) It was then sent to the correct department who then started to ask me for all the details again because i had not given them ( after pointing out time spent in branch) i was told to contact my local branch to find my info. (nothing like doing their job is there) So i did i went through the phone rigmoral of calling the only no speaking to a customer service advisor explaining why i needed to be put through to the branch(primarly because you can never get a branch direct no.) The manager at my branch then apologised and advised me the person from the charges team did not look on the right screen to see al my details and that she had advised her where they are and someone will be in touch later today. Credit given when due they did call back on that day and after confirming my details they stated i was not in hardship even though i have 2 payday loans that i need to renew every month without fail just to survive. Of course though they are helping me now because since then when ever i use my solo debit card they authorise the payments even though there is no money in the account and then refuse the transaction 2 days later so i now have a problem with the retailer and of course the HSBC can continue to add to my hardship by charging me another £98 THIS MONTH IN CHARGES. how very helpfull they are. I am going to contact the FOS because the service from the HSBC is diabolical and my own recomendation is that if anybody wants to bank with them do at your own risk, because the last person who did what the banks do had to where a mask and carry a gun and he was called !!!!!! Turpin.
Thanks to HSbc for their not so helpful staff with their understanding. Oh i just remembered the HSBC started as the Midland bank (the listening bank ) NOT!!!!

As awful as this may sound, the payday loans are potentially the reason why they haven't paid out on financial hardship. You are inflating your income by doing so which means that the bank sees income going in and that is the current issue.
With regards to their process, there is an income and expenditure form on their site:
Link is here: http://www.hbeu1.hsbc.com/ukpersonal/budgetexpensescalc/ins.jsp
Telephone number is: 0845 6006423
You would need a reference number but you can quote LCC01