Bank Charges Financial Hardship Disussion

Felix_the_Foccer

My claim against the Abbey has been on hold for a while now at Bromley County Court.

I've just called Abbey customer services and was put through to'Complaints' as they're dealing with the bank charges matters apparently ...

I explained that as I was no longer working and have been in receipt of JobSeekers Allowance etc then I would like my case to beconsidered under the 'Financial Hardship' matters ...

The first guy denied all knowledge of it but then I spoke to a lady and again asked could they send me whichever form I needed to record a Financial Statement for them etc ..

She then said that before that, I need to go to my local Citizens Advice office, where 'they'll help me with some forms' (although she couldn't tell me what for and why!)

I couldn't see a template on MSE (maybe it's my bad eyes!) but I found THIS ONE (& Spreadsheet) on CAG.

I said it seemed a bit needless but she just kept on insisting.

Just gonna look for a template on here and will use that but it does seem a bit mean of the Abbey to be sending people to CAB when there really isn't a need (imho).

Edit: I couldn't see a 'Financial Hardship' temlate on MSE although found THIS ONE (inc. a Financial Hardship speadsheet) on CAG

Orford

See here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/oft-bank-charges#hardship

A_fiend_for_life

I have just read the hardship article and this thread.

I have looked through my statements and found that I do indeed have over £500 of charges for the last 12 months with HBOS (hence my user id).

I was advised I would receive a response within 5 days either by phone or correspondence.

I went through the current accounts number and CS agent forward my 'complaint' their word.

Note: The number to call for HBOS is the customer relations team on 08457 25 35 19 not sure of the opening hours as I went through the current accounts number on the statement.

I also requested a comprehensive list of charges under the data protection rules and was told there was a £5 charge for this - even though some folk receive it for free on calling.(?). I was also told that I can not receive a comprehensive list of charges as my account is in arrears!?. This sounds like a load of tosh.

Resolution / rejection should at least be consistent between complainants so:
What criteria have people satisfied on the list of criteria as amended by the FOS?

I also have a potential default notice coming up followed by a CCJ. So this potentially adds extra weight when it comes to speaking to the court.

Thanks for this thread and posts by the way this is very useful.

I'll keep you posted.

kat81

I think I am gonna try this route.

I am always in my overdraft and am definitely struggling to live on what i earn due to my debts. HSBC Keepcharging me £150 for going over my overdraft which is not helping my situation at all.I have just called them and they claim to know nothing about the financial hardship guidelines (howconvenient) but have provided me with another HSBC number to call (0845 88 11 55 mon - fri 9am til5pm) so am hoping they may be able to help.

melissa'smoney

I have just rung the A&L after reading the article. The lady thought it was for people on benifits only but after pointing out some of the FSA's qualifying terms she willingly wrote notes on my behalf and said someone would be in touch??
Obviously i work but my income barely covers my outgoings so i live in my overdraft and exceed it most months, hence my £5000 reclaim which has gone to court as is still on a stay.

I got myself into a mess after taking a lower paid job on 32hrs pw which has led to me using my overdraft, exceeding it and regualry living on my CC.

Can i claim on the 'exceeding £500pa in overdraft charges' and 'regualrly living from a CC' alone or do i need more hardship circumstances than that?

x

gizwazgal

My Husband lost his job in october 2006 and at that time as I had lost my mother we had a bit of money that enabled us to live and pay bills but as the Benefits agency took this into account we gradually began to struggle and the little bit of money we had disappeared. As paying billls etc became more difficult we were receiving bank charges left right and centre from HSBC. Our mortgage was also with them which meant that although we had cancelled all direct debits with HSBC they still tried to pay it to themselves but of course the payment wouldnt go through. Consequently not only did they slap extra interest on the arrears they also chrged for the returned and failed direct debits. This carried on for almost 6 months despite repeated phone calls to the mortgage department trying to make a proper repayment plan and also the bank themselves . Our chrges went through the roof and as a result of this when my husband did finally get back into employment we were so much in debt to the bank and everyone else that we ended up having to take out a loan to pay off the overdraft and the other debts we had incurred. Although we are now both working and just keeping afloat we would not now be classed as having a hardship case but whilst my husband was out of work we certainly did and it became more so because of the charges that HSBC piled onto us .Would we be able to back date the hardship claim till then ?

Thanks

redbeard2000

My mother in law (68, living off a pension, no savings) lost a chunk of her income when her lodger was committed to a care home.

For this reason I think she qualifies to reclaim charges from the Halifax because of financial hardship.

She is worried that admitting hardship to the bank could lead them to withdraw or reduce her overdraft.This has happened once before, when she began receiving her state pension. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I notice an earlier posting in this forum mentioning the possibility of the overdraft actually being extended, could anyone confirm this? Thank you!

mrst74

My husband has a claim with Barclays which has since been put on hold.

However, in March this year he broke his leg and has not worked since. He is self-employed so is not earning, although has been able to claim the minimum incapacity benefit of approx £60 each week.

The FSA July 08 guidance talks about various different categories which people can be in to claim financial hardship. My husband falls into at least 1, possibly 2 of these categories. His regular credits have stopped (i.e. no income) and we have also borrowed money, although from our parents and not a bank/BS but still have to pay this back and this will now stop as they cannot keep lending us money.

His monthly payments are still being met as I ensure that money is in his account each month and his mortgage payments are made through my account, to avoid more bank charges, but as my wage does not cover our outgoings each month I go deeper into my overdraft.

My question is would he still be able to claim for financial hardship although he only falls into one of the categories in the FSA guidance or does he have to fall into more or all of the categories?

:j

_David__2

Hi all!

I have paid out a huge amount in charges over the past few years. I have recently come to the brink of disaster and I am looking at everything to do with my finances and trying to sort them out. I have filled in the budget planner and I very obviously spend much more than I earn.... I have asked Abbey to increase my overdraft to allieviate charges but the refused, then I couldn't pay my mortgage. I have come to an agreement with my mortagage lender, and having not paid my mortagage for a few months and cancelled direct debits - to avoid charges for returned DD's things have settled slightly but I'm aware that a huge chunk of my debt is due to bank charges. Should I have a crack at getting these back.

Edinburghlass_2

Start your claim and use the hardship ruling, read Martin's article here...

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/oft-bank-charges#hardship