Help Quick Halifax Taken My Money

DavidDaft

Need help ASAP, I have a normal current account with Halifax and I also owe Halifax Bank £733 on a student overdraft which im currently tying to sort a payment plan with, the matter is been dealt with by the Retail Bank Collections and the advisors advised me to look into a payment plan and suggested I contacted Play plan and Gregory Pennington.

I rung the companies, Pay plan couldn’t help has I’m only £6500 in debt and you need to be £8000 and Gregory Pennington charge £30 per month, so am currently deciding the next step of action. Whether or not to decide to go on a payment plan with Gregory Pennington (have been advised on this board not to) or write to my creditors myself to sort the some payment plans and hopefully 0% interest.

I have been in frequent contact with the Retail Bank Collections and was advised on Tuesday this week that my account was on hold and I wouldn’t need to make a payment and wouldn’t receive any charges to I decided what was happening, I was last on the phone to the Retail Bank Collections yesterday to tell them that I was hoping to talk to the CCCS and would let them now an outcome soon, As before the advisor said the account is on hold and I wouldn’t occur any charges and also Advised me not to go with Gregory Pennington and the CCCS was the better option has they are a free service.

I was unemployed for 6months so relocated South to get employment to enable me to get my debts down and et back on my feet. I landed a job and my wages have been going into my Halifax current account, I saved my first weeks wages and received my second weeks wage today.

I have just been online and my account has £489 missing. It says balance £29 with my £100 overdraft but available balance £0. Imagine my horror has I was expecting around £490.

£350 has been transferred out not stating where, but when you look into the statement for the Student Overdraft it as a £350 transferred in, (I AINT TRANSFERRED A PENNY).

I’ve just rung Halifax’s 24-hour line, (as the Retail Bank Collections is shut till tomorrow); the advisor couldn’t give me much information and said my account was now Overdraft because of a transfer? Does that mean I occur a charge? Thus putting me further in debt when I aunt transferred a penny. The advisor has given me the number for Head Office to ring in the morning.

Can anyone advise me what to say?

Basically they’ve just taken my rent money for this month, I thought I was getting back on feet (Slowly but getting back) and this could ruin everything and could result in me having no accommodation and therefore no job. I need the money transferred back and can’t afford any charges occurred especially has I ain`t touch my account.

I`ve worked really hard to relocate for new employment was a massive step and was (I thought) starting to pay off I was earning again step 1 to getting myself back on the road to recovery. Sorry if this sounds like a slob sorry but I’m at my wits end.

Please Help

MarkyMarkD

Nearly every bank's terms and conditions will allow them to offset debts on one account against credits on another. The lesson would be NOT to use one bank for your income, if you already have debts with them - but it's easier said than done, as other banks may not want your custom if you have an account in arrears elsewhere.

Halifax almost definitely haven't done anything wrong per their Ts & Cs, but they should have told you what they were going to do.

System

David, I feel truly sorry for you as something similar could've happened to me recently.

I take it as given that you've got no other cash available in other accounts elsewhere?

I'd call CCCS for independent advice as soon as possible.

Is the Student o/d your only debt? If it is and you're working, then can you arrange a loan to cover your rent? I'd see what the staff at your local Halifax can advise.

Is there a family member who could lend you the money temporarily?

Also, is there another bank a/c not connected to the Halifax where you have your next wages paid into? You must make sure your work doesn't pay into the Hal Current a/c again or they may take that too.

Sorry I can't be of any more help, David.

Dave

DavidDaft

No mate it isnt my only debt am working hard to pay off all my debts, I dont have another penny for rent, food, transport to work next week or anything. Thing is they said my Overdraft account has been put on hold to I speak to the CCCS and decide what to do and that was 8PM thursday looks by the Friday they taken mu money.

Im skint and knackered no rent, no roof over my head, no roof=no job and move back north were getting a jobs a real struggle also I would lose my house deposit and life back on the dole were they wouldnt get a penny from me has I could`nt afford much payments,

fatbelly

Hi David

Frankly, any debt adviser should have seen this would happen and advised you to try to open another account for your wages. But it sounds like you haven't had a proper interview yet.

There is a thing called right of first appropriation, which means that you should have first say about how you use your money, but this doesn't seem to be enshrined in law and I guess you would have had to write to the halifax before the money went in to say how you wanted to spend it! If there's an easier way perhaps someone will tell us.

I suppose you could ask them how they view the right of first appropriation and see what they say.

johannamse

This is a real pain in the !!!!!!.

However...I wanted to post that you are not in horrendous amounts of debt and with a little bit of organisation, you will be backo ntrack in no time.

First open another account with another bank and get your wages paid in here.

Second, you need to do a statement of affairs. Write you weekly / monthly income on, and then allocate whatever is left fairly among your creditors.

Thirdly, ring Halifax today (I suspect no one will be able to help you until Monday) and send them the statement of affairs. Explain to them, that you appraciate that they were within their rights to take the money, but that you could loose your job etc etc. Explain to them that in the statement of affairs they will be getting 50/60/70 per month (whatever you work out). Be polite. Try not to be angry. Hopefully they should try to help.

You definitely do not sound like lazy slob. You WILL get this sorted soon, with a little bit of effort. Try to remain calm at all times. I know this is hard, but you will achieve more. Good Luck.

DavidDaft

I rung Halifax Head Office yesterday and they have refunded my money, So its time to open a new account on Monday and I thank myself very lucky.
I am currently in the middle of writing letters and working out budgets so I can make an offer and get them in the post tommorrow.

Also a quick note when they took the money from my account my statement read transfer £XXX Friday 4th November and has the date money transferred back has Friday 4th November even though it was Saturday 5th Novmeber anyone know why? Just a quick thought
Thank you to everyone for their help.

johannamse

well done david.

Don't let this happen again - you may not be so lucky next time.

Good Luck with it all.