can i claim ... (urgent please advise soon)

vikki2k1

financial hardship? i was un employed for over 4 years total and i had took out a overdraft or 3 whilst unemployed, one of the accounts has recently been payed off in full and closed by the bank as it was total charges and i had only used £1 of it! but now the other and more serious one with a different bank has been closed and they are demanding i pay the total of £1275 within 14 days! i couldnt even pay them £12.75 in 14 days never mind 12k so can i claim financial hardship, and should i call them first or just write?
thanks in advance

militantconsumer

For the old one, start a claim now. It will get put on hold but at least you will be in the queue. If you are in financial hardship NOW (not over the last 4 years) then it will get dealt with more quickly.

For the new one, is any of the £1,275 made up of bank charges? (presumably yes). You need to start a claim on that one as well and hopefully once the account is "in dispute" (i.e. disputed by you) they will hold off debt recovery procedures and give you a sensible time to repay the amount you really owe (less than 1,275)

For advice on being chased to repay in 14 days and whatever threats and worries come out of that, I suggest you go the 'dealing with debt' sections of the MSE website and the forums.

vikki2k1

so do i just go through it all as standard reclaiming or is there something different i must do for the financial hardship? yes i am in it now!
and do i call the bank first or just write to them? thanks