Response From Financial Ombudsmen in response to Bank Charges Reclaim

HopefulJen

Hi,

I thought you'd like to know about a letter I've received from F.O. in response to a request to claim bank charges. They sent a confirmation letter with a complaint number prior to this point, with a comment that they are experiencing a high level of complaints at the moment.

They have stated in the letter that:

" The Office of Fair Trading has been considering these charges for some time, and has not brought legal proceedings in the High Court to decide the issues of law that are raised in these complaints.

The Law is one of the thing we are required to take into account when we make decisions about cases and the proceedings are intended to clarify the law. So, after careful consideration, we have decided that we will await the outcome of the court proceedings and will not investigate bank charges at this time..."

They go onto explain that they have told my bank that I have complained about bank charges and asked for my complaint to be recorded. My bank should send me formal acnkowledgement and they must keep me informed about the High Court proceedings and let me know the outcome. When the outcome of the legal proceedings are concluded, they will write to me about my complaint.

If at that stage my complaint remains unresolved, I can go back to the F.O.
They've returned my paper evidence also.

It seems that when we are claiming charges and go to the F.O. this will be the response. The good part is that the F.O. has contacted my bank and that there is a formal process Bank needs to go through now they have.

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Part of my complaint to both Bank and F.O. in writing was about charges made when my cashpoint and my internet banking told me that I had funds available, and when money was withdrawn to that total ( in good faith relying on that total ) I then went O/D without being warned that this was the case at the point of transaction. Obviously charges were incurred. An automated reply to my complaints explained that the Bank cannot guarantee that customer's accounts display accurate balances and this may result in going O/D. :mad: A customer services person actually told me that I should keep a running accounting on paper of my own expenditure to prevent this happening !!:o So folks, that is what I'm doing and I am relying on that only. I am taking this part of the complaint which has not been responded to back to F.O. and the Bank. Will keep you informed.

Jen.

natweststaffmember

Jen, I wouldn't have used that argument because it is not really one that is going to get a refund. Financial Hardship because of the charges may do though.