Dont know what to do!

clairebear33

I have cut up my overdraft card, and have set up a direct debit from my pay account to this account to pay off this overdraft gradually so by the time I leave uni this should be clear.

You are right, I need to do this, its all these little things that all add up.

My parents dont know there are any finances to sort out, if they knew I had an overdraft I dont think I'd be very popular...!! They were declared bankrupt early last year and keep telling me they dont want me to follow in their footsteps. Debt is an awful thing

DaveBrum_2

try this to reclaim your charges....

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges

Janey3

I know it's only a few days to Friday, but if you rang them, you won't jump everytime the phone rings and you can have a bit of peace!

pepe2008

Hi Clairbear, my daughter had the same problem.
First of all, if its going to be OK on Friday then you dont need to speak to them yet.
If they are Charging you for using your debit card ( £35 a hit, but NOT actually doing anything ) then Complain to them.
My daughter was hit with 6 £35 charges, i pointed out to the Halifax that they had taken no action to stop her using her card and that it was in their interest to let her overspend at £35 a go. They caved in after two letters and a phone call.
In your first letter, apologise for the situation, point out that you are a Student so low income etc.....dont rant, you'll get nowhere.
Good Luck

clairebear33

I do wonder why they let me go over :S

theyre charging me £20 a hit - so not worth it!! i dont know why I got into this mess.

what happend after you sent them the letters? did they give charges back or stop allowing her to use her debit card without funds?

I wouldnt know what to say to them if i rang them, this is the thing

It will be ok on friday, I get paid then and the money goes direct into that account. Going to be another skint month in april!!

clairebear33

while im here, does anyone know how to go about claiming back emergency tax?

pepe2008

clairebear33 wrote: »

I do wonder why they let me go over :S

theyre charging me £20 a hit - so not worth it!! i dont know why I got into this mess.

what happend after you sent them the letters? did they give charges back or stop allowing her to use her debit card without funds?

I wouldnt know what to say to them if i rang them, this is the thing

It will be ok on friday, I get paid then and the money goes direct into that account. Going to be another skint month in april!!

If someone took £20 from your pocket? Its always worth it.
Have you condidered taking all your 'spending' money from the account and putting it elsewhere, therefore removing the overspend and charging spiral. Daughter opened a BSoc Account with a SO of £10 a week to Halifax to clear OD. This solved the problem.
How many charges have they made?

pepe2008

clairebear33 wrote: »

while im here, does anyone know how to go about claiming back emergency tax?

Must be on the direct.gov site somewhere.

clairebear33

aw i mean when i say so not worth it - its not worth me going over, not its not worth claiming back.

yeah i have got another account which i transfer money into. still doesnt help me so i cut up my overdraft account card and I am payin it off with a direct debit every month, starting end of april. also changing the account my pay goes into.

they have made quite a lot of charges, maybe almost £200...

pepe2008

Phew! Thought you were letting them get away with it.
Definitely write to them,
Dear Sir or Madam,

Account Number: 00******7

I am writing to request that you repay all the default charges that have been applied to my account during the past six years from the date of this letter. I do not believe these charges reflect the true cost to Halifax Plc of going into unauthorised overdraft.

The charges total £168.00, I believe I have been unlawfully deprived of the money and therefore ask that you repay me the full amount. Please find a full schedule of the charges with this document.


I request that you deal with my case now rather than once the test case has ended as I am currently experiencing financial difficulties due to a relationship breakdown and starting a lower paid job(insert own reason, student etc) and the FSA waiver states that you should continue to deal with hardship cases.

I look forward for a full response to this letter within 14 days.

Yours faithfully,

and this was followed, after a refusal with....
Dear Sirs,

Your Reference 3*******
Roll Number D/4******6

Thank you for your recent letter which details the issue of ‘Unarranged Overdraft bank Fees’.

I understand that you may charge for me going over the agreed Overdraft Limit but surely this should only be made when the Account Balance actually goes over the limit, Charging £35 per item WHILST that situation is present is purely punitive and achieves nothing in enabling your ‘valued’ Customer to manage their finances.

This shows a complete lack of management by your Bank. Technology allows for a payment card to be prevented from use.

These Charges of £35 do not in any way represent the cost to Halifax Bank of handling these items, they have NOT been returned and sending out a computer generated letter does NOT cost the Bank £35, as has been proven already.

I ask that you refund all, or at least some, of these punitive charges in the interest of good customer management in that it will be a help in getting my Account back into order for good.


that worked:D .( followed by a phone call ) Good luck