Bank Charges Financial Hardship Success Stories

kathryn33

garthomas wrote: »

I missed a call today of the Halifax - the bank i'm claiming against - just wondering if they usually deal with financial hardship claims over the phone as I sent in a letter a week ago and have heard nothing since - has anyone experienced them dealing with the claim over the phone?

hi i asked this question today while on fone to halifax i was assured all correspondence would be by letter

natweststaffmember

kathryn33 wrote: »

hi i asked this question today while on fone to halifax i was assured all correspondence would be by letter

I think that is usually the case but where they require additional information then they do have the right to telephone you, however, never agree to anything over the phone until it is in writing.

corntav

corntav wrote: »

thanks i will call them tomorrow

i have spoken to andover this morning, they are now saying although they have put my case on hold they have not made a final decision yet, and they will not do that until after the test case, so they will not send me a final response, she said the only way they will look at it again is if i get a repossesion order of my mortgage provider

sylv1

Bank BARCLAYS
Claimed under the hardship rules
Amount claimed £1680
Amount repaid £1119

Letter says that when the test case is over, if they have to repay the overdraft charges then they will minus the goodwill payment already made to OH.

Just one more account to go and then will start on the PPI claims.

Thanks again to this website, and all other posters, especially natweststaffmember....you always seem to give great information and help that is always relevent not just to the person you reply to but to all of us....Thanks :T

WellChuffed

HI EVERYBODY!!!
Ok, I WAS a member here last year, but my laptop crashed ages ago, so I've started a new profile so i can share my glee with you all and to encourage others to keep at it!!

Bank: Barclays
Amount Reclaimed:£3,200
Amount they paid:£2,782.50
How long did it take: About 16 months.
The story: Ok. I first started the case when everyones else did, wayyyy back at the start of 2007 or so, can't quite remember.
At that time, I was in a salaried and pensioned career. When Barclays put a hold on things due to the testcase, I shrugged my shoulders and decided to wait.
Alas, April last year, lost me job!!
With everything else going on, using an Insolvency Practitioner etc, the bank case got forgotten about. Things went from bad to worse as I could only find part time, irregular work.
In May this year, I read up on hardship cases etc and quite simply....
1)Sent the request template letter, asking them to consider my hardship. I enclosed copies of my job seekers letter, mortgage arrears statement, and a few letters from those nasty collection companies.
2) With 14 days got the standard, 'we're reviewing your case and await the test Case result'
3) I hit back with the next template letter basically saying 'you didn't listen to what I said, I AM IN SEVERE HARDSHIP. Can I have the figure quoted paid or I'll go to the Ombudsman AND will claim interest too. Or, pay me what I ask for now and I will waive the interest as a gesture of good will. If you do not reply in a satisfactory manner within 7 days I'm going to the Ombudsman and WILL require interest.'
4) Day 9, I get a cheque for £2782.20 and the usual letter saying 'that's the end of it, this is our Final Response etc.

How cool is that?
SO, to all you out there who are experiencing difficulties, GO FOR IT.
THEY WILL GIVE IN.

Thank you to Martin and everyone on this forum, you have all been inspirational in dark times and I urge ANYONE in doubt to send those letters and get that money back---it's YOUR'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Regards.
WellChuffed.

natweststaffmember

corntav wrote: »

i have spoken to andover this morning, they are now saying although they have put my case on hold they have not made a final decision yet, and they will not do that until after the test case, so they will not send me a final response, she said the only way they will look at it again is if i get a repossesion order of my mortgage provider

That is not good enough, tell them you have been advised by the Financial Ombudsman Service that the bank is obliged to send a final response letter to claimants in financial hardship who have asked the bank to look at their claim prior to the conclusion of the OFT test case. Tell them that you want it in writing from them as to why they do not view your case as hardship or you will contact the FOS and they can explain it to them. !!!!!! that is not FSA Compliant.

corntav

called lloyds back, they will not issue me with a final response letter because my case is still on hold, told them i was going back to the FOS , there answer to that was thats up to you, we can cancel youre claim and give you the letter if you want

WellChuffed

I agree. Tell them to look at your case again and to respond favourably within 7 days or you're going to the Ombudsman.
I bet you get a favourable reply with 10 days???

natweststaffmember

corntav wrote: »

called lloyds back, they will not issue me with a final response letter because my case is still on hold, told them i was going back to the FOS , there answer to that was thats up to you, we can cancel youre claim and give you the letter if you want

Ask them to put that in writing to you. Explain to them that the FSA wrote to the bank on 19th March 2009 reminding them of their responsibilities under the FSA Waiver to which they are apart. That requires them to:

"11. If an VE form is issued, the firm to provide a reasonable period of time before issuing
a closure letter to the customer, which should clearly explain the reason why the firm
has not accepted that the customer is in FD, and that the firm will reopen the case
should the customer subsequently return the VE form."

What this means is that if they are closing your claim for financial hardship then they need to provide a closure letter to you(see bold above). VE(is income expenditure form).

corntav

they have agreed that iam in hardship but they are not paying out under hardship until after the test case, iam also in a debt management programe with them