Bank Charges Financial Hardship Success Stories

natweststaffmember

Moiraworks wrote: »

My main bank is HBOS and my debt is for council tax. Will this make a difference.

Are you paying off any of the arrears on the council tax?

natweststaffmember

chatsworthbuccaneer wrote: »

Hi again. Sorry for taking ages to reply. Got a letter through from abbey yesterday. Says: "We appreciate your current financial situation. In this instance we have arranged to refund £902.79 of charges to help with your council tax and utility arreaers." Then a load of crap about in future it is important to manage my account. Which I could do if they didn't hammer me with £100 worth of charges every month. Last page of the letter then goes on to give helplines and debt councelling numbers, then at the bottom says: "Your complaint (CMS 734413) about the level of fairness and lawfulness of bank charges remains on hold pending the outcome of the test case. We will keep you updated appropriately about the proceedings with the OFT. You can check the latest position on our website."
Don't really know what to take from that. £902 is useful and does help with concil tax and utilities. Problem is though that my girlfriend's still on maternity leave till november so we're still struggling. should I push for the rest?
Thanks in advance.

The difficulty is that the FSA Waiver does not take into account arrears that might happen and only takes into account current arrears. Personally, I would be inclined to accept it BUT remember that while the OFT test case is ongoing, that so is financial hardship. You might pay off arrears now but in 3 months if you are back to square one, you have every right to go back to them on financial hardship grounds.
Hope that makes sense

Moiraworks_2

No I have not been paying any of the council tax as I have no spare cash but if my charges were returned I could pay it all off.

PASHA

HI Guys, Just want to share my success at reclaiming my bank charges back through the hardship route.
I followed the step by step process on this web site and I was amazed at how efficient and understanding NATWEST bank were with my case. I had calculated a sum of £3500 with interest, Natwest offered a good will gesture of 3338.00. Obviously I had to prove I was in hardship by filling out a form they had sent of the income I was recieving. Just shocked to recieve that amount in my current situation and they also wrote that after the hearing is complete should they need to they will refund the remaining £162.00.
So I would like to thank Martin for helping me and those in my situation, now it's time to hit another one of my banks who should be owing me around 1500 with interest. And help my family members with there claims it has most certainly put a big smile back on my face.

natweststaffmember

Moiraworks wrote: »

No I have not been paying any of the council tax as I have no spare cash but if my charges were returned I could pay it all off.

In that case go after HBOS

Moiraworks_2

What is the best way to do that writing or phoning and what are my rights as I am sure the council can bankrupt you if you owe them money.

OBIWAN

natweststaffmember wrote: »

What they have written in their final response is what you need to challenge with the FOS. Please do not simply say to the FOS that the amount wasn't enough but explain why you disagree with their decision and why with reference to the FSA Waiver(on my signature)

Hi NWSM, ive had a look at the link on your sig. Apologies for being a eedjit but what do i need to say to the FOS and how do i make reference to the document in your sig?
I was going to go along the lines of the charges being unfair as per the two rulings and that im in financial hardship and the bank have only paid a fraction of the charges they took from my account.
Any help would be really great please.

natweststaffmember

Moiraworks wrote: »

What is the best way to do that writing or phoning and what are my rights as I am sure the council can bankrupt you if you owe them money.

Always use writing cos if you phoned me up and had a conversation and we both spoke to the same person about the conversation the interpretation could be completely at opposite ends whilst a letter cannot. The council can technically put you in jail on Council Tax(WORST CASE SCENARIO---capitals intended so that you know that it is the least likely scenario).

natweststaffmember

OBIWAN wrote: »

Hi NWSM, ive had a look at the link on your sig. Apologies for being a eedjit but what do i need to say to the FOS and how do i make reference to the document in your sig?
I was going to go along the lines of the charges being unfair as per the two rulings and that im in financial hardship and the bank have only paid a fraction of the charges they took from my account.
Any help would be really great please.

I'll simplify it(annex 2 for yourself ok? and part 2)
A lifestyle change(2 ( a ) ) caused you to have less income going into your account which caused bank charges, those bank charges had the impact that you were unable to pay priority debt arrears and you simply continue in that circle so there are arrears not being paid off and still getting charges.
Does that make sense?

OBIWAN

Crystal! tks again for the help.