Hardship cases.

RobMc7

HI all.
Got a bank charges case going on with HSBC. I have currently applied for hardship. Although i have been going over my overdraft and having direct debits returned for the last few years, they refused me hardship. The FSA state that if you been going over your overdraft for the past 12 months and incurred over a thousand pound in charges ( which i have) your classed as in hardship but HSBC think otherwise. :mad: Any ideas on what to do next?

Thanks Rob.

Orford

RobMc7 wrote: »

The FSA state that if you been going over your overdraft for the past 12 months and incurred over a thousand pound in charges ( which i have) your classed as in hardship .

Actually they don't. The waiver lists a series of possible indicators of financial difficulty that banks should take into account.

Most banks are looking at hardship as priority debt arrears, specifically the level of priority debt arrears against free income available. So any letter should emphasise any arrears, threats of legal proceedings, repossession you may have against any of the list below:

The following are generally regarded as priority debts:

• Mortgage
• Secured Loan
• Rent
• Council Tax
• Gas
• Electricity
• Water
• Maintenance / Child Support
• Magistrates Court Fines
• CCj's
• Hire Purchase Goods
• Telephone

Also worth mentioning are:

• Reduced income/loss of job
• Serious health issues both physically and mentally
• Threat of possible suicide
• No money for food or rent