Help needed quickly ... re stopping using my bank and also getting old statements.

HelloSir

Read the bold if you haven't got time/can't be bothered to read through all of it!!

I'm just beginning the process of claiming back bank charges and have a couple of questions, which I hope can be answered by people who have been in my position.

To briefly summarise my situation - I've just finished university (by 'just finished' I literally mean that - my last exam was last week) but I am technically still a student - thus I am using this angle as my "hardship" when appealing. I have approx £500 worth of charges to claim back, which I've received since I began university in Sept 2005, which may not seem like much, but is a hell of a lot to me.

First question - the bank is Abbey and I have a student account with a £1,500 overdraft limit, of which I am always near that limit. My issue with them regarding these charges (usually brought about through "pending" transactions not actually showing up as pending for at least 24 hours, causing lots of confusion on my part!) For the time being, I have decided to cut all ties with them and am moving everything (standing orders, transfers, direct debits etc) over to a different bank account. My question is whether you would see this as wise? With the issue being that a set of charges from Abbey have been taken out in the last day or two, leaving my account balance over the overdraft limit i currently have (thus, I assume, causing further charges to be brought about next month??) and so eating further into my overdraft (although, not actually affecting me, as I have moved all my incomings and outgoings to a different bank account). WILL THIS MAKE THINGS WORSE FOR MY SITUATION?!?! SHOULD I KEEP ABBEY HAPPY, OR AM I RIGHT TO MAKE A STAND?!

I work part-time, so refuse to have Abbey taking my hard-earned money. So, effectively, they will just be eating more and more into my overdraft - would you recommend me covering these charges (which i REALLY do no wish to do) or just leave it?

Second question - I have got bank statements from Abbey going back to the start of 2007. However, I know I received at least 3 different sets of charges from 2006, but (through my own stubborness) refuse to pay Abbey £10 (which they are requesting) to get statements from more than 3 years ago. So should I just state in my letter something like "I am also aware that there are bank charges relating to 2006"??? It's just I don't want Abbey thinking I'm going to be content with the charges from 2007 onwards - however, I don't wish to pay £10 just to find out exact dates.

Sorry once again that this is quite a lengthy post - it's just I really need help here!

Many thanks

Chris

HelloSir

any ideas?

Hailz86

I dont know if you can claim as hardship, I may be wrong, but I think you have to be just starting full time education to play the student card.
Also, you dont really have a choice but to pay the £10 for statements, unless you have internet banking with them and can use this to access old statements x

natweststaffmember

HelloSir wrote: »

any ideas?

Q: Which Act allows me to get my personal information? And can they charge me? The Data Protection Act 1998 gives you the right to apply for a copy of your personal information. You will need to put your request in writing, by letter or email, and send it to the person or organisation you believe holds this information. Make sure to put your name and address and keep a copy. It is a good idea to make clear you are asking for the information under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Yes, under the Data Protection Act they can ask for a fee of up to £10.00 for each request made.
http://www.ico.gov.uk/Global/faqs/data_protection_for_the_public.aspx#f5EED57A6-1B5C-4032-A7A3-22ECBBF66D3D

That is what the Information Commissioners Office says. If you don't pay the statutory fee then the bank has every right not to give the information.

HelloSir

cheers for the help!!

If I didn't pay the £10 for old statements, is it worth me writing on the letter something like "I am also aware of charges relating to 2006"??? What would you recommend?

natweststaffmember

HelloSir wrote: »

cheers for the help!!

If I didn't pay the £10 for old statements, is it worth me writing on the letter something like "I am also aware of charges relating to 2006"??? What would you recommend?

Still not with you. The £10 is for data held by the bank so you haven't got all your data then you paid nothing for something, similar to paying for a donkey when you want a racehorse

HelloSir

natweststaffmember wrote: »

Still not with you. The £10 is for data held by the bank so you haven't got all your data then you paid nothing for something, similar to paying for a donkey when you want a racehorse

Basically, Abbey have provided me with bank statements back to the start of 2007. However, i know there are charges relating to 2006, but I (through stubborness) don't wish to pay Abbey that money (even though i may be obliged to do so). So was therefore wondering if i could simply state that I am aware of charges back in 2006 (but obviously without specific dates, as i refuse to pay them £10 for that privilege!)

Hope this makes sense?

natweststaffmember

HelloSir wrote: »

Basically, Abbey have provided me with bank statements back to the start of 2007. However, i know there are charges relating to 2006, but I (through stubborness) don't wish to pay Abbey that money (even though i may be obliged to do so). So was therefore wondering if i could simply state that I am aware of charges back in 2006 (but obviously without specific dates, as i refuse to pay them £10 for that privilege!)

Hope this makes sense?

It makes sense now but you have to think about this in terms of you having to take an organisation to court over this. This means a judge looking at all the evidence. Now, remember, I don't know you so if I am looking at the information and I see on your schedule of charges you putting down, I am sure I was charged in 2006 but can't remember when and Abbey say we haven't been given proof on this claim, what do you think will happen with the claim? They dismiss it and its game over. Legally the bank or any data controller can charge £10 for your data and nothing more than that. You are gathering evidence so that someone unconnected to you or to abbey can clearly see bank charges and dates, amounts, and the fact you disputing them. To speculate or guess gives the bank a get out clause. I wouldn't allow them to do so because of the statutory fee of £10.