Financial Ombudsman - success?

newyorklover

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone had information or success stories about using the financial ombudsman.

I am claiming circa £16k in bank charges and claim was put on hold due to test case. I then tried to claim under hardship back in February but was refused - after a few letters back and forth, final offer from HBOS was £28.00 - yip, i said twenty eight pounds!! Anyway, filed my claim through ombudsman in March. Have had a few letters from them since then. First letter said they received my claim, second letter said it was being dealt with and third letter said it was being passed to charges team.

I'm just wondering:
- how long does it normally take - I heard they have 90 days to deal with complaints, is this true?
- Nobody has actually said I qualify as hardship yet...is this a bad sign?

Thanks

di3004

Hi there

I have experience with using the FOS, but in regards of PPI, and not charges, so hope this gives some idea, not sure if every department varies from one to another depending on the type of complaints, as only complained of PPI and nothing else through them.

My first ppi case was submitted approx Oct 2006, it was completed and all paid out by Jan 2008.
However, this case was rather complexed.

My other case was submitted June 2008, and paid out Feb 2008, not so complexed but like my above claim, it was moved on to the ombudsman.

I think they just vary, some are as little as 6 weeks, if they are straight forward.;)

dunstonh

- how long does it normally take - I heard they have 90 days to deal with complaints, is this true?

No its not true. Ideally they will deal with urgent complaints quicker but non-urgent ones can take 18-24 months at the moment.

- Nobody has actually said I qualify as hardship yet...is this a bad sign?

yes. It puts you as non-urgent. Have you actually got priority debts?

newyorklover

Yes. I've sent full details of income and expenditure and listed all my priority debts there (£1200 council tax arrears, £1200 gas/electricity, £600 income tax bill - all 3 rising). Applying the hardship criteria listed on this website - I meet each requirement, which is obviously why I went down this route.

I was hoping I'd hear sooner rather than later. Wondered what other people's experiences were.

Thanks

di3004

Have you also requested for "fast tracking" with the FOS?

Again like you have with the company give the FOS these details, they may consider moving this on quicker for you.

I take it you meant you requested "hardship" with the bank and not the FOS.

newyorklover

I basically sent the FOS eveything I had sent to/received from bank, including my Income and Expenditure sheet.

Just checked my last letter again, which was dated 01 May from the FOS. It states that even although most cases have been put on hold due to the test case, because I told them that I am experiencing financial difficulties they have asked the bank to investigate. They will be in touch as soon as they hear from the bank but for now my case is being held with the dedicated financial hardship team.