HBOS vrs ME

hairymike

Hi all

Over the last 3 months (including this month) I have had over £1000 in charges applied to my 'genuine advantage' account. I'm in the situation where these charges cause a never ending circle of further charges being applied for bounced debits.

I've made numerous calls to the bank over the last 3 weeks seeking a solution. Their first suggestion was to get a credit card (interest free for 12 months) and pay my debits with that; I was turned down.

Their next suggestion was to contact their financial advice service; I spoke to a nice girl who entered all my financial details into the computer - outgoings and income. She agreed that in theory I can cover all my debits with about £200 of disposable income every month.

Next suggestion was to have my case 'looked at' by the distinguished 'customer care' department. They looked at my case and turned me down flat - fees had been correctly applied to my account. I phoned again today and actually got to speak to a manager from this department and explained that I'm in a never ending spiral of bank charges and that I couldn't see any way out. I asked him to throw me a bone and cancel the charges for one month. His answer was a big fat NO (sorry its against the banks 'policy').

Now I'm going to fight to have my charges refunded. I have my Data Protection request to find out exactly how much I have been charged and I'm about to send it off. I am planning to claim that I am in financial hardship because of this - which I am, having to rely on my girlfriend and family to keep me going (not having any money for 3 weeks out of the month for the past 2 months).

I am motivated by my anger that they can charge such a rediculous amount for moving some figures around in a computer (I don't receive letters - just emails). I have had to work for 3 weeks to pay for what amounts to about 30 charges on my account. They don't really care that I am in financial trouble and offer no help whatsoever to a way out.

I plan to update this thread with any developments.

Thanks for reading

natweststaffmember

From the initial details you have given, I don't think you are in financial hardship as defined in the waiver. If the figures you mentioned above shows £200 disposable income then that is odd.

Do you have priority debt arrears(mortgage/rent, council tax, utilities)?
Does your girlfriend live with you? Reason I ask is that if she is clearing the Priority debt arrears then the bank can refuse a refund. I would urgently look at all the bills going out. If you already have an existing credit card or loan with charges or PPI then I would look at claiming them back to reduce the outgoings.

hairymike

hi there NatWest, and thanks for your reply.

I don't live with my girlfriend, but in a house that I partly own (my name isn't on the deeds). Luckily, I don't pay rent. I do have some arrears on non essential bills (about £60 owed for internet connection - which is now cut off.. £170 owed on a finance agreement for a vehicle and £200 owed for gas bill). My girlfriend and family have been providing me with food and money for fuel for my vehicle so I can continue going to work.

Each month, the amount of bounced debits seems to be increasing. The £200 of disposable income is a theoretical figure which the financial advice girl informed me of. (I'm lucky if I get to spend £40 per month). So far this month, I have 3 bounced payments (which still need to be paid) totaling over £250 - that is £105 in bank charges. My account is into an unauthorised overdraft (of -£11) since 4th of July - there will be charges for that (not sure how much) and they are going to try to take the money owed for the charges out of my account on the 21st; there won't be any money there and I will incur further charges. When I was on the phone yesterday, I asked the advisor how much I would be paying in charges this month and she replied £350. That means next month I will be paying over £600 before I start paying my bills. There will be more bounced debits month than there was this month and more bank charges. This situation is just going to continue getting worse. I am in a downward spiral as far as I can see with no light at the end of the tunnel. All my hope is placed in this claim being successful.

Many thanks for your time.

natweststaffmember

In that case I would open another account with a bank unconnected to the current one and start moving the direct debits onto Standing orders so you know when they go out and can schedule them for when you get paid. Furthermore I would put in a claim for bank charges but set up a payment plan on the overdraft to clear it at a reasonable rate you can afford so that the charges do not impact on your wages. I still think you need to sit down and look at how you spend the money and see if there is any room to move on it.
From my signature, you will see I was dismissed and that is what I had to do, look at all my DD's and get rid of non essential items even getting the basic road recovery service rather than fully comp. In fact, even if you go fully comp, see whether any MSE'rs have got any money off. You may find that you will be paying less in the end

hairymike

Thanks again.

I've just started the ball rolling to get an account from bank of ireland. I plan on stopping all my debits from the main halifax account. I am working a notice period at the moment and will try to get a cheque for my final wage instead of having it go to the halifax. I phoned them up at lunch time there and asked about setting up a payment plan to clear the outstanding charges. I was put through to 'Head Office' but the girl on the line cut the conversation very short when she saw that my account did not show up on her system.

I will be continuing with my claim, but now I'm cutting them off at the source as suggested. One thing I'm slightly worried about is that the BOI are going to attempt to transfer all my debits and standing orders. Is there any way Halifax can throw a spanner in the works and stop this from happening?

natweststaffmember

hairymike wrote: »

Thanks again.

I've just started the ball rolling to get an account from bank of ireland. I plan on stopping all my debits from the main halifax account. I am working a notice period at the moment and will try to get a cheque for my final wage instead of having it go to the halifax. I phoned them up at lunch time there and asked about setting up a payment plan to clear the outstanding charges. I was put through to 'Head Office' but the girl on the line cut the conversation very short when she saw that my account did not show up on her system.

I will be continuing with my claim, but now I'm cutting them off at the source as suggested. One thing I'm slightly worried about is that the BOI are going to attempt to transfer all my debits and standing orders. Is there any way Halifax can throw a spanner in the works and stop this from happening?

None whatsoever because if they do then you can treat that as a separate matter and take them to the FOS(if need be).