Bank-smart now charging me!

youradds

How are these guys still operating????!!?!?! This has been going on from probably 7 years ago, and almost everyone I've spoken to has been defrauded by them. Eugh ... makes your blood boil!

Buddywr11

I received a letter from bank-smart this week saying my 3 year wait for them to look into my pip claim has been thrown out by the financial ombudsman.
They now say they want me to sign up to some solicitor to take Natiomwide BS to court to get the money they think is owed in poi.
I'm obviously not going to give them permission to do this as the INITIAL costs are covered in a no win no fee but I can see this going really bad.
Not sure where I stand now as they would now say I want to cancel the account as I won't go with their legal route but the FO has said the clam is turned down so I'm happy to say that's it but obviously they want their cake and eat it.
Not sure what to do now anyone any ideas please.?

-taff

Don't.
And cancel your contract in writing.

Buddywr11

But if I cancel I will be charged I presume.

[Deleted User]

Buddywr11 wrote: »

But if I cancel I will be charged I presume.

No. They can't force you to take the Bank to court. There should be no fee for cancellation at this stage.

If any fee is chargeable, report them to the Legal Ombudsman.

Buddywr11

Ok I have sent them an email to say I want the case cancelled and I don't want to use a solicitor to try and force a settlement ( even though the FO has dismissed the case with no further evidence forthcoming). I presume will now be told I owe them money for their work as I want it cancelled.

Buddywr11

I have now had an email from bank smart saying they can look for another law firm for me and it may take several months. They want to conclude my case asap and if I cancel there will be a cancellation fee.
They say being rejected by the financial ombudsman isn't the final stage of the process and so cancellation would curtail the remainder of the claim. They would be entitled to recover their costs to date.
I have 14 days to reply to this email or they will presume I want to cancel and invoice me.

Help!

[Deleted User]

Buddywr11 wrote: »

Help!

Send this information with your complaint to the Legal Ombudsman. The firm cannot force you to take the Bank to court. You engaged them to represent you in a complaint, not to engage in spurious litigation activities. Your complaint has been rejected by the Ombudsman and that ends your complaint. You are not therefore liable for "cancellation" fees.

Legal_Ombudsman wrote: »

1. Use our live chat function Mon-Fri between 08:30am and 5:30pm: https://legalombudsman.live-chat-help.com/
2. Call us Mon-Fri between 08:30am-5:30pm on 0300 555 0333 or on our minicom 0300 555 1777
3. Email us on [EMAIL="cmc@legalombudsman.org.uk"]cmc@legalombudsman.org.uk[/EMAIL]
4. Or write to us at Legal ombudsman, PO Box 6804, Wolverhampton, WV1 9WG

You can also follow us on facebook or twitter @Legal_Ombudsman

Alpine_Star

At long last Bank Smart are finally being formally investigated by the Claims Management Regulator.


https://www.claimsregulation.gov.uk/details.aspx/4036

agnesjanesteinson

Bank-Smart are causing us heartache too - I can forward copies of recent e-mails exchanged between us if you wish; I intended to send those to Martin Lewis and did try to do so but I understand that it is not possible to reply to everyone individually so I thought I would try it this way.

I really don't know what to do as I have paid Bank-Smart £100 and thought that was the end of it, now they are asking for £480 which I have no intention of paying!!


Hope you can help. Many thanks.


Regards


Agnes Jane Steinson