Cahoot Defaults charges but not my fault

milliemonster

A few months ago, me and my husband set up single accounts to take charge of our own debts, so I moved all my direct debits from the joint account we have with HSBC to my single account, I did this on my internet banking with HSBC back in Feb.

I have a cahoot flexible loan and a credit card with them.

Feb, Mar, Apr and May's direct debits to the cahoot loan and card came out on the correct dates from my new account, however, in June I noticed that the funds hadn't been collected. When I logged into the cahoot site and checked it said the payments had been reversed. I phoned Cahoot who told me HSBC had refused the direct debits. So I called HSBC who said Cahoot had tried to take Junes payments from the old joint account where the DD was no longer active and this is why it had been refused.

I called Cahoot back who told me that it was HSBC's fault as they had not informed them of the change of DD to my single account so they had tried to take it from the joint account, I found this odd considering cahoot had been taking the payments from the new account since Feb.

By this stage I had had enough and didn't know who was right or wrong so called the financial ombudsman, who initially agreed with cahoot, said they would write to HSBC on my behalf and they would be in touch to sort it out.

So, a few days later I received a call from HSBC who basically told me that they had informed cahoot of the change of account details back in Feb and had all the bacs advice detailing this, HSBC were really helpful, they sent me copies of these advices and also told me that cahoot obviously did have these details otherwise they wouldn't have taken the DD's from my new account for 4 months.

I called cahoot back who were still insistent they hadn't been informed of the new account but advised me to write in and send a copy of the info HSBC had sent which is what I have done.

So now I have been charged defaults of £30 on the loan and £12 on the credit card for late payments (as I ended up paying for these over the phone) plus associated interest charges and marks on my credit file. Cahoot still seem to be dragging their heels on this and although they acknowledged receipt of my complaint early last week, just keep telling me they are investigating it, but I am worried sick.

what should I do?

natweststaffmember

I wouldn't copy and past from CAG

I think you need to put this in writing and ask that they refund the payment and the £12 fee. Send them copies of the information you have and ask for a final response since you will take it to the ombudsman if this cannot be rectified in 8 weeks. Send it recorded delivery as you may not be able to attach files through their secure messaging system.
You also need to make sure that you put the resulution you want, ie confirmation account details to debit are correct, refund of charges, and removal of old account details from their systems.
I expect they will refund the amount due to bank error.

milliemonster

Sorry about that, didn't get any replies over there and couldn't face typing it all again!

I have put it in writing and it's for £42 altogether £30 charges on the loan and £12 on the credit card. They have received it as I had an email acknowledgement but I have heard nothing since.

natweststaffmember

milliemonster wrote: »

Sorry about that, didn't get any replies over there and couldn't face typing it all again!

I have put it in writing and it's for £42 altogether £30 charges on the loan and £12 on the credit card. They have received it as I had an email acknowledgement but I have heard nothing since.

With copies of HSBC's evidence as well?

milliemonster

yes, with copies of the letter and evidence hsbc sent me