HSBC letter

Senseicads

Hi everyone,


I am just starting to grow up and get my finances and debts in order. I thought I would try and get some of my bank charges back, mostly from the period just after Uni, so I sent the initial letter off and have had a right snotty letter back off hsbc detailing how many charges I have. It only adds up to £216 but it would really help me out right now.

The letter said

"We assume that you have asked for this information in order to make a claim for the refund of bank charges and we wish to make you aware of our current policy on handling complaints from customers about bank charges.

We do not agree that our charges are in any way unfair or unenforceable."

the rest of it babbles on about how i can register a complaint but they ain't going to deal with it until the judgement comes in. But I am now a bit lost as to what the best way to deal with this is. I am not sure I qualify for hardship as although I have gone over my overdraft in the past 6 months a few times, and i have drawn cash out on my credit card, i am just not sure that i qualify as I have a full time job.

Can anyone provide me with a bit of advice please as to what I should do now? I was going to send a the letter claiming back with interest, however do I do that with even though I might not qualify for hardship? I am sorry if I am sounding a bit dim with this but I am pretty confused.

Thanks in advance.

natweststaffmember

Senseicads wrote: »

Hi everyone,


I am just starting to grow up and get my finances and debts in order. I thought I would try and get some of my bank charges back, mostly from the period just after Uni, so I sent the initial letter off and have had a right snotty letter back off hsbc detailing how many charges I have. It only adds up to £216 but it would really help me out right now.

The letter said

"We assume that you have asked for this information in order to make a claim for the refund of bank charges and we wish to make you aware of our current policy on handling complaints from customers about bank charges.

We do not agree that our charges are in any way unfair or unenforceable."

the rest of it babbles on about how i can register a complaint but they ain't going to deal with it until the judgement comes in. But I am now a bit lost as to what the best way to deal with this is. I am not sure I qualify for hardship as although I have gone over my overdraft in the past 6 months a few times, and i have drawn cash out on my credit card, i am just not sure that i qualify as I have a full time job.

Can anyone provide me with a bit of advice please as to what I should do now? I was going to send a the letter claiming back with interest, however do I do that with even though I might not qualify for hardship? I am sorry if I am sounding a bit dim with this but I am pretty confused.

Thanks in advance.

Did you receive your details from July 2001?

Senseicads

Yes the letter says they are the historic charges from 27/07/2001 to 14/07/2009.

natweststaffmember

so time to send the first letter. I agree with you that I don't think they would consider it as a hardship case but at least it is registered with the bank so that on the conclusion of the OFT test case issues that you get your money back.

Senseicads

Do I send the letter with the interest included on it? or the other one? if you include interest it goes up to £306 which would be nicer! lol

natweststaffmember

Senseicads wrote: »

Do I send the letter with the interest included on it? or the other one? if you include interest it goes up to £306 which would be nicer! lol

I think that I should be asking you the question. Which amount do you want to receive?

Senseicads

erm the bigger one! I am sorry i should have asked the question, is it likely that I would get it back with the interest?

natweststaffmember

Senseicads wrote: »

erm the bigger one! I am sorry i should have asked the question, is it likely that I would get it back with the interest?

If the banks lose the OFT test case in its entirety(as we are just approaching the half way stage) then yes you will.
To clarify:

"(15) to the extent that sums are ultimately to be paid to complainants in respect of relevant charges complaints that have been stayed, the firm must include in these sums an
element of compensation in respect of interest charged to or lost by the customer as a result of being out of money during the stay period;"

Senseicads

so really I don't have anything to lose by not including the interest do I? sorry if I am being too dim with this! lol

natweststaffmember

Senseicads wrote: »

so really I don't have anything to lose by not including the interest do I? sorry if I am being too dim with this! lol

Include the interest because you have taken the time to work them out

Senseicads

Thanks for talking to me and your help...I am going to print the letter out now!