Please help

rockmol

I am in debt but have just set up a DMP with the cccs, felt i was finally getting things under control. At the same time i had put in a claim for unfair bank charges from alliance & leicester and applied for a hardship case, i have recieved a letter saying they do not think im in hardship but they have also closed my bank account. I had not set up another account as i am a single mum and a carer living on benefits. What do i do now? Please help.

natweststaffmember

rockmol wrote: »

I am in debt but have just set up a DMP with the cccs, felt i was finally getting things under control. At the same time i had put in a claim for unfair bank charges from alliance & leicester and applied for a hardship case, i have recieved a letter saying they do not think im in hardship but they have also closed my bank account. I had not set up another account as i am a single mum and a carer living on benefits. What do i do now? Please help.

Did Alliance and Leicester tell you why they didn't believe you are in hardship?

rockmol

they said in the letter they thought i had sufficient disposable income in order to meet my commitments etc. the thing i am most worried about is them withdrawing my banking facilities whilst awaiting the outcome of the test case. there was no warning they just did it, i have direct debits not being paid and my benefits were paid into that account.

esmerellda

have you opened another account now to get your benefits paid to ? they can switch things quite quickly or will arrange a giro payment for you temporarily.

contact the fsa about a&ls actions. they have to give you notice before closing your account and if its a retalitory action and they havent given you a basic account or advised you of anything its a major breach of the waiver.

also you need to complaint formally to the bank and if they don't sort things out satisfactorily take it to the financial ombudsman, but it doesnt help you immediately.