Reclaiming Natwest - should I call first?

lil_amy

I'm in financial hardship right now, I know the guide says to send a letter, but is it worth calling the bank first?

Also the amount I'm reclaiming will be under £400. Do the banks continue charging unagreed overdraft charges and paid referral fee's while you're trying to claim back past charges?

natweststaffmember

lil_amy wrote: »

I'm in financial hardship right now, I know the guide says to send a letter, but is it worth calling the bank first?
No I wouldn;t
Also the amount I'm reclaiming will be under £400. Do the banks continue charging unagreed overdraft charges and paid referral fee's while you're trying to claim back past charges?

The answer is yes to both questions.
You need to outline what has caused you to be short, for example, unemployment, separation from a partner, reduction in hours and how the charges have impacted on your ability to pay.
You need to send an income and expenditure with household income to this address:

Customer Response Services Unit

1st Floor

Drummond House

1 Redheughs Avenue

Edinburgh

EH12 9JN

Jvic28

I did that and even though my income clearly no where near covered my outgoings they said it did. Wierd, I don't think they even looked at it. Now on maternity leave so even worse off. Will have to write again.

OP, do not call. It won't get you anywhere.

natweststaffmember

Jvic28 wrote: »

I did that and even though my income clearly no where near covered my outgoings they said it did. Wierd, I don't think they even looked at it. Now on maternity leave so even worse off. Will have to write again.

OP, do not call. It won't get you anywhere.

do you have priority debt arrears(mortgage.rent, council tax, utilities)?

Jvic28

No, but I will do now that I'm only earning £123 a week.

The FSA official definition of hardship is:

“A complainant is considered to be in financial difficulty when his or her income is insufficient to cover reasonable living expenses and meet financial commitments as they become due.”

I cannot meet my financial commitments therefore I am in hardship.

natweststaffmember

Jvic28 wrote: »

No, but I will do now that I'm only earning £123 a week.

The FSA official definition of hardship is:

“A complainant is considered to be in financial difficulty when his or her income is insufficient to cover reasonable living expenses and meet financial commitments as they become due.”

I cannot meet my financial commitments therefore I am in hardship.

I know what their definition is as it is in the FSA Waiver(on my signature), but I usually deal with the reality of how that definition is interpreted which means that "cover reasonable living expenses" relates to priority debt arrears. On that definition, then as it stands NOW you aren;t in financial hardship but WILL be soon. The bank does not have to refund charges either under Financial Hardship.

Jvic28

But the definition also says about not being able to meet financial committments when they are due. Therefore I have been in financial difficulty for some time regardless of me starting maternity leave. They can't pick and choose which bits of the definition they apply surely.

Jvic28

Oh and I understand hat they don't have to refund charges but they should look at claims shouldn't they but they refuse to acknowledge I'm in hardship. In fact I'm lucky if I ever even get a response from them at all.

natweststaffmember

Jvic28 wrote: »

Oh and I understand hat they don't have to refund charges but they should look at claims shouldn't they but they refuse to acknowledge I'm in hardship. In fact I'm lucky if I ever even get a response from them at all.

If it's natwest then use the address below and the things I have already advised here. I have taken advice from NatWest as to what they would expect and how long it would take to give a response. It should be 5 business days or 1 week.
The fact you don't have priority debt arrears is one reason they could say no however include arrears notices with your letter and I&E form and to the address below. The bank if they refuse should give you a reason why, ie a financial hardship closure letter.
Based on that is whether it is arguable with the FOS, ok?

Jvic28

The letter from Natwest says that I am not in financial hardship because the statement that I have provided shows i have sufficient income to meet my ongoing committments. Funny because it shows I'm left with minus £70 a month. Much worse now that my income is ore than halved so I will write again.

At least I had a response to that one though (only took 8 days). I just don't think they even looked at it though.

natweststaffmember

Jvic28 wrote: »

The letter from Natwest says that I am not in financial hardship because the statement that I have provided shows i have sufficient income to meet my ongoing committments. Funny because it shows I'm left with minus £70 a month. Much worse now that my income is ore than halved so I will write again.

At least I had a response to that one though (only took 8 days). I just don't think they even looked at it though.

Include another income and expenditure form and explain that you are on maternity leave. The Income and expenditure form has to household income and expenditure.