Barclays says FOS not responding to bank charge claims

Barclaysbankchargeclaimer

Have recently got a letter from Barclays giving me a "financial difficulty claim reference number" after submitting a claim to them for bank charges under the hardship rules. They say they will deal with claim after the High Court decision, and that the FOS has indicated that they will not proceed with any cases relating to bank charges until after the High Court decision. Is this true?

[Deleted User]

No. See my thread here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1930335 - if a bank accepts financial hardship then they need to consider your case now, otherwise they are not following the waiver.

[Deleted User]

But, have they agreed you are in financial hardship? That sounds to be the issue with your post - you might get a letter shortly indicating either way. If they say you're not then they don't have to deal with it (though you can appeal, of course), but if they do then then they are obliged to act (but not necessarily to give a refund).

natweststaffmember

Furthermore, if they say that you are not in financial hardship then they have to say why they don't consider you to be in financial hardship.

Barclaysbankchargeclaimer

I had assumed that they had agreed I am in financial hardship because of the fact they had given me a claim number, but you are right they haven't said either way and have said they will be in touch soon with the outcome of their assessment. What I was really interested in was the comment they made about the FOS not proceeding with any bank charge claims until the High Court decision .... (Because if they disagree I am in financial hardship, the next step would be to go to the FOS.)

[Deleted User]

Just wait and see what they say - I think they suggest they will respond within 10 days either way, correct? That's what it said on my letter anyhow.

natweststaffmember

Barclaysbankchargeclaimer wrote: »

I had assumed that they had agreed I am in financial hardship because of the fact they had given me a claim number, but you are right they haven't said either way and have said they will be in touch soon with the outcome of their assessment. What I was really interested in was the comment they made about the FOS not proceeding with any bank charge claims until the High Court decision .... (Because if they disagree I am in financial hardship, the next step would be to go to the FOS.)

The FOS aren't proceeding with bank charges claims but they are looking at financial hardship claims as per the FSA Waiver on bank charges so it is kinda confusingly correct. The reference number is required for all claims on bank charges since it will be used once the OFT test case issues are resolved.

Barclaysbankchargeclaimer

Thanks both of you. The letter says I will be updated shortly so I guess I'll wait and see .............