Advice Needed: Currently starting a complaint procedure against HFC Bank

jccaird

I've recently started requesting information from HFC Bank for a complete history of non-store credit loans I've taken out with them. The main purposes for instigating this complaint are:

1. I was sold a lump sum Hamilton insurance policy four years ago. I found some paperwork recently that suggested that the salesman on the day had calculated a monthly charge over the insurance period without adding the APR - this was in order to make it look more attractive than my existing insurance policy. I'm looking to get this refunded along with the interest.

2. Irresponsible lending. I was in a right mess a few years ago and was the kind of person that would see an empty credit card as a spending spree. For example, twice in the space of 5 months they paid off credit cards in full - £2000 extra each time. I managed to pay off a large amount of the HFC loan with a Halifax one, but it didn't cover the mess they'd created. Not looking for compensation, just want to bring them to task on this.

3. Aggressive sales tactics. Calling me on the second to last day of the month and not letting up until I agreed to come in and discuss options. Again, no compensation - just want to bring them to task.

4. PPI in the early days of the loans - just want to check to see if I was ever asked the question.

Like I said, I had a bad period a few years ago. HFC were the only option open to me at first when I needed to pay something off in an emergency.....but their aggressive tactics conned me into taking things I didn't actually want. I have no doubt that had I not been sweet-talked into a debt spiral with their "Just a little bit of cash in your pocket" chats then I would have no loan debt to speak of right now and would have manageable amounts on credit cards and an overdraft only. Though I'm not looking for compensation, I would gratefully accept it!

Currently, I've only written a letter requesting a variety of information relating to every single loan transaction I've had with them since the first non-store credit loan I took out with them. They only sent me a statement for the current loan, despite my list of information requests stretching to 12 points. I'm waiting a call back from them about this. I've also started a contact log of exactly what I've done and what I have been told, taking names of all that I speak to and what I have received.

Any advice on how I should approach this would be appreciated - particularly those that have had experience of HFC and have taken similar steps as I am embarking on.

Any success stories? Do's and Don'ts?

Thanks in advance.