Halifax Credit Card Charges Round 1

Daston

Hi guys,

Before Christmas I requested a copy of my statements for my old Halifax credit card (cleared it and closed it down).

I added up all the charges and they came to £298. Around 90% of this figure was made up of the £28 charges and there were a few of the newer £12 charges.

I thought I would be cheeky and attempt to ask for the whole lot back + interest (if you don't ask you don't get).

Received a letter from them last week thanking me for the letter and that a member of the complaints team will phone me to discuss my complaint further.

Has anyone actually had any success from talking to them directly? I don't really know what to say other than what I said in my letter, plus I can't really see the person on the phone having the power to credit me the money.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Dave

Premier_2

What was the basis of your claim? (other than trying your luck)

Daston

Premier wrote: »

What was the basis of your claim? (other than trying your luck)

Ahh sorry should have included that.

I was basing my claim on the fact that they had dropped the charges from £28 down to £12 after the courts had ruled the previous charges as being unfair.

Premier_2

Daston wrote: »

Ahh sorry should have included that.

I was basing my claim on the fact that they had dropped the charges from £28 down to £12 after the courts had ruled the previous charges as being unfair.

Then I would simply reiterate this should a member of their complaints team call you to discuss the matter.

Telephone calls are often not recommended as it is often difficult to prove at a later date what was or wasn't agreed. (unless you manage to get a recording of the call)

However, sometimes negotiations are easier when talking to someone rather than in written form.

What is important in such circumstances is to assess what is being agreed (if anything) and then, if appropriate get the company to issue a written statement confirming their position as agreed - set a time limit for them to write such a letter.

Alternatively, there is nothing to prevent you writing immediately to the company setting out the agreements you believed were reached in the phone call, asking for them to either abide by the agreements or that in the event some misunderstanding has occurred, that any errors/revisions are immediately advised. Send such letter by recorded delivery.

This can be a very powerful letter if becomes later necessary to rely on in a legal claim.


My guess is that the complaint team are a little confused as to your claim. They probably wish to simply better understand why you are attempting to claim £298 when some of that is made up of £12 charges presumably fairly charged (and possibly some interest).

orc_2

There is no element of luck to this, as previously commented on and no set fair charge, unless the card provider "thinks" that £12 is fair, but that is all.

You can claim the full amount back, not just the difference between the £12 charge and actual amount. The £12 is not an agreed or set amount BTW.

You can claim interest at 8% from the date of the charge.

Many people have received the full amount plus interest.

However, some decide to accept just the difference in charges as it can be easier.

Negotiations can be easier but not everyone has the skills. The person contacting you will be playing to a set script and has done this many times before. Their objective is to get you to settle for the minimum possible amount ie the difference, with no interest.

TBH, everything is better kept to written correspondence, with you keeping copies.

Alpine_Star

Daston wrote: »

Ahh sorry should have included that.

I was basing my claim on the fact that they had dropped the charges from £28 down to £12 after the courts had ruled the previous charges as being unfair.

In communicating with them it's important to understand that no court has ever ruled on the fairness of credit card default charges and that the OFT's £12 threshold for charges
is specifically not to be construed as a 'fair' charge.

I would push for all the charges back and see what they say. It is common for credit card providers to settle for the total amount when threatened with court action.

confusedandindebt2009

Hi Daston

I'm not an expert on any of this but saw you asked 'Has anyone actually had any success from talking to them directly?' and thought I would let you know I did. I requested my charges from Halifax before Christmas (both the £12.00 amd £25.00) and they sent me a letter offering a much lower amount than requested a few days ago, I was about to write back but saw there was a direct line of the top of the letter so gave it a call. Got a full refund plus £350.00 more than I asked for...?

I will add though that I put 2 claims in and recieved a letter similar to the one you recieved regarding the outstanding claim saying they would be in touch in due course, I tried to call them about that one but they wouldnt speak to me as an offer hadnt yet been made

Hope the information helps, as I say i'm not an expert and some of the guys on here
know a lot more on the subject than I do, just wanted to let you know it worked for me.

Good Luck

mikeandrach_2

hi. i have reclaimed all charges plus interest from citibank cards and capital one. both said their final reponse was a lesser amount, but one letter to the fos and a bit of patience, and the full amount was offered. dont settle for anything less than 100%, and dont pay to go down the court route, the fos will succeed

Daston

Right the latest is Halifax sent me a letter with a form to fillout asking how I would like the money paid out (ie into a Halifax account or by cheque). I returned this on the 20/01/10. To this date I have not heard a thing from them!

Should I get a bit arsy in my next letter or just ask whats happend to it?

Cheers

Dave

the_insider

Why do people think they need to get 'arsey' with the bank when they don't get a response? Just call them, see if they've received the form and if not ask them to send it again!!