bank charges reclaim disheartened

david_phillips

i have so far unsucessfully been trying to reclaim charges from halifax for several months now. i currently have a hardship claim/complaint lodged with the ombudsman but today recieved from the halifax a letter stating catergorically that i would not recieve any refunds is this the end or is this nothing to do with the ombudsman?

Premier_2

Nothing to do with the ombudsman.

The bank will be forced to comply with any decision of the ombudsman (as long as you agree that is an acceptable resolution)

Edit: How did the matter get to the ombudsman without having first exhausted the complaints process of the bank? Hope you didn't take it there without having first exhausted that process, else the ombudsman may simply return the claim to you, advising you to do so.
Not sure if it will help, but perhaps you should forward the letter to the ombudsman to in an attempt to prevent this from happening.

natweststaffmember

Just to add to Premier's post, most banks have been sending out letters declining bank charges claimants regardless of whether they were in hardship or not.
I think Premier covered my only question, ie what did halifax say first of all when you went to them based on financial hardship, did they send out an income and expenditure form?
Did you send one to them with copies of arrears?

david_phillips

Answer to queries, I applied to the ombudsman after being refused refund from halifax using the template letters. ombudsman has referred it to their hardship department and said they would contact bank. I am still waiting. I wondered whether the letter was the banks reaction to them? But now realise it must just be a circular.

david_phillips

I did return copy of finances to bank they just asked me to contact their help department i also sent copy to the ombudsman

natweststaffmember

david_phillips wrote: »

I did return copy of finances to bank they just asked me to contact their help department i also sent copy to the ombudsman

Did you contact their help department?

david_phillips

I called was put on hold and was so angry I didn't wait so I requested help to be sent to me in letter form none arrived. Why should i speak to someone who doesn't give a damn and will only trot out company policy anyway? I know how to contact debtors and arrange how to reduce payments. what I needed was charges repaid! I had previously asked for a personal loan when I was working or for an overdraft limit increase both were refused! Either would have prevented charges accumulating. One of my main problems has been the fact that direct debits do not go out on a specific day and I have been unable to check my account because i've been out and cash machine will not give out mini statement! I am fully aware that my own account mismanagement has contributed to my problems but when you are charged 38 pounds for a 2 pounds direct debit default it is maddening. It would seem that banks continually punish those least able to pay!!

natweststaffmember

david_phillips wrote: »

I called was put on hold and was so angry I didn't wait so I requested help to be sent to me in letter form none arrived. Why should i speak to someone who doesn't give a damn and will only trot out company policy anyway?
Because at that time, you gave them a reason to reject financial hardship because of not having the right information.

I know how to contact debtors and arrange how to reduce payments. what I needed was charges repaid!
Ok, then I had better quote the lending code which is now in operation:

137. Subscribers should be sympathetic and positive when considering a customer’s financial difficulties. Although there is an onus on customers to try to help themselves, the first step, when a subscriber becomes aware of a customer’s financial difficulties, should be to try to contact the customer to discuss the matter. This applies to both personal and micro-enterprise customers".
So the question I have is did you contact your creditors who you were in arrears with to see if they could help you in your circumstances?
I had previously asked for a personal loan when I was working or for an overdraft limit increase both were refused! Either would have prevented charges accumulating. One of my main problems has been the fact that direct debits do not go out on a specific day and I have been unable to check my account because i've been out and cash machine will not give out mini statement! I am fully aware that my own account mismanagement has contributed to my problems but when you are charged 38 pounds for a 2 pounds direct debit default it is maddening. It would seem that banks continually punish those least able to pay!!

See above but at the moment, the bank was given a get out clause because you didn't speak with their team.

david_phillips

Thank you Natwestaffmember, I shall write back to the bank stating that I am not happy with their decision and stating that I consider myself in financial hardship. I will contact their help people though I do not expect much from them? I have to say also, that the bank did state that they would be calling me they haven't! I shall also send a copy of my letter to the Ombudsman.

natweststaffmember

david_phillips wrote: »

Thank you Natwestaffmember, I shall write back to the bank stating that I am not happy with their decision and stating that I consider myself in financial hardship. I will contact their help people though I do not expect much from them? I have to say also, that the bank did state that they would be calling me they haven't! I shall also send a copy of my letter to the Ombudsman.

Do you contacted those who you are in arrears with to ask for help?
Have you cancelled all non essential Direct debits?

david_phillips

Thanks for your reply Natwest, yes I have done those things as I say I do not need advice how to do that so what else will the bank suggest?