Report Bank Charges successes and failures

Mersey_2

It must be a policy decision then - rather than as of any 'right' - as NatWest did refund these charges, as above.

Nasqueron

Mersey wrote: »

It must be a policy decision then - rather than as of any 'right' - as NatWest did refund these charges, as above.

HISTORICAL charges or claims of "unfair" charges cannot be reclaimed except at the good will of the bank - the banks won the court case in 2009, all charges were ruled fair so no claims can be made for old charges.

CURRENT hardship (e.g. a cycle of being unable to clear a debt, leads to charges, charges on top of the debt lead to next month unable to clear the balance) will be looked at by the banks and they may refund charges, they may freeze future charges or interest etc - typically no more than 6 months and there is no requirement for this to be done. Hardship claims will look at customer spending, if it is obvious the person is living beyond their means (expensive meals out, shopping at premium stores, pay TV etc) then it will not be looked on in the same way as someone on the breadline.

Kkirst089

Hi,
I am claiming under financial hardship from HSBC, I sent my final letter on the 7th december '15. I am yet to hear from them, i was wondering how long is the time they have to reply? The template letter states 14 days but i've also seen 8 weeks? I understand 8 weeks is how long to wait to report to the FOS.
Thanks

dunstonh

Kkirst089 wrote: »

Hi,
I am claiming under financial hardship from HSBC, I sent my final letter on the 7th december '15. I am yet to hear from them, i was wondering how long is the time they have to reply? The template letter states 14 days but i've also seen 8 weeks? I understand 8 weeks is how long to wait to report to the FOS.
Thanks

There is no timescale. However, they have to send update letters which detail the delay and after 8 weeks you have the right to go to the FOS. However, in cases like this you wouldnt go to the FOS.

Hopefully, you didnt use a template letter or if you did, hopefully you personalised it with issues specific to you and not generic template reasons.

If you only sent it on the 7th then you would expect acknowledgement to arrive within a week. Then give it a few weeks from there and expect to hear from them then with a bit more detail asked from you.

Kkirst089

Hi, how was your experience with HSBC in the end? As i am reclaiming from HSBC. Thanks

Kkirst089

Thankyou. Yes I have made the template my own at nearly two pages and sent old and new evidence backing my story. Was amazed at how much paper work (mainly transaction lists) ther is to send. I will keep posted. Thanks again.

dunstonh

Kkirst089 wrote: »

Thankyou. Yes I have made the template my own at nearly two pages and sent old and new evidence backing my story. Was amazed at how much paper work (mainly transaction lists) ther is to send. I will keep posted. Thanks again.

Actually, there is nothing you need to send and it can be as little as one sentence in your letter.

You dont need to send statements or transaction lists. You dont need to specify amounts you want refunded (as that is no longer how it works). It can be helpful to provide copies of debts and/or utilities that you are in arrears with to prove you have in hardship. However, as long as your letter has enough info to get the person at the bank on your side and feel sympathy for you then your job is done. Under no circumstances should you say the charges are unfair or wording to that effect and its best not to demand anything from the bank. You are after a goodwill gesture after all and not in a position to demand anything.

Kkirst089

Not sure how to 'reply' i seem to be making new posts... I have followed this site for help and information on how to claim and read through this forum also, i am happy with my letter and it doesn't drag on. I will take any advice so thanks for that. Nor have i stated the charges unfair as i have read alot in this forum, i will wait for a response. Thanks

dunstonh

Kkirst089 wrote: »

Not sure how to 'reply' i seem to be making new posts... I have followed this site for help and information on how to claim and read through this forum also, i am happy with my letter and it doesn't drag on. I will take any advice so thanks for that. Nor have i stated the charges unfair as i have read alot in this forum, i will wait for a response. Thanks

I find the easiest way is to copy and paste the text you are replying too. Then select it again and then press the quote button (looks like a speech bubble). OR, If you are quoting the whole response, then press the quote button in the bottom right of the post you are replying to.

Good you did your research. Although the guide on the site is a bit out of date and tells you to do things you do not need to do. If you have done them then it does no harm. The big no no is the stating that the charges are unfair. So, you avoided that. Good luck....

Ugguy

Hello, sorry haven't read this whole thread so please bear with me.

I would like some advice or tips on what to do to claim bank charges. First of all though, can I start to make a claim when I have forthcoming charges? Or do i have to pay them first then start the process?

Then what's the best way to actually do the letter? Is it a good idea to use a template, or type one from scratch? Also when I send the letter do I send it to my branch or to the bank's headquarters/head office? Would the CAB be able to help me to put a letter together?

I'm really sorry for all the questions but I am in severe hardship to the point where I'm unintentionally putting my family in hardship as I almost constantly have to ask for money and recently I unintentionally made a bad decision about where to buy a bit of food shopping which meant I accidentally spent more than I intended.