Report Bank Charges successes and failures

Bigfoot73

I last posted about my case mid-February. Just heard from the FOS, who have decided that given what Halifax has told them about my case and my account history it has treated me fairly and in compliance with the banking code, and that I should accept the earlier offer of £203.
Given what I told the FOS about the level of hardship I have endured I am surprised they didn't recommend the bank offer me more, and neither Halifax or the FOS have explained why only £203. However with the FOS deciding in the bank's favour, there's nothing more I can do. At least with the £203 I will be able to avoid further overdraft excess charges.
I'd like to thank all the people here who have offered advice. I guess the 'vicious spiral of debt' argument doesn't carry much weight with the powers that be.

natweststaffmember

Bigfoot73 wrote: »

I last posted about my case mid-February. Just heard from the FOS, who have decided that given what Halifax has told them about my case and my account history it has treated me fairly and in compliance with the banking code, and that I should accept the earlier offer of £203.
Given what I told the FOS about the level of hardship I have endured I am surprised they didn't recommend the bank offer me more, and neither Halifax or the FOS have explained why only £203. However with the FOS deciding in the bank's favour, there's nothing more I can do. At least with the £203 I will be able to avoid further overdraft excess charges.
I'd like to thank all the people here who have offered advice. I guess the 'vicious spiral of debt' argument doesn't carry much weight with the powers that be.

I have to be honest and say I don't remember the advice I gave to you at the time. What did you argue to the FOS?
What argument did you use that the amount was not good enough?

scotflyer

Halifax refusing to repay bank charges anybody else had this with halifax !

ring_4

thanks for that natweststaffmember, the FOS are holding an open day tomorrow in my town so I will pay them a visit and ask them to see if they can help.! will let you know how I get on!! thanks again

19donna82

i have tried to claim back my charges from an old barclays account (which is now closed) telling them that i am in fianancial hardship and i have had this response:

"after reviewing your case i am unable to offer you any practical solutions to your situation as your account is closed." :mad::mad::mad::mad::(:(:(

can i not claim from an old account? the charges amount to over £3000 which would really help me get out of this hole!!

any advice would be appreciated, thanks guys and well done those of you who have managed to get your money back :T

nicola0101

Hi there i'm new to this site and just wanted a bit of advice, i first sent my letter to reclaim under hardship on the 12th of march, received a reply written on the 17th march to say they were looking into my complaint then another letter dated the 18th (received 20th) to say they had looked into it and the answer was no. so i then sent my second letter straight back off on the 22nd march which they acknowledged on the 24th. Didn't hear anything since then so i phoned the bank on the 11th May as it was getting close to the 8 weeks to say i hadn't heard anything. they said it might just be one of the cases that would take a little longer to deal with, then got a letter saturday morning saying they hadn't replied as they felt the first letter had already responded to my complaint as my second letter would have crossed in the post with their reply. Rubbish i know as i would never have sent the second letter if i hadn't received a reply!!! i have kept all my proofs of date of postage and wondered if i can now take it to the ombudsman?

sorry for the essay but just needed some help
Thanks

ailsajayne29

I had requested 2400 pounds of charges from halifax under hardship rules last year before the court ruling, on weds just on the off chance i rang them and said well im even worse now as im considering a dro... they rang me back and offered me 2100 (my current balance with them is 2140) so i accepted, they said 3-5 working days and it will be in my account, im just patiently waiting right now! But i would say its def still worth contacting banks even after the court case! :-D between that and finding out hat as fiat have written of the remainder of my car loan my debt has halved in two days!!! So def give it a shot.... esp with halifax as ive heard other people still being successful :-D :-D :-D

natweststaffmember

nicola0101 wrote: »

Hi there i'm new to this site and just wanted a bit of advice, i first sent my letter to reclaim under hardship on the 12th of march, received a reply written on the 17th march to say they were looking into my complaint then another letter dated the 18th (received 20th) to say they had looked into it and the answer was no. so i then sent my second letter straight back off on the 22nd march which they acknowledged on the 24th. Didn't hear anything since then so i phoned the bank on the 11th May as it was getting close to the 8 weeks to say i hadn't heard anything. they said it might just be one of the cases that would take a little longer to deal with, then got a letter saturday morning saying they hadn't replied as they felt the first letter had already responded to my complaint as my second letter would have crossed in the post with their reply. Rubbish i know as i would never have sent the second letter if i hadn't received a reply!!! i have kept all my proofs of date of postage and wondered if i can now take it to the ombudsman?

sorry for the essay but just needed some help
Thanks

You need to send evidence of financial hardship rather than simply say "i am in financial hardship, give me some dosh(I am kinda paraphrasing)". You need to explain why you are in financial hardship, what caused it(the charges didn't but are a consequence of it) and include a detailed household income and expenditure form. Copies of arrears would be good as well. Furthermore, you need to be aware that Financial hardship is no a loophole to reclaiming and that being in financial hardship does not mean that the bank have to refund any money either. If they say you are in financial hardship, they may make an offer which should not be simply rejected based on the total amount of the charges since that is irrelevant to your financial hardship and any offer that may or may not be given.

natweststaffmember

19donna82 wrote: »

i have tried to claim back my charges from an old barclays account (which is now closed) telling them that i am in fianancial hardship and i have had this response:

"after reviewing your case i am unable to offer you any practical solutions to your situation as your account is closed." :mad::mad::mad::mad::(:(:(

can i not claim from an old account? the charges amount to over £3000 which would really help me get out of this hole!!

any advice would be appreciated, thanks guys and well done those of you who have managed to get your money back :T

The question you have to ask yourself is, how is Barclays causing your current financial hardship? If the account is closed and you are not receiving charges, what impact are they having today? The issue is not that you cannot reclaim under financial hardship but if you are arguing current financial hardship, as a minimum, the account should be open and incurring charges.

outadebt

• Bank name: Lloyds TSB
• Amount Reclaimed: £5500
• Amount they paid: £zero
• The story: In severe financial hardship and above figure goes back 6 years though the bulk of the charges accrued in last few years. Complained to Lloyds who rejected this on the three times I wrote to them, took it to the FOS who (should I be surprised) sides with the bank - I am just completing my second letter to the FOS asking for them to reconsider though a sentence near the end of the FOS letter to me which reads 'the bank is under no obligation to refund any of the charges you have incurred, and we do not have the power to compel it to do so' makes me think I am wasting my time and a stamp despite me being a prime candidate for hardship.

I also find it quite ominous that after a quick scan, it appears refunds by Lloyds are as rare as a hens tooth.