Report Bank Charges successes and failures

natweststaffmember

outadebt wrote: »

• 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.

They don't have to refund even 1p under financial hardship. They can waive fees/charges or they can increase an overdraft, offer to reschedule the overdraft.
Unless you are arguing how the drop in income which is the starting point(cos that is the cause and not the charges) and how the charges decreased the amount you had available to priority debtors(rent/mortgage, council tax, utilities, HP for car used to go to work or CSA payments) then the FSA is unlikely to change that opinion. The bank has never had to refund 100% of the charges under financial hardship.

Littlespender63

Bank NatWest
Amount claimed £260.59
Amount they paid £212.00
The story - Dormant account that had not been closed. Annual direct debit came in which had been forgotten about. This took the account overdrawn & NW applied £38 charge for returned DD & charged £28 for overdraft (they didn't pay the DD either !). Since this occured in May 2009, I have written to them numerous times to complain the charges were unfair & disprortionate using this Site's template letters. Following Court decision in Nov 09, we continued to exchange unpleasantaries & they added a monthly overdraft charge of £28 / £20. In Mar 2010, their Collectins Centre wrote threatening to report me to Credit Reference Agencies. After a few telephone discussions, they agreed to write off £212 if I paid £48.59 (£20.59 overdraft + £28 charge for May 09). I ageed & now account is closed. Hopefully end of story.

Capricornus

Hey everyone.

I sent Natwest a letter about 2 weeks ago to their customers relations address and today got a phone call from them saying they are going to cancel all my charges which have built up to £227 because I was unable to pay them off.

My advice is, don't contact your local branch but write to the Customers Relations.

The good thing that has come out of this is that I learnt a lesson about bank charges.

"Don't incur them in the first place"

rara879

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know of my success.

Bank name: Barclays
Amount Reclaimed: £838
Amount they paid: £570
The story: I wrote to Barclays on the 17th March 2010 using the template on this website asking them to refund the charges over the last 12 months that come to a total of £838 and also claiming Financial Hardship, as each month the bank charges eat up a lot of my income and leave me overdrawn and incurring more charges. I wasnt expecting much joy but thought it was worth a try. I received a letter a couple of weeks later saying that due to the ruling at the High Court they don't have to pay the charges so they wouldnt be doing so but were investigating my claim of financial hardship and would be in touch shortly. I was expecting them to send me a letter saying that they werent going to do anything but today (19.05.2010) I received a letter saying they have accepted that the charges were causing me financial hardship and as a goodwill guesture they will refund me all charges incurred this year which come to a total of £570.

Sharon1874

Hi, I am a newbie here

Bank RBOS
Claim £740.00
Result ????

I have been trying to claim under hardship for the last 6 months. My first claim was rejected. (The bank have been aware my situation for a few months, so I contacted them and reclaimed under hardship again).

Today I called RBOS as I had heard nothing and my situation is now becoming desperate.
I had to give up work due to illness, I am only receiving D.L.A at the moment and have no other income until the rest of my claims go through. Its a slow process!!

They informed me that they had awarded my claim although I have had no letters from the bank stating this.
Also that I will not receive the money until I have handed back my highline card back to them!

I have a Royalties account and pay each month for this facility, the reason I haven't changed to a normal account is that I have a £1,500 overdraft which I cannot afford to clear at the moment.

Has anyone else that has won their claim had to hand their card back for a cashline card without a switch facility?

Thanks in advance

natweststaffmember

Sharon1874 wrote: »

Hi, I am a newbie here

Bank RBOS
Claim £740.00
Result ????

I have been trying to claim under hardship for the last 6 months. My first claim was rejected. (The bank have been aware my situation for a few months, so I contacted them and reclaimed under hardship again).

Today I called RBOS as I had heard nothing and my situation is now becoming desperate.
I had to give up work due to illness, I am only receiving D.L.A at the moment and have no other income until the rest of my claims go through. Its a slow process!!

They informed me that they had awarded my claim although I have had no letters from the bank stating this.
Also that I will not receive the money until I have handed back my highline card back to them!

I have a Royalties account and pay each month for this facility, the reason I haven't changed to a normal account is that I have a £1,500 overdraft which I cannot afford to clear at the moment.

Has anyone else that has won their claim had to hand their card back for a cashline card without a switch facility?

Thanks in advance

Have answered you on your own forum thread.

rara879

Hi,

Does anyone know how long it takes for Barclays to refund charges once you have sent back the form confirming you accept their offer?

natweststaffmember

rara879 wrote: »

Hi,

Does anyone know how long it takes for Barclays to refund charges once you have sent back the form confirming you accept their offer?

Call them and ask them the progress of it and if they have received it.

PartylitePrincess

I first initiated a claim against NATWEST in Feb 2007 for £1500 (including interest).

I was fobbed off with letters until I received one in August 2007 informing me of the test case and that all claims had been put on hold.

In January 2010 this year following the outcome of the testcase I was advised by Citizens Advice to pursue my claim under the financial hardship criteria as I am not working and have a DMP for £29,000 with the CCCS.

NATWEST responded several times that I was deliberately understating my income, but finally admitted on 16th April that they had mistakenly processed my claim using the figures provided for income on a weekly basis rather than monthly as they should have been. I was told that I do fit the criteria and will be sent paperwork to sign in order to receive my refund and that I must return any chequebooks to my branch and sign a declaration to accept any further charges as part of the running of my account. It has been confirmed to me that once I return the paperwork I will receive the refund in my account within 10 working days.

I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY REFUND! (25th May)

I telephoned the Customer Care centre today for the 6th time since 16th April as I have had no paperwork since my confirmation letter and each time I call they say it's been sent and they will resend it again.

The advisor I spoke to today said that another letter was sent to me a week ago and that I should have received it by now, but basically it's not forms as my refund total is ZERO!

He said that I am only able to claim back charges from the past 6 months now and that any that relate to old claims are obsolete since the test case!

As I haven't used my account in almost 3 years he said that there is nothing for me to claim.

When I made my claim in Feb 2007 the amount I was claiming was for a period of 14 months which was how long I had had the account.

What do I do next?

Please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

elnino1978

Just wanted to let you know of my success. :j

Bank name: Ulster Bank

Amount Reclaimed:£1153

Amount they paid:£900

The story: Used the templates on this site to ask for refund due to financial hardship around 12th April. Got reply on 26th requesting I complete financial statement and outline the circumstances leading to my financial problems. Got another letter on 6th May requesting payslip, mortgage statement and proof of debts. Had to wait on all statements coming in so wrote back with the info on 15th May and got a letter couple of days ago making me an offer which I've accepted

This will clear my overdraft with them and clear the credit card with them as well.

Have to give credit where its due, I had one point of contact and they where very prompt in dealing with the complaint etc

It really does pay to use this site and the templates etc Thank You :money: