Report Bank Charges successes and failures

blinko

what about that I managed to get them back, and i so need the money aswell, i currently suffer from back problems, and lost 2 jobs to ill health and i am struggling to make ends meet then remembered i had this and thought i might chance it and they have given me a full refund

I used my own letter but i was clear to include calcuatlions and i was very polite

wow

thank you

AliG83

Ok I've now been trying to reclaim for 4 years now, since before the court ruling, just after it was first reported that you could reclaim. My case got seen in court just as the test case did so was put on hold and eventually turned over. My case is being investigated by the financial Ombudsman as we speak (its been with them for 6 months). In all those 4 years of chasing, hassling and threatening I've never recieved a single reply from Halifax. It just seems so odd that so many other people on here have written to the bank a couple of times and thats it. Has anyone else had the same experience as me?

Premier_2

AliG83 wrote: »

Ok I've now been trying to reclaim for 4 years now, since before the court ruling, just after it was first reported that you could reclaim. My case got seen in court just as the test case did so was put on hold and eventually turned over. My case is being investigated by the financial Ombudsman as we speak (its been with them for 6 months). In all those 4 years of chasing, hassling and threatening I've never recieved a single reply from Halifax. It just seems so odd that so many other people on here have written to the bank a couple of times and thats it. Has anyone else had the same experience as me?

I know the ombudsman is snowed under at present, but just to let you know now they "will not usually handle a complaint which has already been considered by a court (or where court action is due to take place)".

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/publications/consumer-leaflet.htm

AliG83

They have taken on the case (after a brief period of handling forms and awaiting responces from the bank) it was sent to an investigator who is investigating. Mine was both a case of snowballing and hardship which is why I sent it to them (on the advice on this site 2 out of 3). To be honest I'm not too worried about the money anymore I just want an apology or even for the bank to acknowledge my existance. Like I said no phonecall or personalised letter in over 4 years. Especially when they often took out more in fines than I actually earnt. Does anyone else have this experience? I feel like I'm pulling my hair out here!

Premier_2

AliG83 wrote: »

They have taken on the case (after a brief period of handling forms and awaiting responces from the bank) it was sent to an investigator who is investigating. Mine was both a case of snowballing and hardship which is why I sent it to them (on the advice on this site 2 out of 3). To be honest I'm not too worried about the money anymore I just want an apology or even for the bank to acknowledge my existance. Like I said no phonecall or personalised letter in over 4 years. Especially when they often took out more in fines than I actually earnt. Does anyone else have this experience? I feel like I'm pulling my hair out here!

If your claim was based on financial hardship, then you do realise that you could have asked your claim not to be stayed at the time?

It's a shame you didn't, as the bank would probably have paid up back then. If you were in the financial hardship you continue to claim you were in, I feel sure the money would have been quite handy then, even if you don't need it today.

lucia85

becsblade wrote: »

Hi hope someone can help. I tried to reclaim bank charges for my brother on the grounds of hardship. He is unwell and has lost his job. Lloyds TSB replied that at the time of the bank charges he wasn't suffering hardship so the charges were fair. Does anyone think it is worth writing back to Lloyds or going to the ombudman with this. kind regards

Iv been trying to claim charges back from lloyds for almost 2years and havent got a apenny even going through the ombudsman they said that i wont get anything so not much more i can do they get away with selecting certain people they want to refund!:(
When i asked them about this they can comment which i understand but its unfiar how some can get a refund yet others cant...good luck

AliG83

Damn! Premier I didn't realise that! lol could of had this tied up a long time ago. I guess I just didn't think of it at the time as I was no longer in financial hardship (it was only for the period I was claiming). Lucia thats exactly what I get frustrated at, two of my friends have made claims from the same bank as me and for roughly the same amount, neither of them was in financial hardship at the time and both got paid near enough straight away. It's literally a lottery!

lucia85

AliG83 wrote: »

Damn! Premier I didn't realise that! lol could of had this tied up a long time ago. I guess I just didn't think of it at the time as I was no longer in financial hardship (it was only for the period I was claiming). Lucia thats exactly what I get frustrated at, two of my friends have made claims from the same bank as me and for roughly the same amount, neither of them was in financial hardship at the time and both got paid near enough straight away. It's literally a lottery!

Yes you are right its very much a lottery, iv seen endless amount of people get refunds from Lloyds and all they say is they are unhappy and are going to leave..think its just very unfair thinking of taking them to a small claims court as i even showed the evidence i was in hardship, had debt the lot and nothing! yet they still have the money to pay bonus and i wonder where that comes from?

Premier_2

AliG83 wrote: »

They have taken on the case (after a brief period of handling forms and awaiting responces from the bank) it was sent to an investigator who is investigating. ...

AliG83 wrote: »

Damn! Premier I didn't realise that! lol could of had this tied up a long time ago. I guess I just didn't think of it at the time as I was no longer in financial hardship (it was only for the period I was claiming). ...

So on what basis are the FOS considering your complaint? :huh:

The FOS will normally only consider claims for bank charges now that are made on financial hardship grounds (or where the bank has applied charges not in accordance with their terms & conditions)
http://www.financialombudsman.co.uk/faq/bank-charges.html

AliG83

Yeah, sorry they are looking at it from the hardship aspect but for the period of time I was originally complaining about. During that time I was earning £60 a week and often had £72 a week taken out in fines. As a result I got myself in a lot of credit trouble (simply in order to eat). That was for a period of time between 2000 and 2003, I first complained about this in 2006 when my income was slightly better. By late 2007/8 I had got nowhere so went to court, which was put on hold until the ruiling in 2009. I let it go for a while and then in 2010 went to the Ombudsman. I have only just finished paying off the ccj/debt I had to get into in order just to live! The FOS is looking into it for the snowballing effect. Obviously they were taking out more than I earnt and therefore there was no hope in me paying it back despite me trying to get help - as I've said before I've been with Halifax for just over 10 years and they have never sent me a single personalised letter. GGGrrrr! it makes my blood boil!!