Bank Charges Reclaiming Guide discussion

markdsmith_2

markdsmith wrote: »

Update 4 (the_insider please note this is an update and not a request for help) - The FOS adjudicator called today and asked me to send a copy of the letter from the Debt Collecting Agency as they are asking Nationwide why they approached another debt collecting agency 1) Without informing me and 2) Whilst this investigation was ongoing.

Hopefully I will give a positive update soon.

UPDATE 5!!

Had a letter today from the ombudsman saying they have rejected my claim as the bank did all they could to help by 1) reducing my overdraft by £1,000 with 21 days notice and 2) agreeing to my attempt to reduce the overdraft further by £100 per month.

However, they seen to have ommited that I also asked for all further charges to be suspended until I had cleared the overdraft to assist me in clearing this debt. But these charges still got added causing me to go over the reduced overdraft each month and then incurring further charges.:mad:

I am struggling with other debts at the moment and have written to other creditors asking for help (i.e. reduced payments and suspending interest for a three month period to help me). Two out of four have agreed. But this letter today ha realy knocked me back. Don't know what to do now

Any advice gladly accepted.

Happiness6500

Hi couple of questions: complaining to lloyds over charges. Initial letter was a standard response , no refund, I wrote again , putting more detail into the claim . I have a 2nd a final response stating no refund , but this time it has a proper complaint reference and looks like it was signed by a real person .

Is this a good sign.

Just about to write to the ombudsman , I am going with the human argument that the charges have materially hurt my situation. I am broadly saying that by the bank not helping me early on ie 2004-2006 when i was being heavily charged and didnt complain as i found the bank to be unhelpful. That today i find through cycle of charges and the constant sourcing of credit that i find myself in the spiral of debt i am in today . I have examples in the letters of charges ie one month i was charged £200 for unpaid dd and couple of months later £170. Is it enough to say this ?

Thanks in advance

Lillyme

I tried via FO for bank charges back from Halifax last year but no joy.

Currently on JSA and having to pay £30 odd pounds monthly, charge for approved overdraft. They can't reduce amount so I have to pay. Hopefully ile get a job soon and clear the overdraft.

natweststaffmember

markdsmith wrote: »

markdsmith wrote: »

Update 4 (the_insider please note this is an update and not a request for help) - The FOS adjudicator called today and asked me to send a copy of the letter from the Debt Collecting Agency as they are asking Nationwide why they approached another debt collecting agency 1) Without informing me and 2) Whilst this investigation was ongoing.

Hopefully I will give a positive update soon.

UPDATE 5!!

Had a letter today from the ombudsman saying they have rejected my claim as the bank did all they could to help by 1) reducing my overdraft by £1,000 with 21 days notice and 2) agreeing to my attempt to reduce the overdraft further by £100 per month.
Can you explain 2 ie did they agree to a payment plan at the time?
However, they seen to have ommited that I also asked for all further charges to be suspended until I had cleared the overdraft to assist me in clearing this debt. But these charges still got added causing me to go over the reduced overdraft each month and then incurring further charges.:mad:
They don;'t have to suspend charges but they might have increased the overdraft to a level that would include those charges and then reduce it gradually over a reasonable period of time, ie 6 months.
I am struggling with other debts at the moment and have written to other creditors asking for help (i.e. reduced payments and suspending interest for a three month period to help me). Two out of four have agreed. But this letter today ha realy knocked me back. Don't know what to do now
Any store card/credit card and/or catalogue charges? What about any hardship funds from utility companies?
Any advice gladly accepted.

See above. Even if you are in financial hardship the bank does not have to refund even 1p in charges but should help you. The FOS have said the reduction of the overdraft was one thing and the payment plan(on the face of it) was the other. The issue you might want to raise is that it failed to include pending charges in that plan or overdraft decrease...

natweststaffmember

Happiness6500 wrote: »

Hi couple of questions: complaining to lloyds over charges. Initial letter was a standard response , no refund, I wrote again , putting more detail into the claim . I have a 2nd a final response stating no refund , but this time it has a proper complaint reference and looks like it was signed by a real person .

Is this a good sign.

Just about to write to the ombudsman , I am going with the human argument that the charges have materially hurt my situation. I am broadly saying that by the bank not helping me early on ie 2004-2006 when i was being heavily charged and didnt complain as i found the bank to be unhelpful. That today i find through cycle of charges and the constant sourcing of credit that i find myself in the spiral of debt i am in today . I have examples in the letters of charges ie one month i was charged £200 for unpaid dd and couple of months later £170. Is it enough to say this ?

Thanks in advance

What did you do about it at the time? Did you speak to the bank and what did they say when you asked for help?
How have the charges put you into financial hardship(which I think is the MSE terminology for the Human Argument)?

natweststaffmember

Lillyme wrote: »

I tried via FO for bank charges back from Halifax last year but no joy.

Currently on JSA and having to pay £30 odd pounds monthly, charge for approved overdraft. They can't reduce amount so I have to pay. Hopefully ile get a job soon and clear the overdraft.

Is it halifax?
If you are on JSA are you eligible for other benefits ie Housing Allowance/ council tax reduction?

Lillyme

Yes its Halifax - they suggested I use another Acc (with a book) and have JSA paid into that, give up my Debit card + account with overdraft and just pay it off. They also sent debt advice contacts - I dont have credit cards etc so really just have to clear overdraft. I really dont want to give up debit card but looks like I will have to follow advice - dont know what happens when I find a job as I would like to have debit card,The charges are huge for overdraft I think but thats probs cos am skint!!!

natweststaffmember

Lillyme wrote: »

Yes its Halifax - they suggested I use another Acc (with a book) and have JSA paid into that, give up my Debit card + account with overdraft and just pay it off. They also sent debt advice contacts - I dont have credit cards etc so really just have to clear overdraft. I really dont want to give up debit card but looks like I will have to follow advice - dont know what happens when I find a job as I would like to have debit card,The charges are huge for overdraft I think but thats probs cos am skint!!!

I personally think that having a debit card is not a major issue for you but when you are back in work and in credit and up and about again(so to speak) then they may allow you a debit card again, if that makes sense.

Happiness6500

natweststaffmember wrote: »

What did you do about it at the time? Did you speak to the bank and what did they say when you asked for help?
How have the charges put you into financial hardship(which I think is the MSE terminology for the Human Argument)?

At the time nothing. I hid from letters , I ignored the situation, probably because I was frightened to resolve the situation. I just accepted that was the way the way things were i guess ! I didn't think there was a point to getting in touch with the bank directly , as they would just see it as fair and common practice . if that makes sense

markdsmith_2

natweststaffmember wrote: »

markdsmith wrote: »

See above. Even if you are in financial hardship the bank does not have to refund even 1p in charges but should help you. The FOS have said the reduction of the overdraft was one thing and the payment plan(on the face of it) was the other. The issue you might want to raise is that it failed to include pending charges in that plan or overdraft decrease..

Thaks for Replying Natty, I knew you would

I am just replying to the FOS now stating just that and sending documents in my defence. I also pointed out that twice prior to my suggesting I reduce my OD by £100/mth that they reduced it to zero without any notification at all. It was following my 2nd call following the second istance that Idiscussed reducing it gradually. I also asked if they could suspend all future charges on the account to help out. All they said at the time was they would consider it.

I realise I am clutching at straws and they don't have to pay a penny, but I feel so hard done by when I was the one who suggested the monthly reduction yet they still continued to charge me. I must add my statements prove it was their charges that took me over my limit each month!

Keep up your good work I think you do a great job on here (even if some people do not like your answers LOL) :T