Bank Charges Reclaiming Guide discussion

beverly_hills

Hi, I'm new to the site,and have just read, with interest, many of the recent Q&A's, and wonder if anyone can advise - from experience - on the "financial hardship" and "human" criteria of bank charge reclaiming, and success or otherwise.
Due to health problems over the past 2years for myself, and 1 year for my husband, we are now in a position that we are having to wind up our small business, are in arrears with mortgage, 2 utilities, and a couple of c/cards which we had no insurance on.
We both have adequate Income Protection Insurance Policies...but the delay there is a different story...main word being "Insurance"!!!!
Our bank , Lloyds TSB, situation is that we are having to pay in money simply to cover charges/interest, to the detriment of insurance policiy premiums etc.
I have approached the bank, both personal and business managers (have had to wait nearly a year to see the new business manager) and the best "help" they would offer was to increase our personal overdraft by £300+ to cover 2 months charges/interest, despite the fact that my main request at the time was to pay £120 on 1st June to cover arrears & current months' premium of my husbands' IPP.
Surely this must be unethical? It's definately immoral! ( I did manage to get the IPP payment through before the charges came off.)
I have made it quite plain that when I get the relevant info to the insurance co, there will be money coming in, (need to get accounts up-to-date but still not quite there yet) allbeit that they (underwriters) have used every trick in the book to delay/refuse my claim - again a different story.
The bsns manager today told me there is nothing to stop me trying to reclaim charges, but I made it clear that as we are in a very vulnerable financial position just now, I am very apprehensive about doing that in case of repercussion from the bank. I am aware that creditors are not supposed to hassle ill people, but I'm afraid I still feel they could well go in for the kill and take the consequences later!
I have also made it clear to the bank today that my husband is now awaiting a medical consultation as there is a strong possibility that his health condition may be more serious and long-term than initially diagnosed.
I really feel hard done by, getting no co-operation or constructive advice from people who are supposedly in high places.
How do so many numpties get paid for being jumped up pen-pushers???
If anyone hasn't got totally fed up with my tale of woe by now, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

natweststaffmember

beverly_hills wrote: »

Hi, I'm new to the site,and have just read, with interest, many of the recent Q&A's, and wonder if anyone can advise - from experience - on the "financial hardship" and "human" criteria of bank charge reclaiming, and success or otherwise.
Due to health problems over the past 2years for myself, and 1 year for my husband, we are now in a position that we are having to wind up our small business, are in arrears with mortgage, 2 utilities, and a couple of c/cards which we had no insurance on.(credit card charges ie overlimit fees and late payments are reclaimable). Have you spoken with your mortgage provider as well?
We both have adequate Income Protection Insurance Policies...but the delay there is a different story...main word being "Insurance"!!!!
Our bank , Lloyds TSB, situation is that we are having to pay in money simply to cover charges/interest, to the detriment of insurance policiy premiums etc.
I have approached the bank, both personal and business managers (have had to wait nearly a year to see the new business manager) and the best "help" they would offer was to increase our personal overdraft by £300+ to cover 2 months charges/interest, despite the fact that my main request at the time was to pay £120 on 1st June to cover arrears & current months' premium of my husbands' IPP.
Surely this must be unethical? It's definately immoral! ( I did manage to get the IPP payment through before the charges came off.)
The offer would be compliant under Financial hardship criteria.
I have made it quite plain that when I get the relevant info to the insurance co, there will be money coming in, (need to get accounts up-to-date but still not quite there yet) allbeit that they (underwriters) have used every trick in the book to delay/refuse my claim - again a different story.
The bsns manager today told me there is nothing to stop me trying to reclaim charges, but I made it clear that as we are in a very vulnerable financial position just now, I am very apprehensive about doing that in case of repercussion from the bank. I am aware that creditors are not supposed to hassle ill people, but I'm afraid I still feel they could well go in for the kill and take the consequences later!
I have also made it clear to the bank today that my husband is now awaiting a medical consultation as there is a strong possibility that his health condition may be more serious and long-term than initially diagnosed.
I really feel hard done by, getting no co-operation or constructive advice from people who are supposedly in high places.
How do so many numpties get paid for being jumped up pen-pushers???
If anyone hasn't got totally fed up with my tale of woe by now, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I think the bank have complied with their obligations albeit the fact you haven't had a business manager for a year might be cause of additional problems.
Have a read of the lending code because the business maybe something you can look at as well as the personal account.

beverly_hills

Thanks for that, yes I've had a quick look at the lending code, and there is cause for ruffling feathers, although they probably won't treat anything as a serious complaint. Thanks for your time and support.

natweststaffmember

beverly_hills wrote: »

Thanks for that, yes I've had a quick look at the lending code, and there is cause for ruffling feathers, although they probably won't treat anything as a serious complaint. Thanks for your time and support.

I think you need to read the lending code section 9 and re read cos the lack of a business manager might factor into any complaint you make.

strawberryberry

A few weeks a go I contacted Dumremline to close a cash instant access isa Which had matured years ago ) and have the money transferred to a bank account. I Explained I needed theymoney asap as it was to pay or an urgent operation for my sister.
They said write in with a blank cheque and they would send the money to the account.
Two weeks later no money had gone into my account.
I rang them Week last wednesday and they said not received letter - ( seems a bit strange) but woul send the money that day and I would receive it Friday or monday at the latest.
Explained again the money must be in the account as the op was Tuesday ( Pre op Friday) and Murrayfield Hospital would not operate before they received the money.
No money arrived in the account - the op date arrived imagine the trauma when the money was not available my sister was beside herself with worry.
Had to pay by credit card - charges by hospital £200.:eek:
Rang Dunferline they say error on computer and they didnt send money - but would send it straight away.
Ive received a letter of apology from them dated 9th June standard letter.
Any ideas what I can get back from them and how to word letter.

Sorry this is a rant and a bit wordy but the whole thing has been very distressing.

Thanks very much for any help.

natweststaffmember

strawberryberry wrote: »

A few weeks a go I contacted Dumremline to close a cash instant access isa Which had matured years ago ) and have the money transferred to a bank account. I Explained I needed theymoney asap as it was to pay or an urgent operation for my sister.
They said write in with a blank cheque and they would send the money to the account.
Two weeks later no money had gone into my account.
I rang them Week last wednesday and they said not received letter - ( seems a bit strange) but woul send the money that day and I would receive it Friday or monday at the latest.
Explained again the money must be in the account as the op was Tuesday ( Pre op Friday) and Murrayfield Hospital would not operate before they received the money.
No money arrived in the account - the op date arrived imagine the trauma when the money was not available my sister was beside herself with worry.
Had to pay by credit card - charges by hospital £200.:eek:
Rang Dunferline they say error on computer and they didnt send money - but would send it straight away.
Ive received a letter of apology from them dated 9th June standard letter.
Any ideas what I can get back from them and how to word letter.

Sorry this is a rant and a bit wordy but the whole thing has been very distressing.

Thanks very much for any help.

Write exactly the same kind of thing that you have written here. Timeline of what happened, the error by the bank and the charges you received(you need proof of that £200.00 as well) and ask them for the £200.00 that is cost you to deal with it all.

strawberryberry

Thanks for that , I have got a letter from the hospital to show the charges made by them for using a credit card so hopefully that will suffice.

basj

Yes, I've got planned overdraft for £500 a month which I can't get out of because I earn too little to cover the overdraft and have enough money to get till the next salary without using the overdraft..;/

basj

natweststaffmember wrote: »

Do you have priority debt arrears?

Yes, I've got planned overdraft for £500 a month which I can't get out of because I earn too little to cover the overdraft and have enough money to get till the next salary without using the overdraft..;/

Premier_2

basj wrote: »

Yes, I've got planned overdraft for £500 a month which I can't get out of because I earn too little to cover the overdraft and have enough money to get till the next salary without using the overdraft..;/

Having borrowed and spent more money than you earn / are able to repay is not necessarily financial hardship.

Have a look at the links to the online financial hardship resources available in this sticky
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2428497
and see if you still think you have a case for financial hardship.

Note that even if you do eventually build a case for financial hardship, and you convince the bank accordingly, they are not obliged to repay any bank charges only to treat your claim sympathetically & positively.


Edit: a planned overdraft that is costing you £500 a month means you've probably borrowed about £24k. :eek:
Have a word with the bank and see if they can change that to a loan which will be easier to repay.

Or do you mean the overdraft is £500 in total? In which case you don't need to pay it all off each month. Having said that, overdrafts are not designed for long term lending, so if you need a long term loan, again speak with your bank about a loan which will be less expensive.