Bank Account Out of Control

fiisch

I've been charged with trying to reclaim my girlfriend's brother's bank charges. His account is wildly out of control, currently £500 overdrawn but having paid thousands in bank charges. I have yet to receive a letter from Halifax detailing the amount of these, but to give you an idea, from March to December Halifax gleely told me he'd paid £2310!

I spoke to Halifax posing as him. I would estimate the amount paid in bank charges to be in the region of £20,000 in the last 6 years. They were extremely helpful, and the advisor even suggested trying to reclaim the charges! Apparently the account has been passed into the hands of Blair Oliver and Scott, a debt collecting agency although on contact them they had no record of his details.

I've read the step-by-step guide in detail, and certainly he falls under the category of financial hardship. At 26 years of age, he ticks nearly all the boxes and in his current situation will never get out of the debt spiral. Unfortunately, he is hopeless with this sort of thing, so I have agreed to help (do it for him). What sort of percentage of the bank charges should I be gunning for? Is it something that has to all be handled in writing, or can some of it be performed over the phone (I seem to deal better talking to someone, plus I'm impatient).

I've read the success stories and it gives me some hope - particularly when he banks with Halifax who seem to be one of the better ones. What tact should I take with the bank?

hicskis

When he owes that much has he considered leaving the UK for six years?

vaporate

hicskis wrote: »

When he owes that much has he considered leaving the UK for six years?

:rotfl:lol

fiisch

Could be a plan... I've told him to fake his own death but he won't listen! After ringing their debt line it sounds quite serious - apparently he was days away from the bayliffs knocking.

He owes £538 and the bank has recommend he contact CCF to organise a repayment plan. Would his case for reclaiming be strengthened if he pays off the overdraft?

The crazy thing is he earns £300 a week with only £40 outgoings... some people are beyond help! I'm trying to reclaim so he can grab a new start and begin afresh. He's hopeless with things like this but I'm fancied as quite a wrangler - I managed to gain £200 out of Vodafone for a mistake on my account and a further £150 off Alliance & Leicester for making a mistake with my billing address...

natweststaffmember

fiisch wrote: »

I've been charged with trying to reclaim my girlfriend's brother's bank charges. His account is wildly out of control, currently £500 overdrawn but having paid thousands in bank charges. I have yet to receive a letter from Halifax detailing the amount of these, but to give you an idea, from March to December Halifax gleely told me he'd paid £2310!

I spoke to Halifax posing as him. I would estimate the amount paid in bank charges to be in the region of £20,000 in the last 6 years. They were extremely helpful, and the advisor even suggested trying to reclaim the charges! Apparently the account has been passed into the hands of Blair Oliver and Scott, a debt collecting agency although on contact them they had no record of his details.

I've read the step-by-step guide in detail, and certainly he falls under the category of financial hardship. At 26 years of age, he ticks nearly all the boxes and in his current situation will never get out of the debt spiral. Unfortunately, he is hopeless with this sort of thing, so I have agreed to help (do it for him). What sort of percentage of the bank charges should I be gunning for? Is it something that has to all be handled in writing, or can some of it be performed over the phone (I seem to deal better talking to someone, plus I'm impatient).

I've read the success stories and it gives me some hope - particularly when he banks with Halifax who seem to be one of the better ones. What tact should I take with the bank?

You need to start the process as outlined by Martin on here and ignore the advice about leaving the country for 6 years which I doubt your friend could afford anyway. You need to sit down with him and apply the lending code to his individual circumstance. Expect nothing but tell Blair, Oliver and Scott(internal debt collection agents for B O S) that you are dealing with the original creditor.

hicskis

You'd be best leaving the country for six years than to start acting as financial manager for someone who is hopless about managing their own affairs until that person can. Run away now before it'S too late.

natweststaffmember

hicskis wrote: »

You'd be best leaving the country for six years than to start acting as financial manager for someone who is hopless about managing their own affairs until that person can. Run away now before it'S too late.

Run away and don't face your problems.....that's the sort of advice worth taking. At least they have asked someone to help which would suggest that they know there is a problem.