HELP! CC dept gone into my account and taken money

Lilmiss_2

Hi all,
I have a CCdebt with HSBC, I also bank with them. Unfortunately Ive tried and tried to explain to an indian call centre that Im on benefits . Theyve taken £300 from the account .... that money was my rent money:( Its housing benefit

They arent refunding it...Im trying to make some sort of arrangement with them but I keep getting screamed at by people from their indian call centre to pay up.. now theyve gone in and taken my rent. Im despairing

MrsTinks

Firstly they can offset from any account you have if you have defaulted debts with them - this is why we always advise you to set up a basic account with another bank whom you don't have any debt s with - please do this today or this will keep happening. As the money they have taken were benefits they should refund it - if you aren't getting anywhere with the indian call centre can you call your local branch or go in in person?
Unfortunately I doubt most indian call centres know the ins and outs of rules around benefit payments and that they can't take these for off setting - heck loads of banks in the UK don't know it... so you may have a fight on your hands. And this could take a few days - sorry. If you are in private accomodation explain what has happened - tell your LL that you are fighting them to get the money back ASAP but there may be a slight delay - better to let them know in advance than for them to just find out when something bounces in their account because your rent money hasn't gone in.
I did think that you could arrange for your HB to be paid direct to a LL? That should avoid any problems in future... (I could be out of date on that one though!)

pixiechick_2

I started claiming at the beginning of April and I have my HB paid direct to my landlord, though I'm with a housing asociation house not private rented.

Happytogetdebtfree

All the best lil miss, chin up and hope you can sort this out x