Portal Claims - overcharging!

sarahcolin1998

I have just won my PPI claim with Halifax through Portal. I knew that Portal charged 25% plus VAT, but I thought that would just be on the actual compensation I received back, instead I discovered that they also charge 25% for the payments I would have made in the future!!

So instead of charging me 25% plus VAT on the £1615 I am receiving, they are charging me 25% plus VAT on £3250 (which includes all the future PPI payments)!! This means I walk away with about £600 and Portal take the majority of it! Is this correct, can they charge 25% on payments that I have not even made??

Please be aware of this fact and DO NOT USE Portal Claims (I have put in a complaint with this company and await a response).

maxdp

sarahcolin1998 wrote: »

I have just won my PPI claim with Halifax through Portal. I knew that Portal charged 25% plus VAT, but I thought that would just be on the actual compensation I received back, instead I discovered that they also charge 25% for the payments I would have made in the future!!

So instead of charging me 25% plus VAT on the £1615 I am receiving, they are charging me 25% plus VAT on £3250 (which includes all the future PPI payments)!! This means I walk away with about £600 and Portal take the majority of it! Is this correct, can they charge 25% on payments that I have not even made??

Please be aware of this fact and DO NOT USE Portal Claims (I have put in a complaint with this company and await a response).

Blimey Sarah that is a lot in charges. I suppose they just say in the initial paperwork 25% plus VAT of the PPI charges which is very ambiguous. Do you have the original paperwork? You could complain the the Ministry of Justice if you feel you have been mis lead.

sarahcolin1998

Thanks for your response Max, the Halifax did say that if I was unhappy with the company's charges, then to go to the Ministry of Justice, but I wasn't sure if they would take much notice! I will dig out my original paperwork though.

maxdp

sarahcolin1998 wrote: »

Thanks for your response Max, the Halifax did say that if I was unhappy with the company's charges, then to go to the Ministry of Justice, but I wasn't sure if they would take much notice! I will dig out my original paperwork though.

Sarah the more people that complain then the more notice would be taken and MOJ may do something about it. I would read very carefully over the agreement and if you feel the wool has been pulled over your eyes then you could go down to your local CAB who could advise you. Please post up what the agreement said though somebody may be able to advise you. Good Luck

maxdp

http://www.portalclaims.com/faq/howmuchwillitcost.aspx Just had a look on their web site and they have stated that it is of the amount of compensation.

sarahcolin1998

This is what their T&C's state

"Compensation" means the aggregate of any sums paid, awarded or waived at the time of such payment, award or waiver that would not have been paid, awarded or waived if the claim had not been made. This includes all charges or fees recovered plus interest, premiums & interest paid to the date of settlement, statutory interest payable on each premium to the date of settlement and any other amount, including rebates or any reduction of debt as a result of Portal Claims submitting a complaint.

I have received a letter in response to my complaint and it just basically tells me that it's all in their T&C's & I have to pay!

sarahcolin1998

I have now just e-mailed a complaint to the Ministry of Justice, will see how far I get (if anywhere)!! :mad:

BigCraigJohn

Have they refunded you directly?
If so I would just pay them monthly 25% of whatever the monthly ppi would of been.
Its shocking though, be sure to kick up a stink and mention it everywhere online.

maxdp

sarahcolin1998 wrote: »

I have now just e-mailed a complaint to the Ministry of Justice, will see how far I get (if anywhere)!! :mad:

Good for you. It is quite ambiguous statement they have in their terms and conditions and they are obviously hiding among this. It is against what they have put on their web site.

I have to say it is the first time I have heard of them charging on unpaid PPI.

PC_Gabriel_Kent

Better advice is claim yourself and so no need to lose any money to a claims company.

PortalTim

PC_Gabriel_Kent wrote: »

Better advice is claim yourself and so no need to lose any money to a claims company.

Couldn't agree more. The best thing for people to do IS to make a claim themselves, but the reality is that there are many people who either simply want some one else to do it for them or don't know they can claim until they see one of our adverts or will not make a claim unless their situation is explained and a solution suggested to them.

As for our fees, I have made every effort to make our fee structure as clear as possible. On top of spelling out what our fees are on our website and in our T&C's, I've also put in place a team who's job it is to call every one of our customers to verbally explain to them our fee structure (this was put in place about 8 weeks ago). I'm open to suggestions as to what else I can do, with in reason?

Tim
Portal Claims