in need of help reg halifax

ILGPink

I am in the middle of filling out my application for miss-sold PPI but am unsure if Hlaifax have been fined by the FSA for miss-seling.

have googled and it says on one of the dodgy we can claim on your behalf websites that they have but nothing onmartins guide about them.

thanks in advance for the help

Consumerist

It will not make any difference to your claim whether Halifax has been fined or not. The fact that a number of banks have been fined means that more banks are taking claims seriously and are investigating them.

If your claim is genuine, the claims process is likely to be faster than through the FOS.

Some banks are denying mis-selling but are offering ex-gratia payments instead. Be careful, however, because they may be trying to short-change you.

You may find this post of some interest.

Good luck with your claim.

ILGPink

hi thanks for the reply. I'm just wondering because I am trying to decide how to word the whole application and wonder if they have already been fined or not. dont want to say they have if the havent IYSWIM

thanks again

dunstonh

but am unsure if Hlaifax have been fined by the FSA for miss-seling.

It just makes complaint handler laugh when they get irrelevant points like that. It can also do harm as it can make your complaint look less personal and more like a try-it-on and the person at the other end dealing with your complaint may take a less sympathetic view.

the only time that the FSA fines apply to your complaint is if your complaint is in conjunction with the fine. For example, the AXA cashbuilder fine related to sales in a period and AXA had to refund premiums for anyone that complained if they took a policy out in that period. Or if there si an enforcement action that requires them to treat complaints in a certain way.

Consumerist

Your letter should be brief and to the point.

You need only state the fact that you are complaining because you consider that the sale of the PPI policy sold to you with your loan/card was not appropriate in your circumstances at the time and that you claim a full refund of all premiums and compensation in accordance with FOS guidelines. Indicate that you have enclosed the PPI questionaire with your letter. Keep a copy of both in case you need to refer to them later.

ILGPink

thanks to you both. never done this b4 so not sure what to put. I believe I was miss-sold and have points to raise but just wasnt sure where to start and what I should put.

and having looked at Martins help guide that was also one the points he had; so wasn't sure if I needed to mention that also

thanks again

dunstonh

and having looked at Martins help guide that was also one the points he had

Problem is that complaints evolve and the way complaints are handled evolve. Template letters are designed to make it easy. However, as some people abuse them, the companies start to become cynical. Reasons that may sound flash could actually be more damaging. Look at it from the other side. You are now a complaints handler for a company. You get the post and you see a template letter that is identical to dozens of others you have seen this week and lists reasons you know aren't applicable or are easily refuted. Do, you go out of you way to help this person or do you think of them as someone just trying it on with a copycat template letter?

Even the FOS have admitted that template letters are less successful than personal complaints. Use a template letter as your basis but dont include irrelevant points and personalise it to apply to your situation.

A lot of complaints end up with no proof it was mis-sold but no proof it was sold correctly. So, a balance of probability decision needs to be made. If your template letter includes points which can be proven to be incorrect, you look less credible and it can work against you.

It doesnt matter if you list one reason for mis-sale or ten. They have to deal with your complaint. One reason is it all it takes for it to be upheld but one reason where you are caught telling lies or include a reason that is proven to be wrong can be enough for your complaint to end up rejected.

So, basically, stick to personal reasons that are applicable.

For reference, I go to periodic compliance meetings where we are shown examples of complaints and outcomes (to help us see how we can avoid them in future). The complaints handlers at those meetings say they can usually tell the true complaints from the try-it-ons. Dont make your complaint look like a try-it-on.

amersall

I am all for writing your complaint in your own words, i did all my claims and friends as well on one piece of paper. Just keep it simple and to the point and only put info relevent to you. Good luck with this and keep us posted x (i am not knocking templates, but i found them to be tedious. Do what works for you )

di3004

Yes I agree, a letter in your own words, its your own personal letter and as amersall says I'm not knocking templates either, but to companies they all look the same and they will possibly think they are try it ons if you know what i mean.;)

The main points are.

To request for a refund of PPI, plus interest.

Give your reasons on why you believe you were mis sold the PPI.

State you expect to hear of a decision by 8 weeks.

Then confirm if your not happy with the final outcome of your complaint - you will then consider making a complaint to the Financial ombudsman service (FOS).

There is a questionnaire in replacement of the first template letter on this site (FOS PPI questionnaire) not to get confused with the FOS complaints form.

You can complete this and then send to whom is responsible to setting up and selling you the policy.

Remember to save a copy in case you need to refer to it later on.

You will come across the questionnaire on link below, further on down the page as Stage one.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance

So do either of the above, or both if you want to.

Good luck.;)