halifax bank charges (merged)

groovymum

hi this is my first attempt at this so here goes, i just wanted a littlt advice, am attempting to reclaim charges from halifax for £2,545.00 Have done everything by the advice given so far, requesting statements etc, that took 6 weeks to eventually get them after numerous phone calls and excuses from 08457 number! anyway sent letters 2 then3 and got the usual response, sorry no can do read terms etc, anyhoo sent letter threatening court with 7 day reply time which ran out yesterday, rang my branch to see if could settle before court, woman whom spoke to was very nice said it had been passed on to head office, couldnt be dealt with in branch, told me i wasnt the only one claiming, and gave me a phone number. i guess my question is should i call these people on mon asking what my position is or just go ahead withj online court claim???? can anyone help or advise me am at home after having knee op last mon and feeling sorry for myself ! could do with some cheery news ta

vanman7

ok, now my friend needs a little help.
first of all he asked halifax for six years of statments and got them.But after sending his first letter he noticed that they sent him seven years of statments, and out of £1600 (inc interest) £300 of that was in the first year,that he can not claim for.
Now why can we only claim for six years.
he phoned the bank and they say that they will not pay for the first year,and they will NOT pay the interest for the rest of the claim, as they do not have to pay it and if he wants it then he will have to take them to court for it.
is this true that they do not have to pay the interest,? or are the just ripping him off, and can he claim the first year as they have given him the statments and can prove the charges.?

Amanda28_2

Hi

I have recently been made aware that there are people reclaiming their bank charges, and thought I might give it a shot.

As is the case with everyone who has tried this, I am absolutely terrified.

I phoned my bank, Halifax, to ask for my last 4 years bank statements, which they were happy to send, thinking I only had maybe around £1500 in charges. I recieved them a week later, and spent a good couple of hours going through them and adding up how much they had taken. I was shocked to find that, since March 2004, they have taken over £4000 in charges, of which £118 was taken in one day! Obviously I am slightly worried about asking for that amount of money back. As my credit rating is not all that good, I don't know if I can open another bank accoount anywhere else, if they took it away. Are they legally allowed to do this? If not and they did, what can I do?

I have downloaded the letters and will be sending the first one as soon as, but has anyone had a really bd experience with the Halifax. Then I can be prepared for whatever they throw at me.

Thanks

Amanda

Edinburghlass_2

vanman7 wrote:

ok, now my friend needs a little help.
first of all he asked halifax for six years of statments and got them.But after sending his first letter he noticed that they sent him seven years of statments, and out of £1600 (inc interest) £300 of that was in the first year,that he can not claim for.
Now why can we only claim for six years.

This is limited by the courts

he phoned the bank and they say that they will not pay for the first year,and they will NOT pay the interest for the rest of the claim, as they do not have to pay it and if he wants it then he will have to take them to court for it.

This is also correct.

is this true that they do not have to pay the interest,? or are the just ripping him off, and can he claim the first year as they have given him the statments and can prove the charges.?

Check Martin's article for these points.

Step-by-step Guides: Bank Charges: Reclaim Your Cash | Top New Bank Account Calculator: Charge them interest Template Letters: (right click and save) Ask for charge details |Initial letter | Second letter | Small claims note Get Updates On Important Changes: Free Weekly Money Tip

Edinburghlass_2

Amanda28 wrote:

Hi

I don't know if I can open another bank accoount anywhere else, if they took it away. Are they legally allowed to do this? If not and they did, what can I do?

All banks can and some do close account/withdraw overdraft, have a look at the Budgeting and Current Account board for the thread about a basic bank account just incase you need to open a new account.

I have downloaded the letters and will be sending the first one as soon as, but has anyone had a really bd experience with the Halifax. Then I can be prepared for whatever they throw at me.

Thanks

Amanda

.......................

vanman7

Amanda28 wrote:

Hi

I have recently been made aware that there are people reclaiming their bank charges, and thought I might give it a shot.

As is the case with everyone who has tried this, I am absolutely terrified.

I phoned my bank, Halifax, to ask for my last 4 years bank statements, which they were happy to send, thinking I only had maybe around £1500 in charges. I recieved them a week later, and spent a good couple of hours going through them and adding up how much they had taken. I was shocked to find that, since March 2004, they have taken over £4000 in charges, of which £118 was taken in one day! Obviously I am slightly worried about asking for that amount of money back. As my credit rating is not all that good, I don't know if I can open another bank accoount anywhere else, if they took it away. Are they legally allowed to do this? If not and they did, what can I do?

I have downloaded the letters and will be sending the first one as soon as, but has anyone had a really bd experience with the Halifax. Then I can be prepared for whatever they throw at me.

Thanks

Amanda

Don't be too scared about askig for YOUR money back from your bank. They took it,they shouldn't have took it and you WILL get it back, just as long as you follow the step by step guide and don't miss anything out.
Most of all stick to your guide lines and dates and don't be put off by them. You are in charge now and they have to do as you ask them as long as you stick to the guide.
Good luck

Ergo_2

Received my statements today which I'd asked for on the 6th Jan (21 envelopes poor postie!!) Calculated charges to be almost £800 plus interest, which I thought I'd claim for so I can use it is a 'haggling' point in the future if I need to. Opened new account with Lloyds who were really please to have my custom (even offering me a £4k credit card, which I turned down) and they're going to arrange the whole transfer and closure of my Halifax account for me.
I will not be treated shabbily by a bank who had had my custom for over 25 years, withdrawing my overdraft and giving me a far inferrior account without even a letter of explanation!! How dare they!!! Sorry feeling a bit rebellious, but it's a good feeling to be doing something positive at last and the first letter is ready for posting!

douglawson

Hi,
This is my first post but have already started to claim back charges.
15th Jan Posted first letter
3rd Feb 27 Envelopes arrived with 132 pages of statements.
5th Feb Sending second letter registered to claim back charges.
I am claiming back £2,522
Wish me luck
Doug:j

mark_steps

I have sent the Pelim letter followed by the LBA and so far no reply, Not even a thank-you your complaint will be dealt with.

I think this is very unusual, what do you guys think??

rebelwithacause

hi,
this is my first post also but i wanted to thank martin and everyone else on this site.
i got my statements in december total charges £374.00.
wrote asking for it back on the 11th jan, recieved standard looking into it response within 4 weeks reply.
i heard nothing within the 14 days so sent letter threatening court action on 31st jan.
8th jan recieved letter stating they are still investigating and to expect a response before 9th march!!.
7 days until court action was up on the 7th feb so this morning i thought i'd give them a ring to tell them i was about to submit my court claim. was told a letter would be in the post tomorrow.
10 minutes later i got a phone call offering me £260. told them it wasn't enough.
lady on phone spouted some rubbish about only having to pay back charges on credit cards not bank accounts.
told her that i know that was a load off rubbish(not in those exact words lol)
then i got offered £300, i said no to that.
she was really pushing me and refusing to pay back the full amount and i was running out of answers.
she asked how much i wanted, i said full amount, she said no way as it does cost them to send letters etc.
in the end after about 5 minutes i setteled at £325.00.
acceptance letter should be in the post today.
i know i could have pushed for the full amont but i was getting all tongue tied on the phone.
still it's only £49.00 less than full amount so i'm quite happy, especially as its money i thought was gone forever.
couldn't have done it without this site so a BIG THANKS from me.