Has your bank closed your account?

markl_4

See article:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/6387713.stm

Would be good to have a 'name and shame' poll bar chart or something of the worst offenders of account closing from the letters asking for fees back.

Luckily I've managed to keep my account in credit since time began so I have not received charges. I closed my Abbey business account a year ago as it wanted to charge me £50 for maintaining my 'emergency' overdraft facility where once it was free. The fact they messed the accounts opening, weren't interested to know why I closed the reserve account when I switched to ICICI and then weren't interested when that account closing letter was clearly not received and a 'phishing' phone call followed from whoever nicked the letter. Frankly a shambles who didn't care. I'm with the Co-op now and they are nice people. Ethical too.

Paul_Herring

Chrysalis wrote:

Paul if a T&C breaks the law it isnt valid. You are aware of this?

I'm well aware of that TYVM. Are you aware that just because one clause 'breaks the law' it does not invalidate the whole set of T&C's?

Banks are well within their rights to require you to keep your balance in credit/within an agreed overdraft limit. Are you seriously trying to imply that if you continually breach that limit, they are required to keep you on as a customer? (Ignore, for the moment, the fact that continual applications of fees keeps some people in the red - I highly doubt people claiming back fees over 6 years back were in the red for 6 continious years.)

wadia860

phil4321 wrote:

That fella on Watchdog was from FOS (Financial Ombudsman Service)...Just googled FOS and found their website...it has a link about 'How do I complain about my bank charges?' on the home page......so i think(?) it's them you need to complain to...

Just don't forget that you need to exhaust every possible appeal with your bank BEFORE going to the ombudsman. They won't even entertain you if you do not have a final decision from the bank.

I'm going to go all the way if my account gets closed down (i got 2 offers of new bank accounts elsewhere this morning!!!:p )

Good luck!

ellenGB

Those planning to reclaim charges must be aware that the banks can choose to close your account as a result. Some have already done that to those who took them to court. The law offers no protection. Not even the European Convention of Human Rights, e.g. article 10.

I've done the legal work, so you don't have to.

Any private company/business can choose to exclude you, remove you etc if they feel like it. This also applies to private hospitals. So beware.

mark02765

hi all im am interested in claiming my charges back but i am worried about my loan and credit card with the same bank (hsbc)if they close my account will they close these as well or just my current account please give me some advise
thanks

nickmack

mark02765 wrote:

hi all im am interested in claiming my charges back but i am worried about my loan and credit card with the same bank (hsbc)if they close my account will they close these as well or just my current account please

If they're up to date with payments, they shouldn't touch them.

phil4321

Paul_Herring wrote:

I'm well aware of that TYVM. Are you aware that just because one clause 'breaks the law' it does not invalidate the whole set of T&C's?

I like your way of thinking....do you want to buy some timeshares?...theres only 1 clause that 'breaks the law' in the t&c's...so its OK really....init?!?

oldwiring

phil4321 wrote:

I like your way of thinking....do you want to buy some timeshares?...theres only 1 clause that 'breaks the law' in the t&c's...so its OK really....init?!?

Paul did say whole TBH if someone does not like one conditionm then they have the right to depart from being a customers as the co has a right to dimiss the customer.

Perhaps the old WW! quip about the sokdier who did not kike his tranch applies. "If you know a better ###### 'ole, go to it!

neilm_3

how many have suffered with their account being closed?

Stephen66

I saw the ITV "Tonight with Trevor McDonald" programme last night (23rd Feb '07). On it it said that some chap had complained to the FOS when A&L closed his account in revenge. A&L did this to me too, but when I complained to the FOS, they were not interested. As I have said before, Mr King from the FOS phoned me up and spent twenty minutes telling me I had no right to reclaim bank charges that were "just" in his opinion. I would like to resubmit my complaint and it would help if I could quote the case that the FOS upheld. Does anyone know? Did anyone video the programme? Thanks.