NatWest (merged)

ElaineE_2

brightonman wrote: »

Absolutely. I can't stress the importance of this enough. The fact that a recorded delivery has to be signed for (in fact, I think that's what the Post Office calls it now, "signed for") is the only way of proving to the courts, should it come to that, that you have followed the correct procedure, even if the bank hasn't. For the sake of an extra £1 or so on the cost of a letter, it's worth it every time.

The Post Office website has the details here: Post Office Recorded Signed For prices

BUT... I sent a recorded letter to my Natwest branch oin Swanley Kent on the 2nd April - the funny thing was the post office was across the other side of the road to the branch and the po lady looked at me as if I was mad until I told her it was to reclaim bank charges! After two weeks I rang branch to be told they do not accept recorded post! I rang sorting office for an answer as I have proof someon signed for the letter on the 4th. Seems it went to the DArtford branch (along with all their post)where a member of staff 'pops it in to them' (their words) on their way home!!!
So, Swanley cant trace the letter and I rang the 08000 154212customer relations number today and kept being cut off when I ask about my letter.
Elaine
I'm going to the branch to keck !!! tomorrow its day 39 and close enough to 40 days for me to act!

sasy_sfinx

OK so I've filled in my letters ready to start the claim process but I'm getting really confused about where I stand in my situation and have a few concerns...and they're complicated concerns so ANY advice would be REALLY appreciated...

I have a graduate account with NatWest, which currently has an overdraft of £2000. Due to my crap job, I've been in the red since I graduated 2 years ago and only have just enough cash to survive each month so have been living off my overdraft since I graduated and by the end of each month I'm always very close to the limit. Now over the last 5 or 6 months things have really snowballed! I had to pay out for an unexpectedly HUGE electric bill (leaving me even closer to the breadline) and then a bonus from work I was depending on got delayed...this resulted in charges for unpaid direct debits, taking me over my overdraft limit, and then charging me for going over my overdraft. It gets worse, I'm at the limit of my credit cards too and of corse they've charged me too for the late payments. And yes I can hear you all groaning in disbelief at my lack of organisation

So with exception of my student loan my debts are quite minor at £3200, but it's more than enough for me and I am struggling to handle them but I've taken my head out of the sand and I am trying to sort out my situation now.

So that's the brief story...here's my worries/questions:
1)Because of all the snow balling, I'm fully aware that this will affect my credit rating quite badly, so to what extent will this damage my chances of getting a parachute account?
2)If I can't get another account elsewhere should I continue with my claim process?
3)If I do continue with my claim is it likely that the bank will close my account...even though I owe them money (granted, at a guestimate they owe me more!)
4)Who should I address the cheque to? (the £10 for my statements)
5)Can they start charging interest on the whole of my overdraft even though part of it still is interest free for another year?
6)With the credit card situation my parents are really pushing me to get another credit card with 0% balence transfer and become a tart, I'm happy to do this but this also invloves a credit check...should I prioritise a parachute account? and can 1 credit check affect the other?

I'm in a proper pickle here. I can't afford to have a life, I can't afford nice things, I spend one day thinking "it's just money it's not the end of the world" and the following few days thinking "I'm gonna end up on the street by the end of the month" I'm getting stressed out to the eyeballs, which is actually making me ill and I'm losing alot of sleep (hence doing this at 1.30am) and generally on the verge of tears whenever the bank is mentioned!

But like I said, I'm starting to deal with it and I'm looking for a new job where I actually get paid my worth!

HELP!
And Many MANY thanks in advance

brightonman_2

sasy_sfinx wrote: »

So with exception of my student loan my debts are quite minor at £3200, but it's more than enough for me and I am struggling to handle them but I've taken my head out of the sand and I am trying to sort out my situation now.

That's more than enough debt at your age and in your situation. Better by far to deal with it right now.

sasy_sfinx wrote: »

So that's the brief story...here's my worries/questions:
1)Because of all the snow balling, I'm fully aware that this will affect my credit rating quite badly, so to what extent will this damage my chances of getting a parachute account?
2)If I can't get another account elsewhere should I continue with my claim process?
3)If I do continue with my claim is it likely that the bank will close my account...even though I owe them money (granted, at a guestimate they owe me more!)
4)Who should I address the cheque to? (the £10 for my statements)
5)Can they start charging interest on the whole of my overdraft even though part of it still is interest free for another year?
6)With the credit card situation my parents are really pushing me to get another credit card with 0% balence transfer and become a tart, I'm happy to do this but this also invloves a credit check...should I prioritise a parachute account? and can 1 credit check affect the other?

Right, first of all, don't panic. The only way to deal with this is to remain calm, cool and logical -- much more Mr Spock than Captain Kirk!

1) Your credit rating can affect your ability to get credit. If you follow the advice of just asking for a Basic bank account (which is quite a specific thing), you should be OK, as this type of current account is often given to people with very poor credit ratings indeed. You can find advice about opening this type of accoount elsewhere on this site.

2) You will be able to get another account. Continue with the claim process regardless -- it's your money, they owe it to you, demand it back.

3) Whether the bank decides to close your account or not is entirely arbitrary. With some people they have, with others they haven't. And in any case, this constitutes unfair treatment, which you can complain about to the Ombudsman, their Customer Services department and so on. Again, have a look around the posts on this site for examples of how people have approiached the problem if it happens. But my feeling is, don't let it put you off.

4) You make the cheque payable to NatWest. Or are you asking where you send it? If the latter, the address for NatWest's statements is:

NatWest
Retail Regulatory Risk
2nd Floor
Cornerstone
60 South Gyle Crescent
Edinburgh
EH12 9WF

5) You'll have to check the Terms and Conditions on your overdraft agreement.

6) Credit checks all mount up. If you get too many in a short period, it will adversely affect your score. Again, this site gives great advice about getting the best deal for your circumstances. Click on the Credit Cards section, where you'll find a section called "Your Credit Rating: How it works and how to improve it."

Good luck, and keep your chin up.

smudgemanc26

Katie~baby wrote: »

I was in the same position so decided to contact FO when natwest had had 6 weeks. I informed the lovely lady at FO that natwest had informed me they would probably not be making an offer before the 8 weeks and by my dates their 8 weeks was almost up. They were REALLY helpful and contacted them on my behalf. I would'nt of called them before the 6 weeks though.

You can fill out an application onlnine at the FO website or over the phone. Eithier way a quick response is garunteed.

Katie did you write them an email to the address on the website as i cannot find a complaints form to fill in?!

sasy_sfinx

brightonman wrote: »

1) Your credit rating can affect your ability to get credit. If you follow the advice of just asking for a Basic bank account (which is quite a specific thing), you should be OK, as this type of current account is often given to people with very poor credit ratings indeed. You can find advice about opening this type of accoount elsewhere on this site.

6) Credit checks all mount up. If you get too many in a short period, it will adversely affect your score. Again, this site gives great advice about getting the best deal for your circumstances. Click on the Credit Cards section, where you'll find a section called "Your Credit Rating: How it works and how to improve it."

OK, firstly thank you very much!

Secondly I had a letter this morning from the bank apologising for their mistake of letting a direct debit be collected 5 days before it was due, thus going over my limit and they've refunded the TWO charges for this error...so thats a step in the right direction and already making me feel more positive!

Thirdly is it advisable to go and apply for a normal current account and only if that fails go for a basic bank account? or just go straight for the basic?

Thank you again

artskie

Hello, This site and forum have been a great help upto now!

I have sent my 3 letters to natwest but did not send any recorded delivery so i have no proof of sending. I also have had no response from natwest whatsoever.

I am at the court stage now and wondering what i should do.
I have no proof of sending any letters to natwest.

Should i resend letter 3 threatening court action recorded delivery or just go ahead with court proceedings?

Thankyou for any help!

brightonman_2

sasy_sfinx wrote: »

Thirdly is it advisable to go and apply for a normal current account and only if that fails go for a basic bank account? or just go straight for the basic?

I'd go for the full account first. If that fails, you can always go for the basic account. Again, I'd refer you to the advice Martin gives elsewhere on this site. Click on the Loans & Banking button on the left, then read the Best Bank Accounts section.

mrkh1

Hi wonder if anyone can help, i am currently claiming 'charges' back off the natwest. I have got my statements and calculating how much they owe my but a little confused as what to claim for. The account was a advantage gold account which had a £6 per month fee. On my early statements this clearley stated as 'service fee' which i know i can't claim back. But on my later statments it just says 'charges' with my a/c No, and the ammount is still £6.00. But in some months this ammount goes up and then comes down. I rang the bank yesterday to quiry this and was told the charges could be bulked together so how do i know how much to claim. Can anyone help as i want to proceed with the claim but don't want to get my fact wrong if it goes to court

smudgemanc26

mrkh1 wrote: »

Hi wonder if anyone can help, i am currently claiming 'charges' back off the natwest. I have got my statements and calculating how much they owe my but a little confused as what to claim for. The account was a advantage gold account which had a £6 per month fee. On my early statements this clearley stated as 'service fee' which i know i can't claim back. But on my later statments it just says 'charges' with my a/c No, and the ammount is still £6.00. But in some months this ammount goes up and then comes down. I rang the bank yesterday to quiry this and was told the charges could be bulked together so how do i know how much to claim. Can anyone help as i want to proceed with the claim but don't want to get my fact wrong if it goes to court

There is an answer to this question somewhere on this thread ive seen it but cant remember the answer sorry i dont think its too far back. If i come across the answer i'll post it up for you.

smudgemanc26

After waiting since March for my refund or any correspondence from Natwest i have today made a claim to the FO. I had to go home at dinner so thought i would check the post. To my suprise there was a letter from Natwest but it wasnt an offer of a refund which they said verbally they have made it was a f'ing letter to say ive gone over my overdraft!!! Fuming isnt the word :mad: :mad: :mad:

I rang them immediately blood boiling and explained i wouldnt have gone over my overdraft if they hadnt have kept charging me - £170 last week since initial claim and £70 again this week!!! I told the lad who i didnt want to shout at as its not his fault he just happens to answer the phone and explained if i could get my sodding refund back ive been waiting for they can have their overdraft back.

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH EVERYTIME I THINK ABOUT IT, IM GETTING SOOOOOOO MAD!! :mad: Cant believe they have the cheek!