Nationwide

Scope_2

Hi there, this is my first post, I did do a search but I could not find any details on it!

Firstly thankyou so much for doing this, you have made it look so easy! Which has given me the courage to do it! So thanks in advance!

I have a query about the first step, requesting all charges, do I send this to my local branch, or to head office?

If it matters the bank I will be dealing with is Nationwide!

Once again many thanks!

Rex_Mundi

Hi Scope

Welcome to the forums.

I'm dealing with four seperate cases for people (and four different banks). In each case, we have sent all the letters to the persons own (local) branch. This has worked in every case so far. My only recommendation is to send EVERY letter recorded or registered delivery so you have proof that they received it.

Once you get to court, you have to issue the papers to the registered company address of the bank.

Scope_2

Many thanks, for the quick reply, I will get the first template letter sent off in the morning.

Just out of interest what are the chances that this will go to court, and will there be any legal fees?
Basically I just want to try my luck I want to do stages 1 - 4 to see if I hit jackpot, but I don't want to have deal with taking a bank to court. So if they say no by the end of stage 4 I want to leave it at that.

Also are there any repercussions that can come out of this, i.e. if I do stages 1 to 4, and they haven't paid out. Can they fine me, take me to court e.t.c. Sorry if this sounds silly I just need to be sure in my head!

Once again thank you!

Rex_Mundi

Chances are. You will follow stages 1-4 and the bank will claim you have no case. It's only at the court stage that the majority (nearly all) of the banks are settling for the full amount. Some will make a low offer somewhere in stages 1-4.

On one case I'm running (Natwest), we have (at various stages through the process) been offered £264, £1300, £1700. This was on an orginal claim for £2600 (now £3300 because of interest and court fees). In every instance, we've turned these offers down.

Scope_2

Ok, thank you again for the quick reply, I think my first step is ovbiously to do step one, just to see how much I am owed! Im pretty sure that when I get my default charges back it will make me want to take them to a small claims court! I just dont want to end up forking out lots on legal fees.

Again, thankyou!

chralph

Can anyone inform me where to send my second letter stating my bank charges to?

I do not know which address to send the letter to...?

Any help would be much appreciated.

nickmack

Scope, The banks are hoping that you will be frightened of taking them to court. DON'T BE! If you follow the instructions carefully, the process is fairly straightforward.

There's a good chance that you will have to file a claim against them, as most will not just give you the money without a bit of resistance. The chances of you having to actually go to court though are virtually zero.

You will have to pay a court fee, but you will get this back.

johnalexwood

I'm with Nationwide too. I've already done step 1 - I've written to HQ and they've written back saying, predictably, no. But they point out that I signed the Ts & Cs agreeing to those charges. Does that mean they've won? Or is it the case of penalty charges being illegal, whether agreed to or not? I want to point out that the customer is stuck in a bit of a Catch 22 because you can't get an account in the first place if you don't agree and sign!

nickmack

johnalexwood, very briefly, it doesn't matter that you've signed the T&C's. The penalties are unlawful and as a layman, in the eyes of the law, you could have not have known this. Continue with your claim and ignore what the bank are saying, don't involve yourself in any dialogue apart from the letters in the guides.

johnalexwood

OK thanks. They say they abide by the rules of the FSA - so how come the FSA allows these penalty charges in the first place?

In their reply to me, they say: "We hope that you will feel that you can abide by the terms and conditions of the account but if you cannot, then regrettably, it may be appropriate for you to consider alternative banking arrangements." Is this a coded hint to say, if you try and sue us, you will no longer be welcome as a customer? Do they have a right to kick me out? I like their service (apart from the illegal charges) and don't want to change banks. John Wood

weiran

Hi,

I'm in the process of claiming back the charges from Nationwide, and I understand that Nationwide will close your account once they pay out?

They say that as I'm unable to abide by the terms and conditions I signed (even though I've pointed out that I think they are illegal!), they cannot operate the account with me and I should go somewhere else!

I also read that some people are fighting this, as I'd prefer not to have to change all my direct debits and such. Has anyone been successful with this?

Thanks.