First Direct - (merged)

JoJo_Sparkly

Just wanted to say to Martin and all at MSE that I am so inspired by your article. It came at just the right time as I have just gone to my First Direct account to find that they have racked up over £135 in fees for me this month as I exceeded my overdraft. I had contacted them to tell them I was with CCCS and launching into a Debt management Plan - They happily cashed my cheque to them and pushed me over my limit. :mad: .
I'm determined to get myself out of the financial mess I got myself into and thanks to everyone on this site(especially the DFW Board) I'm up for the long hard slog.
First letter goes off today to find out just how much I've been charged. fingers crossed!
By the way has anyone else tried First Direct and with what response?

nickmack

First Direct are part of the HSBC group and many people have successfully had money returned by them.

By the way, they are obviously rattled, because it seems they are attempting to exact revenge by imposing a £10 monthly fee on current account holders who do not pay £1,500 into their account each month.

Diggerb_3

nickmack wrote:

First Direct are part of the HSBC group and many people have successfully had money returned by them.

By the way, they are obviously rattled, because it seems they are attempting to exact revenge by imposing a £10 monthly fee on current account holders who do not pay £1,500 into their account each month.

First Direct! I was with them some years ago, but binned them, they are I think one of the worst banks I have ever had the misfortune to deal with,
Which surpises me as they are part of HSBC,, I have been with HSBC for years and generaly HSBC has been very good to me (so far) not the same for everyone I know, I think it largely depends on the branch itself that you deal with.

However, if First Direct do impose the fine (cos thats what it is) of £10.00 for having less than £1500.00 in the bank at any one time, I reckon they will lose a hell of a alot of customers, and share holders, "for whom the bell tolls" you might say.

Diggerb

Scubajay

As part of my new mission to not be crap with money I am following a number of little paths, one of which is reclaiming all the loot banks have squeezed out of me.

I have the statements back from bank 1 - first direct, and it amounts to about £1200. About £1300 with interest.

I have the letter already printed and ready to go, a nice spreadsheet breaking evrything down, and an attachment with the interest on it as well. I want to send this off ASAP, but I have another £100 being charged to me on 18th of December. Knowing they are going to take it anyway, shall I just add the charge to come on the claims list as well? I don't mind losing a couple of quid on the interest as I will be lucky to get that too.....but I don't want to do it all again for £100 when I can add it now.

Cheers!

J

HSBCrusher

You can add it on now, and you would be wise to do so, as some banks tend to close the account on the second claim.

Scubajay

cheers for that. Have done so.

Got a sexy little spreadsheet that my Accountant GF did for me as well. It will wow them over!!!



(I hope)

Jason

JoJo_Sparkly

Hi there
Two weeks ago I sent the first letter to FD asking for copies of statements for last 6 years and enclosing the fee of £10.
This mornming they have returned the cheque stating this service is free and that I can expect to recieve statements soon.
Was really surprised that they returned the cheque - could have put it towards my Visa debt!!
Mind you they have charged me £140 in charges this month - so not all good!
JOjO

cindyhove

what address did you use to write to them?

cindyhove

Hi,
Sorry if the info is on here, but I have looked thru the messages and can't find the address I need to write in the first instance to First Direct to obtain the bank charges incurred over the past 6 years.
Can anyone help?
Thanks

kimmie32_2

first direct
40 wakefield road
leeds
LS98 1FD

Hope this helps

williamh1

That's right - use the main address for First Direct. I sent out one of the standard letters together with a cheque for whatever to receive a letter stating that the cheque had been destroyed as First Direct doesn't charge for this facility. I was also advised that the documentation I requested (statements and account notes) would be delivered by courier. It was, about a week later. There are hundreds of sheets of A4 to go through and I'm getting ready to gird my loins and attack 6 years worth of statements.