First Direct - (merged)

RichyRich

First Direct's Customer Service address is:

first direct
40 Wakefield Road
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS98 1FD

It is a division of HSBC Bank plc. Registered Office:

HSBC Bank plc
8 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HQ

cindyhove

thanks.
Well - here goes!

nickmack

Just remind them your request is still bound under the Data Protection Act and they have 40 days. You offered payment and they refused it, some of them try to then state they are simply providing statements outside of the Act as a delaying tactic.

shazzab_2

I sent my first letter to First Direct last week with the £10 cheque as per Martin's instructions. I received a reply today with my £10 cheque enclosed saying they would send me copies of all my statements, which will be sent by courier and will be provided free of charge. They also added if I need any further information to telephone on the number enclosed. Not bad since I was expecting them to ask me to close my account.

Rex_Mundi

Not all the banks put hurdles up all the time.

The only part of this letter I would be wary of is the telephone contact part. If you intend to claim back your charges, and have to issue a court claim. You can't prove what has been said on the phone, but you have got proof if you only deal in writing. You may not need it, but just in case, it's very handy to have proof of all the contact you have with the bank over this matter.

I'm dealing with different peoples claims for them, and have told them all that if the bank phones and tries to negotiate. Tell the bank they will only consider offers in writing , and reply in writing.

nollag2006

Do First Direct record calls ? I am interested to know as I have a court case with them shortly

SkintBint

Just about to claim myself! Rather scared though lol :eek:

I have got to say I'm a bit confused though, which first claim letter and spreadsheet do I use the ones from MSE or the CAG site? Gotta say those vampiress spreadsheets confuse the hell out of me!!

shazzab_2

Don't be scared about claiming back anything. I have successfully claimed back over £5500 from Abbey Life for a shortfall in an endowment policy, which I would probably not done anything about, if it weren't for all the advertisements on tele. I have also got a claim for a PPI's on the go with First Direct as well as my bank charges, oh and also claim against HSBC for a mortgage protection payments I paid for 17 years.

michael1983l

Diggerb wrote:

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

I have dealt with First Direct over the past 2 years and I think that they are a reasonable bank to deal with. Yes they charge high amounts for fees when you go over your limit and miss payments but they are also very reasonable to deal with if you make dialogue with them, my credit rating is the poorest you could find but they helped me restructure my finances anyway even though in normal circumstances I wouldnt get a loan. They have also set emergency overdraft increases in place when I knew I was going to go ovber limit and asked them for this service to stop me getting charged and they always agree.

Just thought it was only fair to give both sides of the story, and as they have been good to me they are the only bank im not taking to court. Plus they owe me the least anyway.

debster369

nollag2006 wrote:

Do First Direct record calls ? I am interested to know as I have a court case with them shortly

Yes they do record calls. It is possible to get a copy or a transcript of a call you have made but not sure how you would go about it.