First Direct - (merged)

lmeehan67

:T Hi, just want to update you all re my claim. I originally claimed £2197 plus interest but they wrote back saying I already had £50 refunded previously so my charges were only £2147. I was also aware that as im in Scotland i could only claim 5 years back so really it would only be £2070. Anyway they offered me £1825, i wrote back saying I agreed it would be better to settle out of court but that i didnt agree £1825 was a fair amount HOWEVER to bring an end to the matter I would accept £2000. Today I got a reply saying the usual "without admission of liability etc" they will make a payment in full and final settlement for £2000 !! I am so happy, was beginning to think I shouldve just took the £1825 but now Im glad I asked for that wee bit more !

Right, im off to post in the SUCCESS thread, been dying to get posting on there !!!!

Good Luck everyone, keep going. (cant stop smiling !)

Ps - started from scratch about 6th December so took 2 months all in.

Rex_Mundi

JonnyT wrote:

Every Year First Direct charge me something like £25 for the pleasure of having a £500 overdarft instead of the standard £250 overdraft

Of course I pay interest on this overdraft.

Is this fee illegal?

No, you are paying a fee for a certain type of service (a bigger overdraft). You cannot reclaim this charge.

Little_Legs_6

Received this day a letter dated 7th Feb, standard one but saying they will respond within 10 working days.

Getting closer????

laurmurph

I had a response to my claim for repayment, but they've knocked out charges they made on the 6 years of statements sent to me but just out of time of my letter to them. When does the six year clock start ticking? From the statements issued, from my letter to them, from their receipt of my letter, or from their offer? MY claim was for over £200 and because of the 'out of date' claims they're only offering £55.

I'm sure this is fair for their dates, but has anyone else argued the start of the six year countdown?

Edinburghlass_2

The six year clock should start when they receive your letter.

alisonjs

insert swear word

My 10 day wait is up and this morning I got a letter telling me that they disagreed and pointed me towards their T&Cs, and that they were refusing to repay my charges.:(

What's the next step? Is this normal? I'm a bit scared for some reason

What's the worst that can happen if I take this forward?

BoingBoing_2

Dear Sir/Madam,

ACCOUNT NUMBER: xxxxxxxx

I am writing to request that you repay all the default charges that have been applied to my account. I do not believe these charges reflect the true cost to First Direct of going into unauthorised overdraft. I now understand that the regime of 'fees' which you have been applying to my account in relation to direct debit refusals, exceeding overdraft limits and so forth are unlawful at Common Law, Statute and recent Consumer regulations.

I calculate that you have taken £xxxx.xx plus £xxx.xx which you have charged me in overdraft interest for the sum which you have taken. Total £xxxx.xx. I am enclosing a copy of the schedule of the charges which I am claiming.

I believe I have been unlawfully deprived of the money and therefore ask that you repay me the full amount.

I look forward for a full response to this letter within 14 days.


Yours faithfully,


I sent the above reply to firstdirect on 29 January. The 14 days is almost up (12 Feb) and apart from the standard 'sorry to hear you feel you have cause to complain etc etc' I've not heard anything else?

What should my next step be if I don't hear from them by 12 Feb?

Many thanks

j4jennifer

Through this website and GMTV I have been inspired to claim First Direct bank charges applies to my husbands account.

They returned the £10 cheque and the last six years of statements followed.......

Looking through previous posts it seems as though the 'small' interest charges cannot be applied, but the larger ones e.g. overdraft and excess overdraft can. In his case this comes to around £3000.

Is it best just to claim for the 'overdraft and excess overdraft fee' including interest and then settle for 'what he actually paid back' or is it best to go 'all the way' and claim for the interest on the excess fees (not the smaller e.g. £1 monthly interest fees). Am i correct in thinking that they only want to pursue the 'court thing' if you want to keep the interest?

Hope this is clear and someone can advise.

alisonjs

Sorry to seem selfish - I'd love any answers to my earlier post - re what's the worst that can happen?

lulu5

hi all, im a newbee, ive been following the tips for a while now, i finally bit the bullet and started the ball rolling to re-claim my bank charges, im with first direct. i also recieved my £10 back, so far so good. i have received my statements for the last 6yrs, it all looks quite daunting, (but got to be worth it), as im sure im owed a couple of hundred.
My question is, what is it i actully include in the list of charges that you return to the bank, and how to lay it all out, so it doesnt look like an amateur. also, i dont understand the optional adding on of interest ive seen the calculator. id be gratefull of any advice. apologies for all the questions. thankyou
lulu5