First Direct - (merged)

BargainHunterCat

I bank with First Direct and I'm estimate I'm due about £250 in unfair charges.
The problem is I'm overdrawn to the tune of £1200 and if they close my account I'll be in a lot of trouble. I also have a credit card with First Direct to the tune of £1000.
I can't transfer to another CC because my credit rating's a bit shot at the moment where I've been making token payments to my other creditors for 4months.
Are FD likely to serve me 30 days notice if I try to get my charges back? If they do I'll be stuffed! I've also read on this site that they may be changing the law soon so you can't wont be able to claim them back for long.:eek:
What do I do?!

System

BargainHunterCat wrote: »

I bank with First Direct and I'm estimate I'm due about £250 in unfair charges.
The problem is I'm overdrawn to the tune of £1200 and if they close my account I'll be in a lot of trouble. I also have a credit card with First Direct to the tune of £1000.
I can't transfer to another CC because my credit rating's a bit shot at the moment where I've been making token payments to my other creditors for 4months.
Are FD likely to serve me 30 days notice if I try to get my charges back? If they do I'll be stuffed! I've also read on this site that they may be changing the law soon so you can't wont be able to claim them back for long.:eek:
What do I do?!

Unfortunately banks can (and do) close accounts at their discretion. It's a matter of personal choice whether you choose to claim or not. Perhaps do some research on this and other consumer forums to see how often First Direct are closing peoples accounts and make an informed choice that way. Also bear in mind though that just because they don't close someone elses account doesn't mean they won't close yours.

There is not to be a change in the law. All that is happening is that the OFT will release it's report and opinions on bank charges in April, this is NOT a barrier to claiming.

Regards
UNDERGROUND

ategid

gladigirl wrote: »

I urgently need some help as I have today received a reply from First Direct but they say they won't refund recall charges of £37.50 each time a direct debit has been recalled. They have deducted these from my total claim. Can I claim them back -I don't know - is this just a ploy by the bank.
Someone please help:mad:

YES!YES!
This is my story I claimed for s/o recall and d/d recall plus all charges other than interest and they still gave me more than I asked for.
Good luck to everyone who are after their charges.
:T :T :T :T

Recieved a letter today offering £1408 without prejudice from First Direct

---

Story
26/2/07 claimed £1050 emailed bank and stated I would accept £850 (desperate)
4/03/07 letter dated 02/03/07 from FD stating they would respond in 10 days
12/03/07 emailed FD stating I was taking it further and adding further aquired charges of £175. They responded stating that 10 working days were not up till 15/03/07
15/03/07 Offer letter today of £1408

Yipee!

ategid

howardmcheng wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum. The money saving tips on bank charges attracted me here. Thank you Martin!

I was just wondering if someone could help me with First Direct charges. They have 2 types, one is an "Overdraft Fee" the other is an "Excess Overdraft Fee". I think they say one is for going over firstly, and the other is for making further transactions when having gone over.

Can I claim for both or just the one where they charge me for firstly going over?

Thanks guys in advance.

Go for both I did. Good Luck

devious

have you ever wondered if those extra charges for not paying your bill by direct debit (DD) are legal. but we pay them any way or switch to DD.
I have.

Well martin are they legal? :money: if they are not, can we claim them back these admin charges!
does the same law or similar stretch to these charges for paying your bills on time but by debit card or however.

does it seem reasonable in the eyes of the law to be charged for paying your bills on time.

you may wonder why i would like to make payment when i want when dd is soooo easy. easy for who?

i watch sky i pay them, i call people i pay bt/O2. :A .but sometimes they take this money out by dd early which gives me bank charges! which i then pay.:mad:

i have always paid the £3 or £4 rather than get £35 bank charge.

hpsaucey

when i was working 5yrs ago I got into arrears with FIRST DIRECT due to overcharges and overdrawn and and when they threatended me with court and i informed them i was on benefits they passed this account to a door to door debt collecting agency and i have been paying them £10 every month for 4yrs still owe £216.oo when i realised it was becasue of charges etc I wrote to FIRST DIRECT and am now trying to claim the whole amount of £716.00+interest[the original sum]. the problem is that when i told the blokey at the door that I wasnt going to pay him anymore until this was sorted out with First direct he said that he would have to report me as a non payer[lst time i have missied in 4yrs etc] and that if I did receive anything from FD I would have to pay him the £216 I still owed. IS THIS CORRECT has anyone any advice for me. many thanx

Bach_Off

Hi all,

A number of people have commented on the fact that FD will charge you £10.00 a month unless you pay into your account a min of £1500 per month.

However, that does not apply if you have taken out one of their products, such as life cover, a savings or mortgage account.

zml

Had my offer letter arrive today. Claimed £337 including interest. Was expecting £275 and was offered £275. They wouldn't pay the recall direct debit fee or the interest but I think this offer is more than fair as I had gone over my limit on several occasions so I have only got myself to blame.
I had another charge applied to my account, due to be debited next month but they have also waived that fee. All in all I am happy with my offer.

give-it-a-go

I am not sure legally but this is only my opinion.

I think this is more a discount for paying by direct debit as its probably simpler for the companies to process rather than being a charge/penalty for not paying by direct debit.

So again in my opinion these wont be able to be reclaimed.

Hope this helps maybe someone with a bit more legal knowledge can add to this.

If you have bank charges due to direct debits coming of early I would phone the company involved and complain.

Give-it-a-go

ategid

zml wrote: »

Had my offer letter arrive today. Claimed £337 including interest. Was expecting £275 and was offered £275. They wouldn't pay the recall direct debit fee or the interest but I think this offer is more than fair as I had gone over my limit on several occasions so I have only got myself to blame.
I had another charge applied to my account, due to be debited next month but they have also waived that fee. All in all I am happy with my offer.

As mentione I rec eived my offer today- it's odd how FD repay some Recall fees and not others. They did'nt question mine at all D/D or S/O recall fees.

Good luck to all I'm after RBS credit card now.