I wanted to use BACS for a transfer and was told NO! only CHAPS.

crowsnest3000

Hi Guys,

I am very very angry at the minute and I am looking at possible legal advice.
I went into LloydsTSB to make a transfer for a property. The money doesn't have to be in the solicitors account until Friday so a 3 day BACS transfer would be ok for me as I refuse to be ripped off by £30 to press a few buttons on a CHAPS transfer. The bank in question was my registered branch who hold my account.

The customer service fellow said that it was NOT possible to make a BACS transfer, I said why?, he said that its over £10k, I asked to see it in writing where it states that you cannot use BACS in my own Branch of Lloyds, he ignored me.
Yes I am aware that internet banking has a limit of £10k due to fraud etc but In Branch??

He said that it was Lloyds policy so I asked him to see the policy, he could't answer me. He said there wasn't one to see.

I said that 3 days is ok as I am not in a rush, he said not possible, must be CHAPS and you owe us £30.

I said can't I just break the payments down into smaller payments and make several ones in BACS, he said no, CHAPS only.

So there it is, I was robbed in broad daylight in front of 20 people for £30.

Where do I stand legally on this?? Does anyone have a link to the written statements that prevent people using BACS for higher priced funds? I need to see this in writing. If there isn't anything written down I feel that many many people could get their money back for being duped into the CHAPS scam.

Happy for the advice before it goes legal.

opinions4u

Can you even make a BACS transfer via the branch?

The bank has no requirement to offer what you wanted. If they have it available and refuse to let you use it when you qualify, then there's a case to answer.

That said, a CHAPS transfer would be preferred by a solicitor.

Happy for the advice before it goes legal.

I would suggest the bank's complaints procedure followed by the FOS makes a lot more sense than "going legal".

For £30 it just makes you sound silly.

crowsnest3000

Yes, I was fobbed off over the phone trying to complain as they cannot give me an answer.

I checked BACS and CHAPS websites and it mentions nothing about limits.

Yes many solicitors like CHAPS for fast completion dates but my Solicitor could have waited until Friday so BACS would be great.

Also £30 is my £30(I don't care if it was £1million). If I mugged you in broad daylight for £30, would that go legal if It was witnessed???????????

mrsw

I had the exact same problem with my bank when buying a house a few years ago. I got around the problem by transferring the money is separate transactions of 10K each. The alternatives are

- (if you still have time) write a cheque, but the solicitors must wait for it to clear before you can proceed.
- ask for a Bankers Draft as this is cheaper than a CHAPs transaction in some banks.

crowsnest3000

Right Guys,

I have just managed to speak to a senior person at Lloyds and they spoke to the Branch involved in this.

LloydsTSB are now refunding the £30 (along with mobile phone charges) as they are at fault.

I have managed to get my money back and I am now satisfied with the outcome.

There is NO upper limit in Branch for a BACS payment as long as you have full ID with you (as I did).

I was mugged, now I'm happy.

anselld

You can actually transfer up to £25k via faster payments.
As you have said, no limit on BACS, however AFAIK it is not guaranteed to clear fully in 3 days.

crowsnest3000

anselld wrote: »

You can actually transfer up to £25k via faster payments.
As you have said, no limit on BACS, however AFAIK it is not guaranteed to clear fully in 3 days.

Freedom of choice with Your OWN money.

Nobody deserves the shocking customer service that I had to endure this morning. I am a strong person so I'm no stranger to conflict but as I have said, Lloyds held their hands up and apologised with a refund.

It must be said that many people in the UK have been ripped off with this CHAPS scam.

But then again...CHAPS scam or lack of training??

ChiefGrasscutter

Chaps is a manual system
It has to be entered up and checked off/approved by bank staff of senior authority
It is not 'automatic' like BACS & FP
Someone has to actually do the work - a charge of around £25 to £30 sounds reasonable.

I don't know the ins and out & details of the systems - other posters/users on MSE do.

willo65

Can a lloyds staff member confirm if you can do bacs in branch? In Natwest bacs is only available online or telephone banking.

jonesMUFCforever

I did not think you could do a BACS transfer in branch - the only reason why they refunded his fee was to get rid of him.

MME_2

crowsnest3000 wrote: »

LloydsTSB are now refunding the £30 (along with mobile phone charges) as they are at fault.

You've totally got away with that. You can't do a BACS payment in a LTSB branch at all, not even for a penny. So yes, CHAPS was one of the alternatives, the other being a draft. The only way to do a BACS payment is online/phonebank so unless they said this was not possible I don't see any reason to refund you other than to shut you up!