Proving Financial Hardship

catc87

Hi,

I am overseas and am looking to try reclaim bank charges due to financial hardship and them being EXTREMELY disproportionate. I have a part time cash in hand job and therefore do not claim benefits here but I was wondering if the Ombudsman would still look at my case and whether I can try claim even so?

Thanks

dunstonh

I am overseas and am looking to try reclaim bank charges due to financial hardship and them being EXTREMELY disproportionate

Forget disproportionate (or unfair). That method of complaint has gone as the banks won that case.

You need to put your case to the bank and point out that you are in financial hardship. Give them details (and prove where you have it) of where you are in arrears or have defaulted debts and give them a breakdown of your income and expenditure.

You need to go through the bank customer relations team before you can get access to the FOS.

catc87

Hi and thanks for your reply. I do understand I have to go to the bank first but now I realise I have to prove financial hardship to them (I initially thought it would just have to be proven to the Ombudsman).

What I'm actually wondering is if I can explicitly state that my only source of income is through cash in hand jobs because it isn't exactly the most "approved" thing if you know what I mean (although very common)?

Thanks again

dunstonh

What I'm actually wondering is if I can explicitly state that my only source of income is through cash in hand jobs because it isn't exactly the most "approved" thing if you know what I mean (although very common)?

The bank complaints team do have a legal responsibility to report cases of benefit fraud or tax evasion. So, do be careful of what you say if you should be declaring those cash jobs but are not.