Household Bank/Beneficial Finance - HFC Bank Limited

Scottrobson

I have just sent my claim off to HFC/household bank for £315 plus interest of £102 so total is £417. Has anyone had any luck in claiming against this bank in the past. I'd love to get some money back.

Scottrobson

HFC sent me a letter this morning saying they wouldn't repay me the charges. My account was called a "Flexi Loan Account", this account was like a Visa account where i had a £2000 credit limit and i could take money out and put money in at any time, they also issued me with a cash card, where i could access £250 a day from a Link machine and i also think they issued me with a cheque book. The charges that i am trying to reclaim where Admin charges at 21 X £15=£315 plus £102 in interest over the 6 years so £417.

Please your vies on the letter are most welcome.


Dear Mr R

Thank you for your letter dated 03 May 2007 with regard to the default charges applied to your account. I have now completed my investigation into the matters raised and have summarised my findings below.

Default charges are charges payable if customers do not make the required minimum payment by the payment due date, if they exceed their credit limit, or if, payment is not made on time, or is returned unpaid. The amount of these charges, and the circumstances in which they are applied, is set out clearly in HFC Bank’s credit agreements. We believe that HFC Bank’s charges to customers are fair and reasonable.

In April last year the OFT published the findings from this enquiry into default charges payable in respect of credit card accounts. HFC Bank has carefully considered the OFT’s publication but does not accept the principal that its findings apply to your type of account. Accordingly, I regret that we are not prepared to make any refund of the default charges payable or provide any compensation.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me to bring this matter ti my attention, I am only sorry it was necessary for you to do so. Whilst I realise that this was not the response you were hoping to receive, I at least hope that my explanation had clarified matters. However, should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01344 892327 or write to me at the above address.

Jodi Lewis
Complaints Officer.

Scottrobson

HFC sent me a letter this morning saying they wouldn't repay me the charges. My account was called a "Flexi Loan Account", this account was like a Visa account where i had a £2000 credit limit and i could take money out and put money in at any time, they also issued me with a cash card, where i could access £250 a day from a Link machine and i also think they issued me with a cheque book. The charges that i am trying to reclaim where Admin charges at 21 X £15=£315 plus £102 in interest over the 6 years so £417.

Please your vies on the letter are most welcome.


Dear Mr R

Thank you for your letter dated 03 May 2007 with regard to the default charges applied to your account. I have now completed my investigation into the matters raised and have summarised my findings below.

Default charges are charges payable if customers do not make the required minimum payment by the payment due date, if they exceed their credit limit, or if, payment is not made on time, or is returned unpaid. The amount of these charges, and the circumstances in which they are applied, is set out clearly in HFC Bank’s credit agreements. We believe that HFC Bank’s charges to customers are fair and reasonable.

In April last year the OFT published the findings from this enquiry into default charges payable in respect of credit card accounts. HFC Bank has carefully considered the OFT’s publication but does not accept the principal that its findings apply to your type of account. Accordingly, I regret that we are not prepared to make any refund of the default charges payable or provide any compensation.

Thank you for taking the time to contact me to bring this matter ti my attention, I am only sorry it was necessary for you to do so. Whilst I realise that this was not the response you were hoping to receive, I at least hope that my explanation had clarified matters. However, should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01344 892327 or write to me at the above address.

Jodi Lewis
Complaints Officer.

Stephen_Leak

What a good reply - especially from the bank's point of view. However ...

The banks opinion of their charges and the OFT ruling is hardly surprising. Only a bank could not accept the OFT ruling, yet use it as a reason to refuse your claim.

The fact remains that their charges, even the reduced ones since the OFT ruling, are still "extravagantly" higher than their costs, and therefore unlawful. Therefore, the T&Cs referring to them are unlawful, and therefore unenforcable. Even if they try to wriggle out of this by calling them service fees, these must still be reasonable, ie. not higher than their costs.

An equally polite but firm reply would seem to be the order of the day, threatening the start of court proceedings based on the above, either if no reply is received within 14 days, or upon receipt of a further unacceptable reply.

FEDUP_3-2

Does anyone have an address for HFC Bank for their current accounts.

I seem to remember an address on the cheque book being something like North Street, Winkfield but my memory is not that good.

Any help appreciated

Thank You

Stephen_Leak

Their registered address is ...

HFC BANK LIMITED
120 EDMUND STREET,
BIRMINGHAM
B3 2Q2

I can't find anything for "HFC, North Street, Winkfield" on either yell.com or bt.com.

Scottrobson

I will use Martins next letter to send off and see what there reply is. Here is a copy of it.



Dear Sir or Madam,

Re. Account number: HFC Account Number ********
I refer to default charges applied to my account amounting to £417.84, which I have requested you pay back.
I wrote to you on 03 May 2007, making the original request for a payment in settlement of my claim. As I have not received a satisfactory response, I am writing to inform you I intend to claim the full amount claimed together with interest up to the date of judgment and court fees in the proceedings through the county court.
This is based on the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations, as I believe these default charges are unfair and not proportionate to your costs, and therefore the court will rule in my favour.
I have attached a full schedule of the charges and interest with this document. [INCLUDE THE PRINT OUT OF CHARGES FROM THE CALCULATOR AND BE SURE TO KEEP A COPY FOR YOURSELF]

I look forward to a full response to this letter within 14 days, otherwise I will commence court proceedings to reclaim my money.

Yours faithfully,

Scottrobson

The Address is;

HFC Bank Limited
North Street Winkfield
Windsor Bershire SL4 4TD
Telephone Number 01344 890000
Fax 01344 890014

Keep me posted on your claim, i've just sent my letter saying i will take to court if no settlement within 14 days.

stiletto_2

I am at present negotiating with HFC Bank.The charges and interest they have applied to my account over 6 yrs is £7546,this is £4144 charges and £3402 in interest which they applied on top of charges.I have had letter from them saying they will offer £3402 but state in their letter "Please be aware we will not be refunding the interest that has occured as a result of these charges"
Does anyone know if i can continue to demand their interest charges please?
Thanks
Stiletto

Edinburghlass_2

Unless you can prove the interest was purely down to bank charges and not normal overspending then you will have difficulty getting the bank to pay the interest.