Share your stories on PPI Reclaiming claims handlers

Vfoh

renard wrote: »

Visiting my 87-year-old, naive sister yesterday, I was disturbed to discover that she had responded to a cold call from a CMC.

She has signed up for them to deal with the Halifax re. claiming PPI. The 'terms and conditions' gives them 30% of any compensation. If she withdraws, they can claim 'a reasonable fee for work already done'.

They repeatedly call her, saying she is due £3,000, but must send them her husband's death certificate as it was a joint loan. This she cannot find. I anticipate them next asking her to get a duplicate death certificate.

I am horrified that she would end up paying them £300 from each £1,000 she may be awarded.

Please - is there a way she can get out of this, without incurring their 'reasonable fee'? I fear the answer is No.

Don't know if this is a little too late or anything, but is your sisters CMC a "no win no fee?" If so could she not just wait things out? If she does not give the documents needed to make the claim she'll have her complaint rejected by the bank on the basis that she doesn't have enough evidence to support her claim. The letter of authority that she signed for the CMC lasts 6 months so if she waits that period out she will be free from their grips. She can make her complaint again with the bank after that time.

-taff

No she can't, you can only complain once about what you're complaining about. If she waits too, she might have a full and final response form the bank an be outside the 6 months needed to escalate to the FOS.

[Deleted User]

Vfoh wrote: »

. She can make her complaint again with the bank after that time.

Firstly, the Bank will only entertain one complaint-no one can make the same complaint again once a "full and final" response has been issued by the Bank. In addition, if the Bank rejects a complaint, the complainant has six months to refer it to FOS so waiting for the letter of authority to expire will result only in the OP (and the CMC) getting nothing at all.

amersall

If she withdraws, they can claim 'a reasonable fee for work already done'.

Tell her to withdraw, in writing, and ask what the fee would be, tell her to ask for a breakdown of this fee and wait for them to respond.

If you think the fee is disproportionate for, lets face it, sending a letter to the bank, then I would contact the MOJ and make a complaint about this fee, given her age, it is possible that she was duped, they are unscrupulous these companies and some of the tactics they use are despicable.

When the company has responded and your Sister is prepared to pay the fee,( this should be a lot less than the fee plus Vat) she can contact the bank herself, send a copy of the death certificate and let them know that she is no longer
dealing with the company and they are to deal with her now.

Vfoh

Some banks actually invite you to come back to them if you can provide further evidence, so she just needs to hold out on the documents for now right? Also the CMC has 6 months from when the letter of authority is signed, but the customer has 6 months to take the complaint to the FOS if need be, from when the final response letter is received, so she'll actually still have time even after the LOA runs out wouldn't she?

[Deleted User]

Vfoh wrote: »

Some banks actually invite you to come back to them if you can provide further evidence, so she just needs to hold out on the documents for now right? Also the CMC has 6 months from when the letter of authority is signed, but the customer has 6 months to take the complaint to the FOS if need be, from when the final response letter is received, so she'll actually still have time even after the LOA runs out wouldn't she?

This is really poor advice.

Banks often "invite" the complainant to respond to their rejections IF the complainant has any (significant) new evidence not in the original complaint. In reality, these invitations seem to be little more than "lip service" and it's rare for anyone who does reply to succeed in getting the Bank to reconsider.

If your "solution" to the problem of remorse at having to pay a CMC was in any way viable then I think it would have been posted well before now. CMCs would also have acted to close such an obvious "loophole".

The Claims Company will still want their fee even if the case goes to FOS at the end of six months.

foxy1290

I'm using a claims handler, as i thought this was the best way to claim ppi, if id have known about mse before signing the dotted line i wouldnt have bothered. They never keep me updated, i'm the one who emails them all the HSBC who i have the claim with are being totally uncooperative with myself and the claim handlers. I have tried to cancel the services with them but was informed i'd still be invoiced as its a legal binding contract and more than 14 days since i signed, getting so !!!!ed off now, this been going on since end feb, but the complaint was only filed with HSBC on 24th April, so still just over a week to go for the "magic" 8 week deadline.

littlelegs33

I made a claim for ppi using one of these cmc. I only became weary when they requested a copy of my marriage certificate and utility bill. Please be aware that mist of these companys say in small print at the bottom of the letter. They are regulated by the Ministry of Justice in respect of regulated claims. The particular cmc i am dealing with are not. This can be checked on the moj website. They were infact surrended in 2009. I have since contacted the moj and I await a response. They cannot or should not be acting on my behalf and although they are!! Im hoping I may be able to get out of paying any fees.

Kerrymac

Hey there, I've just made a video about my experience with the FSCS...seems I came up against some suspicious obstacles.

This won't let me post my link, but you can see it if you go to my twitter account which is @kezsez - it's at the top there.

[Deleted User]

Kerrymac wrote: »

I've just made a video about my experience with the FSCS..

If you want opinions here then just post the cliff notes, I doubt anyone will be bothered enough to search for your video.
It's very rare to see complaints about FSCS, what exactly were your original concerns and in what way were "suspicious obstacles" put in your way?