help please in worcester, uk

mummymonkey3

i have lokked at the site about charges and for approx 3 yrs myself and my husband have been in financial difficulty. I am sure we are eligable to claim bank charges and credit card charges as my husband tried to set up his own business but it failed. we kept getting charges upon charges and despite talking to bank they did nothing to help. the more charges the more problems we had. my husband is now working and we are trying to get things in order.
i have not dealt with this whole thing because it just seems too overwhelming and for some time i have been trying to deal with depression which caused me to have to take time out from work myself and my pay reduced too.
is there anyone in worcester who has a good grip of this and could spend an hour with me going through it. I could really do with help in getting it all on paper.
thanks

Little_Mo_70

mummymonkey3 wrote: »

i have lokked at the site about charges and for approx 3 yrs myself and my husband have been in financial difficulty. I am sure we are eligable to claim bank charges and credit card charges as my husband tried to set up his own business but it failed. we kept getting charges upon charges and despite talking to bank they did nothing to help. the more charges the more problems we had. my husband is now working and we are trying to get things in order.
i have not dealt with this whole thing because it just seems too overwhelming and for some time i have been trying to deal with depression which caused me to have to take time out from work myself and my pay reduced too.
is there anyone in worcester who has a good grip of this and could spend an hour with me going through it. I could really do with help in getting it all on paper.
thanks

Be careful Mummy, giving all your personal details to a total stranger. Asking for advice from a professional body is fine, as is asking for help from this forum where you don't give personal information out nor do you meet us, but inviting someone to actually meet to help you with your correspondence is a bit dodgy.

Have you studied all the guides on how to D.I.Y. and financial hardship criteria on MSE site. It will basically tell you all you need to know including examples of eligible cases etc.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/
There are template letters which you tailor to suit your circumstances. You need to write your letter first to get all your information (SAR) unless you already know all your charges.
(Don't ask specifically for statements, you might get charged loads. Normally your info. will cost you £10)

For your re-claiming charges letter you need to let them know all the circumstances that led to your hardship - make lots of notes to jog your memory first - (not mentioning anything legal or unfairness of charges), you can, however, say how the charges have had a knock on effect on your difficulties to pay everyday living costs etc) You could also mention your depression as a result (hope that improves for you soon) and the fact that you had to take a reduction of income because of it. You have outlined in your posting the problems, make your letter as detailed as possible elaborating on all those problems and anything else you have left out. Just be honest and say it as it is. Try to keep it concise and to the point.

Send all your letters by recorded delivery and keep copies. Don't bother with phone calls because you can't prove the content of those no matter what they might promise or say.

Expect a refusal initially but it is recommended to reply with a bit more information and letting them know you will have to refer your case to the Financial Ombudsman.
Also if you have approached the bank initially for help and received none then that will usually help your case too.

Be sure you have a strong case, be prepared to prove it, and go for it.

Best of luck:)
Mo x

mummymonkey3

hi, thanks, just find it a bit overwhelming and don't want to get it wrong as it would make a huge difference.

Little_Mo_70

mummymonkey3 wrote: »

hi, thanks, just find it a bit overwhelming and don't want to get it wrong as it would make a huge difference.

Hello Mummy

It can seem a daunting task but you have nothing to lose by trying to reclaim charges. Study the eligibility criteria very carefully and put your case together choosing impact (and truthful) wording. You are appealing to the bank's sympathetic nature and seeking good will. Realistically it's important to have a plan b to fall back on **.
should you be unsuccessful.

Be focused, be positive, use some of the pointers in my previous post and go for it.

The fact that you have approached the bank about your financial difficulties and they have not been helpful would strengthen your chances should you need to go to the Ombudsman if the bank reject your claim.

If it's any consolation I've been battling for over 18 months, have had a couple of successes (which I reported:D) but still have some cases with the FOS who are snowed under unfortunately.
The dark place takes over from time to time but hey, I'm alive, I have a super family, a small income and a roof. I can get about - just about - and things could be a whole lot worse. I won't give up:)

You will come out of that dark place, whatever happens, and even if you end up on a long term dmp** things will work out eventually.

Mo x