Reclaim Unfair Bank Charges Discussion Area

Scotties_Mum

Norwich and Peterborough.

I sent off letter requesting charges on 15/3/07. By the 22/3/07, I had a credit of £200 into my account for 'A/C charge adjustment, and a letter defending their charges, and one off goodwill payment.

I sent off 7 day letter to them on 22/3/07 saying thank you for the £200 but still pursuing to court if no satisfactory response regarding all the charges. (approx £1,900).

I have today received a letter from them offering me 50% of the amount claimed as full and final offer, and saying they will be closing my account in 30 days time.

Although they have been really good in replying promptly to this, (lloyds and Abbey, I have heard nothing from in the same timescale), am I right in thinking I should pursue this to court?? If so, what should be my next step, a phone call to see if can sort out?, or file court claim??

I really want to get this resolved as soon as, 3rd baby due 12/4/07!!!

bigmac3112

I am starting to panic a little. I have just received notification that my case is being transferred to my local court as First Direct have filed a defence. My claim is for two accounts totalling £4089. They offered me £1700 before I started court action which I ignored as I felt it was not enough. The defence they have lodged Is based around a load of legal speak denying the charges are unfair and referring to the fact that in their opinion the UTCCRs are not applicable to their charges. What the hell do I do now ????

Do I need to engage a solicitor ??

I was not expecting to ever have to set foot in court and I am unprepared to take on a banks solicitor. Any ideas or advice.

sjm.m

CAN ANYONE HELP ME I HAVE A LOAN WITH RBS IAM ALSO IN ALOT OF DEBT WITH THEM AND OTHERS MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE CHARGES THEY TOOK OFF ME. THE AMOUNT THEY OWE ME IS £2662.00 WHAT THEY HAVE ROBBED ME IN BANK CHARGES. CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK WITHOUT GOING TO THE RBS ACCOUNT AND TO GO INTO NEW BANK ACCOUNT OR CHEQUE??? IVE NOT USED THE RBS ACCOUNT SINCE 2005. PLEASE HELP ME ANYONE!!!:mad:

Mama_2

j66hob wrote: »

Hi I also sent the first template letter to the Halifax and got a reply today on the 40th day exactly saying my list of transactions will be sent out and if i have not received by the next 21 days I have to contact them .I think they are just stalling everyone JH

I waited 21 days over the 40 for halifax to send my statements, in the end i called them on 08457 253519 and got a list through in 2 days......then again the following Day!!


Mama

TheOne

I sent my letter asking for charges to be refunded to my local branch where my account is based. Addressed it to The Manager.
I have just now read about addresses of banks head offices where to send letters. Does it matter that I sent it to the local branch? Should I send future correspondence (and if required the court thingy) to the branch again or their head office?

AshleyG_2

TheOne wrote: »

I sent my letter asking for charges to be refunded to my local branch where my account is based. Addressed it to The Manager.
I have just now read about addresses of banks head offices where to send letters. Does it matter that I sent it to the local branch? Should I send future correspondence (and if required the court thingy) to the branch again or their head office?

Where did you find that THEONE ?? I have a similar challenge myself regaring Lloyds tsb. I have THREE acounts, but I dont know whether to issue a claim just against the local branches, OR, as a "collective business, (Lloyds), and go for the jugular at head office. Mine has gone now to the court stage. They owe me more than £2500, so I am going at it with a vengeance!!

Twinkly

kiya22 wrote: »

Hi there. I am about to start proceedings against HSBC. Ive set up a second account 'just in case'. Anyone had much sucess with HSBC? Also silly question but does anybody know - is it their headquarters in Canada Square,London i have to send the letter to in general or a particular division? Any help would be great?!!!!

Here is my analysis of 113 cases against HSBC from the success thread. There are so many with this bank that frankly I gave up counting to date. The information garnered up to a point told me pretty much all I needed to know. Which was :

7 were settled for more than the claimed amount, no mention of court in these cases and I assume interest was given before court.

32 cases were settled in full without the need for court and some after the first letter only.

72 cases settled for less than the amount claimed but for not much less than claimed, presumably without interest.

Of 4 court cases noted:

2 were settled in full by the bank, they did not defend and default judgement was awarded after 14 days.

1 settled in full after court claim filed.

1 settled for less after court claim filed and it was accepted by the claimant.

I dont know the address to write to but you will find addresses for the banks in the reclaim Bank Charges Help Thread a few below this one on the main page of the forum.

Good luck

Twinkly

Scotties_Mum wrote: »

Norwich and Peterborough.

I sent off letter requesting charges on 15/3/07. By the 22/3/07, I had a credit of £200 into my account for 'A/C charge adjustment, and a letter defending their charges, and one off goodwill payment.

I sent off 7 day letter to them on 22/3/07 saying thank you for the £200 but still pursuing to court if no satisfactory response regarding all the charges. (approx £1,900).

I have today received a letter from them offering me 50% of the amount claimed as full and final offer, and saying they will be closing my account in 30 days time.

Although they have been really good in replying promptly to this, (lloyds and Abbey, I have heard nothing from in the same timescale), am I right in thinking I should pursue this to court?? If so, what should be my next step, a phone call to see if can sort out?, or file court claim??

I really want to get this resolved as soon as, 3rd baby due 12/4/07!!!

It may be worth a phonecall and initially state you are pregnant and due in a few weeks (congrats by the way ) and so wish to avoid a court case if possible. I would play on that perhaps they will be a bit nicer to you

Think first what you will settle for and give them that figure, they may be willing to haggle a bit. If they dont come up with a satisfactory offer then you file a court claim. As I advised to someone going on holiday earlier, court action is entirely under your control as to when it is initiated. The banks may close your complaint and the account but you can reclaim at any time in the next 6 years remember. The OFT report will not change that right andnot going as far as court at this time will not prejudice a future complaint. Do Not sign anything to say the complaint is settled if you dont accept anything. You can leave any court action until after your child is born and you are feeling up to it.

Alternatively, you can accept a settlement in part payment of your full claim and do not sign anything to say you will not claim again. Restart the claim when you feel up to a court case. It isnt hard but requires some time which you may not feel up to, new babies steal your sleep !

In the meantime and regardless of the banks you can always complain to the Financial Ombudsman about the closure of the account and may be eligible for £200 compensation as it is a retaliatory measure against reclaiming bank charges. I would get that complaint off now to them. The FO may be able to stop it happening or get you compensation.

Whatever you decide to do best of luck to you and try not to stress about it. The bank is more worried than you believe me. Relax as much as you can about it and take the next few weeks easy

TheOne

AshleyG wrote: »

Where did you find that THEONE ?? I have a similar challenge myself regaring Lloyds tsb. I have THREE acounts, but I dont know whether to issue a claim just against the local branches, OR, as a "collective business, (Lloyds), and go for the jugular at head office. Mine has gone now to the court stage. They owe me more than £2500, so I am going at it with a vengeance!!

Reclaim Bank CHarges Help Thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=400981

Twinkly

bigmac3112 wrote: »

I am starting to panic a little. I have just received notification that my case is being transferred to my local court as First Direct have filed a defence. My claim is for two accounts totalling £4089. They offered me £1700 before I started court action which I ignored as I felt it was not enough. The defence they have lodged Is based around a load of legal speak denying the charges are unfair and referring to the fact that in their opinion the UTCCRs are not applicable to their charges. What the hell do I do now ????

Do I need to engage a solicitor ??

I was not expecting to ever have to set foot in court and I am unprepared to take on a banks solicitor. Any ideas or advice.

You may feel better taking on a solicitor but it isnt necessary. No bank has ever set foot in a court and this is designed to scare you into settling. It is likely they will still make some offer before the court date. If you do end up in court look here for what actually happens inside on the day it may settle your mind :

Top thanks to OP showmethemoney! for her post.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=393532

Quite simply the charges are unlawful and the UTTCRS DO apply to them. Any questions you have about their defence post in the forum for analysis. Remember there will be someone who has been there and done it or can analyse the terms and give you an idea how to counter them.

Try not to worry and good luck