HBOS aka Halifax Bank of Scotland

SEE

Kisscass wrote: »

I've had a current account with Halifax for the past 10 years, and I'd say that on the whole I've had a good record with them, though I've had the occasional minor overdraft problem.

Over the Christmas period I spent more than usual, but thought I was still within my overdraft limit. About a week ago I discovered that I was nearly £100 over my overdraft limit. I didn't contact the bank to discuss it as I was aware that I was already at the maximum overdraft for my account type. I expected to be charged about £30, which was manageable for me. To compound the problem I haven't yet received my pay for December as the payroll guy at my workplace has been away for the last month. I should hopefully receive my pay tomorrow.

This evening I checked my online banking and discovered that the bank intends to charge me a total of £245 for seven separate payments that they had accepted plus a monthly charge of £28. The majority of these charges will be deducted on 18-19 January.

I really can't afford to pay them so much. One of the charges was for my mobile phone insurance, which cost £3.99. The first four items were debit card payments I made before I'd even known that I was overdrawn.

When I first opened my account with the Halifax, they wouldn't authorise payments if the money wasn't in the account. A few years ago I even wrote to them to complain about the fact that they were accepting payments then charging me, but I never received a reply.

If they'd declined those initial debit card charges I would have realised there was a problem earlier and would have made other arrangements (used a credit card, or not bought those items at all). In my opinion, they've contributed to the problem and put a massive burden on my shoulders.

To add salt to the wound, I've realised that they've increased their unauthorised charge to £35 (it was £30 last year).

I plan to call them up tomorrow morning and ask them to cancel these excessive charges; does anyone have any advice for me?

I also plan to formally address the charges from the last 6 years by letter in due course, but I really can't afford to let them take this much money from me at once right now.

Lucky you, I get whacked for £39 even if I go over by £6:eek: And, they don't send you a letter anymore, they send you an email, which effectively costs them ZERO:rolleyes:

Call them up and be firm but polite, if it's the first time you've ever asked they should delete them and give you your money back, or, re-adjust your balance. Good luck:beer:

Kisscass

Hi See,

Thanks for responding. I didn't get paid today so I ended up borrowing some money from my mother and depositing the cash into my account to get me back on track. I asked to see an account manager to ask for help, and was passed on to a Customer Advisor, who was being watched over by a manager. They tried to flog me a loan then agreed to look into the charges.

They called me back half an hour after I'd left the branch, and informed me that they'd cancelled 5 out of the 7 charges. So I'll be charged a total of £98. I'm grateful, but I still plan to proceed with claiming the last six year's worth of charges.

SEE

Kisscass wrote: »

Hi See,

Thanks for responding. I didn't get paid today so I ended up borrowing some money from my mother and depositing the cash into my account to get me back on track. I asked to see an account manager to ask for help, and was passed on to a Customer Advisor, who was being watched over by a manager. They tried to flog me a loan then agreed to look into the charges.

They called me back half an hour after I'd left the branch, and informed me that they'd cancelled 5 out of the 7 charges. So I'll be charged a total of £98. I'm grateful, but I still plan to proceed with claiming the last six year's worth of charges.

Good for you:T We've got to keep pushing them.

HuddsGirl

Hello all,

I am new to this and I have been reading everyones threads and I am looking to do the same as Halifax have smacked me £35x4 and as I am a student (already on a tight budget) I cannot afford this. I have got my templates and I shall be writing to them in the morning.

I have a question, if anyone can answer please.. I have a credit card with Barclays aswell and I have had a few charges on that which I think I can get back BUT I was wondering whether I can get interest charges that I have been receiving (£22 or sometimes more per month) on the Barclays card and the interest charges on my overdraft with Halifax bank.

I have no idea on how banks work and I am really stuck.

HELP!!!!!!!!

paddysimon

Thanks for your reply onefurlongout.

The last paragraph of the letter says:

"Should any of your concerns remain unresolved please let me know what you'd like me to do to put matters right. We are keen to resolve your concerns, if we are unable to do so we'll provide you with details of how you cancontact the Financial Ombudsman Service for help. If I don't hear from you in the next eight weeks I will assume you are happy."

That's dated 25th May

a11waysindebt

Is there "or until you contact me" any where on the letter.

You could still send another letter asking how far your claim has gone, then carry on from there.

paddysimon

a11waysindebt wrote: »

Is there "or until you contact me" any where on the letter.

You could still send another letter asking how far your claim has gone, then carry on from there.

Hi a11waysindebt, thanks for rreplying. No, it doesn't have that phrase or anything similar in it.

a11waysindebt

I'd still give them a ring,they are helpfull on the phone.

holiieboly

TANZARELLI wrote: »

P.S you don't work for a bank do you?

hi ya i oever drawn on my debit card with halifax , i only had 180 they chargeing me nealy 800 on top , they even frozzed my bank card so i couldnt with draw any money out my account , there for i had 2 pay 545 and they still saying i owe 180 , im on benifits , i got a disabled child , surley to god the bank manger can not do this , i think its all roung , i need some good advice on this ,

holiieboly

ps i was al so left with out no money for 3weeks ive had to changed banks , so i can have my benifits paid in to another account ,