Have the banks got 8 weeks to reply?!!!

Harrywoo

Hello!

I wrote to HSBC to claim back my charges too in March.. then received a letter back from them asking for statements detailing the charges which i sent back and have heard nothing since! I went into the branch and was told they can't discuss bank charges :mad: ... So i am now going to send the next letter which i found on this website and give them 14 days or i will take them to court!

Stephen_Leak

Yes, as nearly 30 is more than 14, send them the second letter. However, if you want to wait another 10 days, be my guest! Giving them just 7 days was - how can I put this diplomatically? - a bit over-optimistic!

Use the letter templates in Martin's article on the main website. I'd just send it to the head office address - these days, the branches have no authority to deal with things like this any more.

Unfortunately, your chances of getting all your charges back in response to a strongly worded letter are as slim as a size zero model. The first two letters are just to show that you have tried to settle the matter before you escalated it to the courts or the Financial Ombudsman.

scatter_2

got a letter off the bank saying they would not pay me my bank charges back so ive sent them a letter threatening court action thanks for your reply

justlaugh2

For both of you:

You have to stick to YOUR timescale!

ie:
2 weeks after sending your 1st Letter send them the LBA giving them 1 week ( or 2 if you are not in a hurry) If after this time you havent recieved a satisfactory response File you claim online or at your local county court.

If you wait for the bank to get around to investigating your claim you could be in for a long wait!

GOOD LUCK

urshiem

I wrote asking for my money back 3 weeks ago, after 1 week I received a letter of acknowledgement. Can anyone advise how long I wait before I contact them again?

Thanks.

adelene

Thank you Stephen - that's a great help.
Adelene

Stephen_Leak

The letters saying that they are investigating and have 40 days to respond are little more than acknowledgements of receipt and attempts to make you give up and go away. The 40 days timescale only applies if you are going to escalate the claim to the Financial Ombudsman.

If you have not received a full reply by 14 days from the date of your first letter, send them the second “Letter Before Action” letter, giving them either another 26 days to respond or else you will refer your claim to the Financial Ombudsman or another 14 days to respond or else you will start court proceedings. If you have not received a full reply by your deadline, then refer your claim to the Financial Ombudsman or start court proceedings on Money Claim Online.

Please read the Reclaim Bank Charges Help thread.

urshiem

Thanks very much Stephen.

badgerboots

I put in my letter asking for my bank charges to be repaid within 2 weeks using the template on this site.

My bank have now sent me a presumably standard letter saying they will investigate and reply between 4 - 8 weeks. I am assuming that I will then get a letter back telling me the charges are all legit blah blah blah please go away.

1. Will it go against me ( later at court) if I push on with my claim and not allow the bank the time they want to "investigate" ?

I said 2 weeks and I think that is long enough to "investigate".

2. In the next letter, should I say words to the effect that 'I hope this can be settled without my having to take legal action and that should this be the case, I will be seeking costs' ?

I am only claiming £400, it will cost them that much to hire a solictor for the morning!

Edinburghlass_2

Follow your timescale as laid out in Martin's step by step guide and send the next letter saying you will take them to court and give a further 14 days.

Check the relevant thread for your bank, you'll find them all linked in the Reclaim Help Thread, as to how your bank deals with cases after the court (LBA) letter has been sent as some banks will send out a full offer if given a bit more time. Others of course will take it right to the wire.