reclaiming from old accounts - a few Q's

Shelby_Stu

Hi all, fantastic site which I've been perusing for quite some time now. :T

I'm currently setting the ball rolling with the reclaimation of bank charges from barclays and halifax from my most recent accounts.
However, I have had other accounts prior to these which I'm sure I can also claim back for, though this will be a lower amount.

My first question is:
Without resorting to the data protection act, is there any way I can get details about these accounts as in the account numbers and so on so I can fire off the required letters to see if they're worth bothering with?
Basically I don't want to have to pay under the terms of the DPA to get the details of each account, and then pay again to get the list of charges, if I can avoid it.

My second question.
Quite some time ago I had a finance agreement with HFC for some car related goods I bought. I'm fairly sure I was penalised for late payments etc as I was quite irresponsible back then. I'm sure it was within the 6 year threshold, and was wondering if something like a credit arrangement can also be claimed for?

My final question.
Is there a limit to the amount of cases you can have against the banks? Basically I'm looking to claim for charges relating to 3 or 4 accounts, and 2 credit cards. As I understand it these will all be seperate court cases, despite 2 of the accounts being with Barclays. Would it be beneficial to wait until one claim was out of the way (paid and settled ideally) before starting a second one (regardless of whether it's against the same bank or not)? Or does it make no difference and matter not whether I'm taking action on all accounts simultaneously?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer these questions.

Stu

Twinkly

Shelby_Stu wrote: »

Hi all, fantastic site which I've been perusing for quite some time now. :T

I'm currently setting the ball rolling with the reclaimation of bank charges from barclays and halifax from my most recent accounts.
However, I have had other accounts prior to these which I'm sure I can also claim back for, though this will be a lower amount.

My first question is:
Without resorting to the data protection act, is there any way I can get details about these accounts as in the account numbers and so on so I can fire off the required letters to see if they're worth bothering with?
Basically I don't want to have to pay under the terms of the DPA to get the details of each account, and then pay again to get the list of charges, if I can avoid it. Unless you have statements there is no other method to get the precise detail that you will require for free. You will only pay one fee for the details on your account and you will request the charges details in the Subject Access request letter (the first one). You wont be paying twice over, just once. HSBS have 6 years details on their online systems, Barclays apparently do not charge and return any cheque or payment you send, Halifax apparently charges only £5 so you wont necessarily incur a huge cost initially.

My second question.
Quite some time ago I had a finance agreement with HFC for some car related goods I bought. I'm fairly sure I was penalised for late payments etc as I was quite irresponsible back then. I'm sure it was within the 6 year threshold, and was wondering if something like a credit arrangement can also be claimed for? You can reclaim Late Payment charges from loan accounts under the same basis as bank charges i.e that the charges are excessive to actual costs and breach the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contract regulations. You will need all the details or you will have to make a Subject Access Request for them.

My final question.
Is there a limit to the amount of cases you can have against the banks? Basically I'm looking to claim for charges relating to 3 or 4 accounts, and 2 credit cards. As I understand it these will all be seperate court cases, despite 2 of the accounts being with Barclays. Would it be beneficial to wait until one claim was out of the way (paid and settled ideally) before starting a second one (regardless of whether it's against the same bank or not)? Or does it make no difference and matter not whether I'm taking action on all accounts simultaneously?There is no limit to the amount of claims you can make as all are governed by seperate agreements. With regard to the two accounts with Barclays they will fall under one Subject Access Request letter under the DPA and incur only one charge, if at all. Simply list both account numbers on the one letter. As stated earlier in the post, apparently Barclays do not charge for this service or return any cheques you send. You may wish to only start one ot two claims and stagger them to avoid getting horribly confused and bogged down in paperwork. I have staggered my 4 by doing two per month. Waiting on statements is the biggest delay though and with the information coming in in bits and pieces its ended up messy anyway

Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer these questions.

Stu

Good luck

Shelby_Stu

Thanks for the tips. Sorry in being so late in getting back, working abroad sucks.

Thanks for your help!
Cheers
Stu