A cautionary word for Newbie Claimants

Widowmaker_2

When you read the introduction on this website on reclaiming your Bank Charges, you may think it will be a quick process to get your money back.

This is not necessarily the case.

Give yourself 2-3 months (depending on the Bank)

I started my claim against Abbey (about the worst one!) 2 months ago....I have done everything right, and have recently refused their paltry offer of a refund, and have therefore added another 28 day wait, while they enter their Defence (yeah, right)

So, be aware...this is not a quick task.

I hope I am on the home straight now, but I never really thought it would take quite so much thumb-twiddling as it has!

Good luck

Bamb11

Stall tactics thats all. Hang in there. the trick is to not spend it in your head before we get it. Its money we thought we would never see again. Its worth the wait!!!!

Twinkly

This is how long it may take you. This timescale takes into account the timescales laid out in the templates and the court process. It does not allow for any time you may give the banks to procrastinate.

40 days for the return of Data after initial request
14 days for the first letter reclaiming charges
14 days for letter before action and then you file your court claim
5 days for claim to be filed in court and then
14 days for the bank to acknowledge the claim and notify intention to defend
14 days thereafter to actually defend
Indeterminate time thereafter for court hearing to be set dependant on how busy court is

This process in its entirety may take 101 days & court hearing date to be set but it may be settled before court action due to your agreement to a settlement offer in 54 days.

If you do not need to request details and have full proof of charges as old statements then you may be able to settle after only 14 days from the first letter.

Accordingly, with initial proof and court process entered the maximum time may be 54 days dependant on date of court hearing.

In conclusion:

Max Time: 101+ days (inc request for data)
Min Time: up to 14 days (excl request for data)


They key is to take a relaxed approach and work through the process methodically. Thats not a bad timescale considering the banks have retained monies for six years.

davidn56

I too have been issued with a defence from Abbey. Anymore news?
David

Stephen_Leak

Good advice, but it shouldn't put anybody off claiming back what has been unlawfully taken from them. Nothing worth achieving is ever easy. Mind you, it is also a chilling insight into just what the banks and credit card companies really think about us, their customers, without whom they would be nothing.