Reclaim Unfair Bank Charges article discussion Part II

RedRose1_2

I need some advice please.

My hubby and I wrote to NatWest in March 2008 to try and reclaim his bank charges (£1785.00). We received a letter back saying it was on hold due to the test case.
We wrote again in June this year (using template letters from here) and asked for the interest to be paid also as we are in financial hardship, they wrote back and sent us a form to fill in. We did this and returned it the next day along with copies of bank statements and bills etc. We asked for a response back from them within 7 days (which would have been Tuesday) and have not heard anything from them.
Also, last week, they added more charges of £70.00 to this account!!!

I have written again yesterday saying unless we receive a written response from them within in 7 days (of yesterdays letter) we will contact the Finanical Ombudsman. Was I right to do this?
My hubby and I are getting really desperate for money and are having to borrow from our families to try and keep afloat!

Please can anyone offer their insight?

natweststaffmember

answered redrose on other thread.

dave_dog

paul1e wrote: »

Hi all,

Update on my claim, got statements online and worked out charges to £3368 sent first letter claiming this plus interest on 05/03/07, recieved usual letter from Mr Langdale, dealing etc etc on 16/03/07, made a couple of phone calls but didn't follow up due to lack of finances and did not want to threaten court and not be able to follow it through, when finally in a position to carry on it was about 7 weeks after first letter, looking at a lot of hsbc threads it seem that people were filing online then getting offers after about 8 weeks, so thought would leave it for the 8 weeks, Hsbc stated that they started investigation into complaint on 12/03/07.. made phone call on 08/05/07 ready to carry on and was told that a offer letter had been sent that day, recieved letter dated 08/05/07 on 10/05/07 offering £2830.93. Phoned leeds on 14/05/07 to be told that it could not be discussed over the phone and i had to sent a refusal letter in and it would be reviewed. not happy with this phoned again about an hour later and different person told me that they would put me on the ringback list but it would take up to 48 hrs. Phone this morning and was told that I was on the ringback list but it was only put on it on 15/5/07 so expect a call tomorrow... 20 mins later recieved call from hsbc to discuss claim, told him i was not happy with offer and that the £85 of charges that they said I had been paid back I had not, he rechecked it for me there and then and apologised and said they had made a mistake, then offered me £3000, asked for £3300 and he said he could go no higher then £3000 as they will not pay out more then 90% of a claim, I said come on this is a negotiation and said i would be happy to settle at £3150, he said i bet you would, then said ok and he will get the offer out in the post today and expect to recieve it in 2 or 3 days.... I make that about 94%

Seems HSBC are making a offer after 8 weeks, but if it goes to the court stage then they get their hard heads on and see it through for as long as they can.....

Will post on the success thread when monies safely in my account....

Im confused with all this.

Ive totalled up what Barclays owe me for charges on 3 business accounts and one personal account over the past 5 years.It comes to 3765 pounds...

Do i understand correctly that if i make a claim they will make me an offer?

Thankyou

Natalie6999

I applied under the hardship rules for the return of my bank charges two years ago & was turned down as Yorkshre bank did not consider me to be in hardship.

My husband is severely disabled, I am disabled, only able to work part time & we have a child.

We are getting increasingly desperate for this money as they owe us over £2000 & our bills are going up all the time, could FOS help usm even though it is over six months since we got a final decision?

natweststaffmember

Natalie6999 wrote: »

I applied under the hardship rules for the return of my bank charges two years ago & was turned down as Yorkshre bank did not consider me to be in hardship.

My husband is severely disabled, I am disabled, only able to work part time & we have a child.

We are getting increasingly desperate for this money as they owe us over £2000 & our bills are going up all the time, could FOS help usm even though it is over six months since we got a final decision?

You can go bank to the bank concerned. Do you still bank with Yorkshire bank?
Do you have priority debt arrears(mortgage/rent, council tax, utilities)?
Are any of the arrears being paid off?

natweststaffmember

dave_dog wrote: »

Im confused with all this.

Ive totalled up what Barclays owe me for charges on 3 business accounts and one personal account over the past 5 years.It comes to 3765 pounds...

Do i understand correctly that if i make a claim they will make me an offer?

Thankyou

From all the dates that are on the quoted post that was prior to July 2007 and the announcement of the OFT test case. All claims are on hold but you would need to separate business and personal accounts. Personal accounts are on hold and business ones are not. Barclays have succeeded in getting business account claims thrown out and costs awarded against the claimants so be careful with them.

Natalie6999

natweststaffmember wrote: »

You can go bank to the bank concerned. Do you still bank with Yorkshire bank?
Do you have priority debt arrears(mortgage/rent, council tax, utilities)?
Are any of the arrears being paid off?

I am paying all of these things first each month, we owe over £300 on our gas & electric but this is being balanced out over the year by doubling the amount we pay each month, I am still getting hammered for bank charges & can see the day approaching when we won't be able to pay our way any more.

natweststaffmember

Natalie6999 wrote: »

I am paying all of these things first each month, we owe over £300 on our gas & electric but this is being balanced out over the year by doubling the amount we pay each month, I am still getting hammered for bank charges & can see the day approaching when we won't be able to pay our way any more.

you need to write to the bank again and ask that they look at your account again via the hardship route.
Include an income and expenditure form and any arrears notices.
I can see them saying no because you are paying back arrears which would suggest there is disposable income at the moment but ask them the question cos it's a 50/50 answer, either Yes or No.

SILLYMOO

Hi, i lived in Southern Ireland for 13 years and was wondering if anyone knows if i can claim back bank charges from there??

natweststaffmember

SILLYMOO wrote: »

Hi, i lived in Southern Ireland for 13 years and was wondering if anyone knows if i can claim back bank charges from there??

I have to say, I have no idea but worth researching local laws and banking regulations.