Stung by halifax web saver reward scam. Advice?

helifox

JuicyJesus wrote: »

I love how when banks make certain information clear as crystal but someone doesn't bother to read it and loses out as a result, the reply comes back "well they should have made it clearer!!!!!"

I read the ad - with the big take advantage of 2.8% Click here. message.

...In what way is it crystal clear not to warn of an interest rate Drop, after promoting 2.8% in large type ?

This is relatively clear:
Please note to apply for a Web Saver Reward you have to complete the variable rate Web Saver application form.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you select the no card option within the application form. Choosing a cash card will open a Variable Rate Web Saver with a rate of 0.25% AER
variable.

This is not so clear, especially when the application form is titled Variable rate Web Saver...

Important:Please note that if you are applying for a Halifax Web Saver reward you must select the no card option.

The first one was how the application was after 6th August, the 2nd is how it might have been when we applied in April. I can't know this for sure, because Halifax won't tell me, but this is the version they sent to the ombudsman. It would still have been a lot clearer to have separate forms.

Hominu

BlindLeadingTheBlind wrote: »

Shouldn't the OP have received a confirmation from the bank about what account had been opened?

Shouldn't the OP had confirmed what account had actually been opened before they decided to put 50K in there?

Oh yes, forgot that customers shouldn't have any responsibility over their actions whatsoever and every mistake is the banks fault for not being clear enough.

helifox

Hominu wrote: »

So whats the problem?

You asked for an ATM card and so didn't meet the conditions for the 2.8% account, so were given a variable web saver. You have an ATM card with Web saver on it. Where's the confusion?

the confusion is that the Press release says:
...if the above conditions are not met, the account becomes the Halifax Web Saver variable option (without ATM card).

We got an ATM card. It was because we asked for one that we didn't meet the conditions - therefore according to this, we should not have got one.

Your saying that on the application form that you filled in, 2.8% was mentioned but not 0.25% ?

Or are you saying that the advertising banner advertised 2.8% and then directed you to a application form that didn't show any interest rates whatsoever ?

Big difference.

I am saying the second. The banner promoted 2.8%. I believed it. According to BCOB if the bank change interest rates, they are obliged to inform the customer.

Hominu

pqrdef wrote: »

It's like asking somebody "What's your favourite colour?" without explaining what the consequences will be if he gives the wrong answer. And then saying "Didn't you see the notice?" Not good enough - you need to know that the customer has seen and read and understood the notice.

I disagree, it was more like:

"IMPORTANT: For the reward account, choose 'black' as your colour.

Which colour would you like [o] White [o] Black"

If I wasn't sure why I should have black, then I'd ring up and ask. I wouldn't choose 'white' and assume it was the same.

Hominu

helifox wrote: »

the confusion is that the Press release says:
...if the above conditions are not met, the account becomes the Halifax Web Saver variable option (without ATM card).

We got an ATM card. It was because we asked for one that we didn't meet the conditions - therefore according to this, we should not have got one.

Agreed.

helifox wrote: »

I am saying the second. The banner promoted 2.8%. I believed it. According to BCOB if the bank change interest rates, they are obliged to inform the customer.

I agree, however you never started with a 2.8% account, so there was no need to inform you.

This was a simple misunderstanding on your part. You may have got some good will compensation for the poor wording on the form, but since you have now burnt those bridges, that's unlikely.

Good luck with your court case. I'd put £500 - £1000 aside for court and solicitor fees in case you lose the case, unless you are willing to represent yourself?

Archi_Bald

Hominu wrote: »

I'd put £500 - £1000 aside for court and solicitor fees in case you lose the case, unless you are willing to represent yourself?

That would be nowhere near enough to pay for the Halifax costs that the judge may well assign to the losing party. Their lawyers will cost hundreds of pounds an hour.

helifox

Archi_Bald wrote: »

That would be nowhere near enough to pay for the Halifax costs that the judge may well assign to the losing party. Their lawyers will cost hundreds of pounds an hour.

I have never been in this position before - but , from limited research on the internet I believe that I would make my application to the small claims court, where the expenses maximum is 10% of the figure requested... which is around £1000. Thus if I lose, and have to pay costs, these will top out at £100... I am not sure where your figures are coming from. Please enlighten me.

However, should I win, the judgment will prove that Halifax are in breach of BCOB - and for that, they may be liable to a substantial fine.

helifox

Hominu wrote: »

I disagree, it was more like:

"IMPORTANT: For the reward account, choose 'black' as your colour.

Which colour would you like [o] White [o] Black"

If I wasn't sure why I should have black, then I'd ring up and ask. I wouldn't choose 'white' and assume it was the same.

Well, as I didn't see the colour choices, I thought black was the only colour available. When given the choice of cashcard or no cashcard, the simple, clear way to ensure noone is misled is to put a sign there - to say what the consequences are.

Not a small print message which speaks about what may be a different account anyway, since it is not the one in the title of the form.

When through the summer of 2011, Halifax discovered that some customers were being misled, and admitted that their application could be clearer, a customer-focused business would have checked with the customers who had taken up the account, that they had what they expected. See BCOB.

Archi_Bald

helifox wrote: »

. I am not sure where your figures are coming from. Please enlighten me.

The figures you quote are the court fees that you have to pay for your case being put before a judge.

They have absolutely nothing to do with potential charges that the judge decides upon. It is common practice that a losing party has to pay the costs of the winning party, in addition to any fine etc.

It seems you are about to make another mistake of the same kind that you made with your Halifax savings account - - i.e. only read the headlines, and assume the rest as it suits you, without verifying any of it.

As I have already recommended twice: you would do well if you sought the advice of a good Solicitor before you take further steps. They are professionals who will not only explain to you what your legal rights are in relation to the case in hand, but also what the potential charges and timescales, as well as your obligations, are.

I believe that the MCOL guidelines, to which I posted links in two different posts, also advice you strongly to seek the advice of a Solicitor or the CAB before you open a Court case.

Archi_Bald

helifox wrote: »

When through the summer of 2011, Halifax discovered that some customers were being misled, and admitted that their application could be clearer, a customer-focused business would have checked with the customers who had taken up the account, that they had what they expected. See BCOB.

I find it just amazing that you keep coming up with more and more airy-fairy reasons why Halifax failed at each stage, whereas you yourself are blameless. Despite you having admitted here various times that you "didn't see" the IMPORTANT clause on the application form, that you were "in a hurry", that you asked for the card because your "Mum liked the idea". And you never once seem to have logged into the account to confirm that your Mum's £50K had been transferred properly - - if you had done so, you would have noticed that is said "Interest rate: 0.25%" in clear text at the top of the account. Of course, I might be wrong and you may have logged in but "not seen it" in this case, too.

You clearly expect that you are being let off despite yourself not living up to the standards you expect from others. Not surprised they don't want to talk to you any longer.