Is Bank of Scotland playing fair?

Chelmsford

When trawling through various credit card and loan accounts to determine if I could make a valid PPI claim, I noticed that my BOS card had been debited each month with a 'repayment cover' premium, which I understand was the BOS PPI premium.

Initially, because I was self-employed, I made a claim for mis-sold PPI on the grounds that it would have been of no benefit to me. After some to-ing and fro-ing of correspondence, BOS sent me a copy of the telephone application I made for the credit card. After completion over the 'phone, it was sent to me for signature.

The card application was approved and I thought no more of it until I started investigating possible mis-sold PPI.

On reviewing the copy-application form sent me by BOS, I note that it is: (a) clear I was self-employed at the time of making the application and, thereafter, until the card account was closed, and (b) I never requested PPI (on the form). In other words, the credit care insurance box was left unsigned.

In essence, PPI was never mis-sold because it was never requested but, if it was never requested, on what basis/authority could BOS debit my credit card account each month?

To me, this is more serious than mis-sold PPI, it is a case of taking money without authority. Do I still complete a claim questionnaire with a view to approaching the FOS if I get no joy from the BOS or is this an administration matter that should be handled differently?

Thanks

dunstonh

(a) clear I was self-employed at the time of making the application

Self employment works on PPI plans that do not cover the self employed or have too onerous terms making it near impossible to make a claim on the policy. If BoS's PPI covers the self employed using standard terms then they can reject that point.

Does it cover the self employed?

I never requested PPI (on the form). In other words, the credit care insurance box was left unsigned.

most credit card PPI was sold post application. Typically over the phone on activation or another enquiry. So it is quite common to see nothing on the application.

In essence, PPI was never mis-sold because it was never requested but, if it was never requested, on what basis/authority could BOS debit my credit card account each month?

They dont need your signature. An agreement over the phone would suffice.

To me, this is more serious than mis-sold PPI, it is a case of taking money without authority.

Or it could be that you cant remember how it was sold.

Do I still complete a claim questionnaire with a view to approaching the FOS if I get no joy from the BOS or is this an administration matter that should be handled differently?

Making an allegation of fraud without evidence is a serious thing to do. You need to be confident of yourself to do that. However, if you still decide to go down that route then you would still complain to BoS. No-one else. If you are not confident it is fraud, then maybe tone it down a bit. Perhaps saying that it is not on the application form and you cannot recall being sold it by other means. That is fairly neutral and allows them to investigate without you making a fraud allegation.

-taff

they've already had their complaint rejected by BoS.

Your next step is the FOS.