Halifax charges

vivienneh_2

Hi all. I've just called Halifax to try to get some bank charges refunded as I'm having a real hard time financially. I was told it was not possible as I had some charges refunded in 2008! According to them they can only refund charges once per the life of an account. Any ideas? thanks.

dunstonh

According to them they can only refund charges once per the life of an account.

A number of the banks have a one time position. Some are more flexible on that. It really depends on how you run your account and the reason for financial hardship.

For example, they will likely be more willing to consider someone who has lost their job and less willing, if at all, to help someone who has just spent their way into hardship with lifestyle. Hardship also has to mean hardship. i.e. being in arrears with priority debts, living below the breadline etc. If you have spending on your statement such as mobile phone or sky tv then you are not in hardship.

JuicyJesus

dunstonh wrote: »

For example, they will likely be more willing to consider someone who has lost their job and less willing, if at all, to help someone who has just spent their way into hardship with lifestyle.

I would take issue with that - banks are required to treat ALL cases of hardship sympathetically and positively, regardless of the root causes.

You are correct though that any excessive discretionary spending would be taken into account. Positive and sympathetic action can include assisting someone with their budgeting and making suggestions for a customer to reduce their outgoings. It can but does not necessarily have to include refunding charges. Indeed if the issue is outgoings exceeding incomings then a charge refund is just going to delay the inevitable.

dunstonh

I would take issue with that - banks are required to treat ALL cases of hardship sympathetically and positively, regardless of the root causes.

Consumer over spending and gambling are typically not considered. More as a reason to reject refunds.

JuicyJesus

dunstonh wrote: »

Consumer over spending and gambling are typically not considered. More as a reason to reject refunds.

They probably wouldn't refund charges in either of the above cases, no, but they would have to show sympathy and positivity towards the customer and attempt to, at the very least, guide their way out of difficulty, through referral to other organisations (e.g. Gamcare/Gambler's Anonymous) if necessary.

It does have to be said that a small number of people - but, I must stress, nowhere near a majority, or even a large number - who claim hardship just want their charges back despite the bank acting in a constructive manner as above to try and solve the root cause of the problem - it's just that that constructive manner didn't include what the customer actually wanted, which is their charges back. Many, many Ombudsman decisions, which are universally rejected, bear this out.

Atidi

vivienneh wrote: »

Hi all. I've just called Halifax to try to get some bank charges refunded as I'm having a real hard time financially. I was told it was not possible as I had some charges refunded in 2008! According to them they can only refund charges once per the life of an account. Any ideas? thanks.

What makes you think anyone should refund you their charges from 5-6 years ago just because you are now having 'a real hard time financially' ?

My idea is that you pop over to the Debt Free Wannabe board and post your SoA on there, and let's see what help you can be offered.

vivienneh_2

Atidi wrote: »

What makes you think anyone should refund you their charges from 5-6 years ago just because you are now having 'a real hard time financially' ?

My idea is that you pop over to the Debt Free Wannabe board and post your SoA on there, and let's see what help you can be offered.

I think you should re-read my post. I'm not asking for any charges from 2008 to be refunded. Just two recent ones. I've recently lost my job and some direct debits have caused these charges as I didnt get to the bank in time. Losing the money on charges has caused my situation to be worse. My bank account has been run fine for a lot of years.

[Deleted User]

vivienneh wrote: »

I'm not asking for any charges from 2008 to be refunded. Just two recent ones.

Since the Banks are not obliged to refund any charges at all, it's not surprising that they are reluctant to do so again after refunding you in the past.
If you are genuinely struggling financially, then lets the Bank know and they'll scrutinise your account to ascertain whether you meet their "hardship" criteria.

A number of options (like freezing interest etc) are available to them in addition to refunding.

You may be fortunate, you may not be.

Forget it now if you currently pay for subscription TV or a gym via your bank account.

Atidi

vivienneh wrote: »

I think you should re-read my post. I'm not asking for any charges from 2008 to be refunded. Just two recent ones. I've recently lost my job and some direct debits have caused these charges as I didnt get to the bank in time. Losing the money on charges has caused my situation to be worse. My bank account has been run fine for a lot of years.

Re-read it, and thank you for the clarification.

Yes banks do usually only offer a refund on request as a goodwill gesture to those who inadvertantly go over their agreed OD limit or have transactions bounced for a 'first offence'

What a bank classifies as a 'first offence' is up to them, and it seems the Halifax takes it as a literal meaning (well as long back as their records are kept presumably)

So my advice still stands.

My idea is that you pop over to the Debt Free Wannabe board and post your SoA on there, and let's see what help you can be offered.