Should I pay money for claiming compensation on missold endowment

Bopperboab

I was contacted by a company called Barrington Brown stating that I could be eligible for missold endowment compensation. I was told that I did need to pay an £80 administration fee which I did pay as it was stated in writing that this would be fully refunded to me win or lose. The company have been updating me with my case in writing and over the phone. They contacted me today to say that the case is now going to court and that I need to pay part of the litigation fee of £250 which will be refunded to me. I have asked for this in writing and stated that I do not have the money at the moment and they are going to contact me at the end of the month. This is a lot of money and I wanted to seek advise before parting with it. I do believe I have a case but need to find out if this is the right way to go about it.

Perelandra

I don't know about this specific company, but their methods sound like a common scam process (ask for a small amount, then increase it in steps as people start believing they're getting closer to a 'win'//have already invested a lot so don't want to stop).

There was a poster who'd paid a similar £80 to you to BB in this thread, with some comments from other posters:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4806701

opinions4u

Don't pay a penny. Likely outcome, you hand over money. They bank it. Things drag on. They go in to administration. You don't get a penny back.

Tell us what you think your case is. You might identify what hurdles there are for free that way.

TrickyDicky101

You don't need to go to court for endowment compensation (although most endowment claims are timebarred now).

You are being scammed. Do not give them any more money.

dunstonh

The company have been updating me with my case in writing and over the phone. They contacted me today to say that the case is now going to court and that I need to pay part of the litigation fee of £250 which will be refunded to me.

Let me explain the very common scam that occurs with dodgy claims companies and you can decide if you have been scammed or not...

Firstly, you get a cold call on a subject saying you may entitled to some money. They say they have a small upfront fee but give you examples of large pay offs you can get. So, you pay the up front fee. Then nothing happens for some months. You get no letters from the endowment provider acknowledging your complaint and no rejection letter from the endowment provider rejecting your complaint. However, you are then told by the claims company that they need to involve solicitors for legal action and that it will now cost a further amount.

The problem is that solicitors cannot take on cases from cold calls and endowment complaints are not typically handled via the courts. Partly as the courts have found very few cases in favour of the consumer (the onus is on you to prove a wrongdoing in law. Most cannnot) and secondly most endowment sales can be time barred against legal action as they were taken out over 15 years ago (the last advised endowment provider ceased in 2003 - 11 years ago).

I do believe I have a case

So, why didnt you use the free of charge complaints process when you are notified by the endowment provider of the possibility of shortfall?

dunover?

I have unfortunately paid out over £300 to Barrington Brown. Is there anyway I can claim this amount back?

Caz3121

dunover? wrote: »

I have unfortunately paid out over £300 to Barrington Brown. Is there anyway I can claim this amount back?

What are the terms and conditions you agreed to. Does it cover refunds?

fortunate999

cold called by company called emcas, still not sure of them. they say can reclaim all sorts back for me no money up front asked for but 35% + vat is as an end of claim fee if they are succesfull:mad:

maninthestreet

fortunate999 wrote: »

cold called by company called emcas, still not sure of them. they say can reclaim all sorts back for me no money up front asked for but 35% + vat is as an end of claim fee if they are succesfull:mad:

emcas? That's an anagram of e-scam!!

dunstonh

fortunate999 wrote: »

cold called by company called emcas, still not sure of them. they say can reclaim all sorts back for me no money up front asked for but 35% + vat is as an end of claim fee if they are succesfull:mad:

Just wait until they tell you the upfront fee. There is plenty on the internet (and other posts on this site) which tell you the true nature of this company. However, the anagram above does seem to fit nicely.

amnblog

dunover? wrote: »

I have unfortunately paid out over £300 to Barrington Brown. Is there anyway I can claim this amount back?

Your forum name says it all I'm afraid.