Need Help, Bank Is Going To Close My Account

bankkiller

I have a big problem

Because of my stupid gym (Fitness First), who kept trying to take direct debit money from my bank account even though I told them I had cancelled, I have now got an unauthorised overdraft of £388, thanks to multiple overdraft charges and fees.

This is with Alliance & leicester. They are a joke and a disgrace.

I received a letter yesterday saying "formal demand for payment",
and that If i didn't pay the amount they will close my account and then notify a credit reference bureau within 28 days.

However I already posted the first complaint letter thanks to the template from this site on the 5th July to Alliance & leicester asking them to refund me all those charges.

I am still waiting to hear from them. What shall i do in the meantme ? Will they close my account ? I put 14 days on the letter to give them a time limit to hear back from them.
I will write the second template letter If i haven't received a response within then.

What are the chances of me getting my money back ?
And what about their threat of closing my account ?

I'm really fed up and !!!!ed off at the bank and the gym for screwing me over.

nickmack

bankkiller wrote: »

What are the chances of me getting my money back ?

Very good if you follow the guide on here.

And what about their threat of closing my account ?

Tell them the debt is under dispute and you want them to suspend any action as a result of this. Remind them Financial Ombudsman takes a dim view of retaliatory account closure if they threaten this as a result of reclaiming your charges.

Twinkly

bankkiller wrote: »

I have a big problem

Because of my stupid gym (Fitness First), who kept trying to take direct debit money from my bank account even though I told them I had cancelled, I have now got an unauthorised overdraft of £388, thanks to multiple overdraft charges and fees.

This is with Alliance & leicester. They are a joke and a disgrace.

I received a letter yesterday saying "formal demand for payment",
and that If i didn't pay the amount they will close my account and then notify a credit reference bureau within 28 days.

However I already posted the first complaint letter thanks to the template from this site on the 5th July to Alliance & leicester asking them to refund me all those charges.

I am still waiting to hear from them. What shall i do in the meantme ? Will they close my account ? I put 14 days on the letter to give them a time limit to hear back from them.
I will write the second template letter If i haven't received a response within then.

What are the chances of me getting my money back ?
And what about their threat of closing my account ?

I'm really fed up and !!!!ed off at the bank and the gym for screwing me over.

This could actually be pretty simple. You could have a strong case for refund quoting the Direct Debit Guarantee. Please see here:
Direct Debit Guarantee

The direct debit guarantee doesnt cover you specifically for bank charges but if they bank are consistently bouncing direct debits that they are fully aware have been cancelled then they are abusing the account.

You have already gone down the Consumer Regulations route in reclaiming using templates from this site but I would strongly advise you to quote the direct debit guarantee as further proof of their obligation to refund and immediately.

bankkiller

ok thanks, i will inform alliance & leicester that i am disputing the charges and inform them to suspend their threat of closing my account.

they really are a disgrace