City Financial - Northern Financial

malika121

hey guys,

Im not sure where to start, but I am willing to admit that I totally messed up when applying online for a loan.

I was called by City Financial (amongst others) after applying for a loan on moneymill.co.uk, after a long chat with my advisor James (they're all James I'm sure) he told me I had been approved for a loan, and outlined all the specifics for me. I confirmed with him that I had been accepted and approved subject to no conditions. He assured me this was the case and the funds would be ready to go in to my account within 3 - 5 days of them receiving the terms and conditions back, and after paying the £79 admin fee. Yes I am aware I gave away £79 when applying for a loan (lesson learnt!). I received my TC's from a gmail address, this really should have been a red flag for me, but I was so happy to have been approved for a loan I probably would have signed anything at that point just to have the funds available.

Fast forward 7 working days later and no call from any one legit, I did have another 100 calls and text messages from other loan companies offering me all sorts, but I was told that the loan company would say they're calling on behalf of city financial so to ignore all the others.
When I realised no one was going to call me, I called customer services. What an absolute joke! I tried for 2 days continuously, about 45 calls a day, and all I spoke to was a ringtone. When someone did eventually answer, they answered 'Customer Services, What?' This was another red flag and one I took notice of! I questioned why I hadn't been called yet and to ask what my loan companies name was (this is after re reading the TC's and realising they were a broker, not a lender, something they never bothered to tell me.) I was told due to data protection bla bla that they were unable to tell me, she assured me she would contact the lender and ask them to contact me within the next day.

3 working days later, nothing. I called back, eventually spoke to some horrendous woman called Gemma, who told me that I had actually been declined a loan with the lender, I automatically launched in to the conversion I had with 'James', mentioning to her that he assured me a loan had been approved. Her response? To simply hang up on me.

I've now come to realise that they don't mention to anyone they are a loan broker, they take your £79 fee, say the money is ready and waiting after you've signed the TC's, as soon as they have that, then nothing. They've pretty much given all my details to anyone out there, so I am now constantly fighting unwanted calls, post and text. Yes, I do realise I was naive in doing all this, and that paying that £79 fee was a massive mistake. For those about to tell me how I was stupid, there's no point as I realise my mistakes, albeit a little too late. It is truly horrendous these companies can pray on people a who are going through vulnerable financial issues.

I have been in contact with the financial ombudsman who's mentioned there are a few notes of complaints under the company name, but not enough for them to do anything about. I guess I am here to hear from someone else about their story with City Financial/Northern Financial. I have also opened up an investigation with Action Against Fraud, who have opened up a crime reference number. I recorded all my calls with this horrendous loan company, and have it confirmed that 'James' pretty much guaranteed me a loan before he took my money, this was an outright lie and one I will not let go!

I am compiling a dossier of evidence against these guys, it can't go on much longer, I am aware even if this office closes another one will open, but if it saves one young vulnerable person from getting in to the same mess as me then it is totally worth it.

I have since, in writing, written a letter of cancellation to City Financial/whatever they're called, I can't imagine I will actually hear from them, but if not, I will be making a trip to their offices the week after next to confront them face to face with a camera.

All in all, I should have trusted my gut and what the internet was saying, I found no positive reviews for city financial, but still went ahead with it because I BELIEVED it would happen for me and I was so desperate to get out of the whole i was in.

Luckily I am now in a position where I do not need a loan, I was able to sort myself out with no help from dodgy loan companies, there is always another way guys, stay away from City Financial! If anyone has any toughest on all this, or have your own story, please post.

Thanks

M