Bank Charges Test Case Article discussion

realshannon

Not sure if anyone else has had this problem but we claimed on 2 bank accounts with Halifax. The 1st one was paid in full no problem, the 2nd dealt with by someone different disputed it. Both claims were done exactly the same, used Martin's calculator etc - they paid £700 of a £1200 claim for the 2nd account into our account - we advised that we were still disputing and that we had provided same information etc and why was one paid and not the other blah blah but had to go to court for this one. Then the OFT kicked in one day before the court - so it was stayed. Fine no worries we thought its not life threatening so just have to wait although very annoying - NOW we have received a letter from Halifax saying that unless we accept the £700 which they paid into our account without our acceptance, they will take it back and we can wait until after the OFT test case. This is, to me, very cheeky but in reality will cause us big money problems - any ideas or facts please to help me reply? I know what I want to say but having done so much work want to get it right.:eek:

Gale_10

This is my next step, seriously. Lower rates for borrowers, interest paid on all accounts in credit - I believe there is even a credit union credit card - don't quote me on that though.

Imagine if every person that had claimed against their bank or building society moved to a bank owned by the people for the people! It would send a really powerful message to the high street banks to get their act together, and we would all control our own finances. Fantastic!

Gale

vampiressa

Is your claim still valid if you have changed banks ?:A

catoxley

How about will i get my court costs back after the test case and who will pay them to me if i do?

oracle09

Hi
I stopped using my bank account with Natwest just over a year ago after I opened an student account with another bank however just before I moved all my direct debits to my new account, my mobile phone service provider took one last payment from the Natwest account which made me go overdrawn.

I moved after I stopped using that account so I never received any of the bank's letters until a few weeks ago when a debt collection agency which I am not sure how got hold of my mobile number called me asking for about £400 worth of charges which apparently is the original charge plus a series of monthly charges for not paying the first one. I did not have any overdraft limit and apparently the amount of cash that I left in the account to prevent a situation like this was a few pounds short of the direct debit.

MY QUESTION IS, is the £400 charge legal? The debt collection agency is now threatening to take the case to court (as well as sending someone to my address to collect the money...). What should I do? Should I pay the charges and wait until the test case's outcome is clear to claim them back?

Thanks for your time and I would really appreciate any help.

TANZARELLI

oracle09 wrote: »

Hi
I stopped using my bank account with Natwest just over a year ago after I opened an student account with another bank however just before I moved all my direct debits to my new account, my mobile phone service provider took one last payment from the Natwest account which made me go overdrawn.

I moved after I stopped using that account so I never received any of the bank's letters until a few weeks ago when a debt collection agency which I am not sure how got hold of my mobile number called me asking for about £400 worth of charges which apparently is the original charge plus a series of monthly charges for not paying the first one. I did not have any overdraft limit and apparently the amount of cash that I left in the account to prevent a situation like this was a few pounds short of the direct debit.

MY QUESTION IS, is the £400 charge legal? The debt collection agency is now threatening to take the case to court (as well as sending someone to my address to collect the money...). What should I do? Should I pay the charges and wait until the test case's outcome is clear to claim them back?

Thanks for your time and I would really appreciate any help.

Send the bank an Account In Dispute Letter and copy in the DCA also.

fpegman

can some one tell me if the banks lose their case will they then have to refund all clients the charges they have unlawfully gharged or will all clients have to reclaim them themselves
I have accounts with HSBC and BARCLAYS
Thanks

Radio_01

What would happen if , God forbid, thet say that bank charges are not unlawful , would we have to pay back the money we have recieved.

nickmack

Radio_01 wrote: »

What would happen if , God forbid, thet say that bank charges are not unlawful , would we have to pay back the money we have recieved.

No, you wouldn't have to pay anything back. The money given to customers in respect of charge reclaims were 'gestures of goodwill'.

mycar37

MSE_Wendy wrote: »

This thread is to discuss the

Bank Charges OFT Test Case article

To take part, click reply.

Hi Martin. saw your show again tonight. great stuff. One question - I have not seen the mortgage lenders arrangement fees mentioned in all these discussions about bank charges. Is this included? Why should anyone have to pay an arrangement fee just to get a mortgage. Why can't I just go to a Bank and get a mortgage directly from them? A real rip-off if you ask me.
Thanks.