Nationwide what next?

lilmishap

I am currently waiting on Nationwide to send me list of bank charges going back 6 years. I can only see 2 in my internet banking. The total in JUST those two years is £330 I know that direct debits were not paid because nationwide took up to £60 a time at the time these dd were due(they take it 28 days later, at the exact time the next dd is due), They have just offered me £30.

I suspect that the total over 6 years may be close to £1000, What do I do? How long do the ombudsman take and are they likely to reject my claim and leave me with nothing? Will they refuse to refund even the £30?
I am in receipt of benefits and due to having no internet access for four years I wrongly believed the money dissapearing from my account was Direct Debits being paid.
I only discovered different when bailiffs started turning up. I now have my council tax and water rates taken out of my benefits as the direct debits were missed. Do I approach the ombudsman or cut my losses? Please advice I feel like such a fool

[Deleted User]

You can't claim historical bank charges I'm afraid. Typically, the Bank will only offer a refund of charges from the last six months and, even then, only to those who can show financial hardship. It sounds like the Bank have already refunded some charges.

The banks won the court case about bank Charges in 2009, so you can't go to the Ombudsman with your complaint.

I'm also afraid that you cannot excuse not knowing the details of your bank account simply because you didn't have internet access. In four years you never requested a paper statement or even a mini-statement from the ATM?

dunstonh

How long do the ombudsman take and are they likely to reject my claim and leave me with nothing?

The ombudsman ceased to consider complaints about "unfair" bank charges after the court case.

Will they refuse to refund even the £30?

Whilst it is theoretically possible that nationwide could withdraw the offer, it is unlikely.

I only discovered different when bailiffs started turning up. I now have my council tax and water rates taken out of my benefits as the direct debits were missed. Do I approach the ombudsman or cut my losses? Please advice I feel like such a fool

What exactly are you trying to achieve?

Did you go to Nationwide and complain about unfair bank charges? (automatic rejection)
or did you put a case to them about being in current financial hardship?

If you put a hardship case in, then they will look at it and decide if you are in hardship. Whilst refund recent bank charges (typically 6-12 months) is an option, other options are available to them. Such as suspending bank charges for the x months or putting you a debt management plan etc. The ombudsman has no ability to force the banks to refund anything. All the ombudsman can do is make sure the bank has considered your case fairly.

lilmishap

i refused the £30 as i felt it was unfair, I enclosed proof that the charges(totalling 115 in six months, £330 in 3 years and £960 over the last six) had led to more direct debits being missed leaving me with more charges coming out, Its spiralled to a point where I cant plan anything.
Today I received a message telling me they had reconsidered (within 24hrs of me telling them I would approach the ombudsman as I have tried to arrange a small overdraft to stop the spiral. I have tried to stem this), they have put £60 in my account WITHOUT asking me whether i would accept it.
Does this mean I can no longer approach them or the ombudsman? I feel it was slightly sneaky on their part to 'compensate' me without my agreement to it.
I did approach them when this began and asked for an overdraft of £25 (my largest DD is £22). I was told no. But then they charge me when their charges take me overdrawn.

[Deleted User]

Have you read the responses so far ? You have no access to the Ombudsman over "unfair" charges. Your threat to go to the Ombudsman was, therefore, an idle one. All the Ombudsman can do is ensure that hardship cases are treated fairly, they cannot rule on bank charges.

You don't have to "accept" the refund in order for it to be paid to you, since it's not an offer of compensation but a goodwill gesture which (as already mentioned earlier) the Bank are under no obligation to provide.

The Bank have refused you an increased overdraft because you continually exceed the amount you already have. Only when you have an improved credit rating can you expect to be offered more.

All you can do is write another letter detailing exactly how much financial difficulty you are in. Ask them to review your account.

It would also probably be wise to request the Bank send you statements by post if you have no (or sporadic) internet access.

If the Bank agree you are in financial hardship they may suspend future charges and interest for a period, but they may also suggest that you accept a programme of debt management.


Please read carefully the other responses on this thread before you reply again. Much appreciated.

lilmishap

So Ive lost £960 and theres nothing i can do? Can i even contact them again and ask if they can suspend any charges over the next 3 months? Im gutted. Thank you for the straight talking advice though.

[Deleted User]

You haven't "lost" anything. You've paid legitimate charges for banking services.

Your questions reveal that you still haven't fully read the responses, so I'm afraid I'm going to leave you to it now….