BankSmart asking for

melanieph

I have been with Bank smart for a number of years and have received about £70 throughout this time. Due to financial circumstances I needed to collate my finances and join an IVA company to help me consolidate my debt.

After a year of being with the IVA company I received a call from them to say I could only be with their PPI company therefore whatever money I had coming back to me would be paid off my debt and that I should cancel with bank smart.

I followed instructions and informed bank smart and told them my situation. I then started to receive letters for charges from bank smart. I got in touch with BS and they told me I would be charged at the time about £2000. I got back in touch with IVA company and told them what BS had said to me and they agreed I should stay with BS. I Email BS many time regarding this issue I was then issued with a summary and break down of what I was needing to pay. bills for sending me out the same letter many times.

I tried to speak with someone but could not get through to talk with anyone from BS. I then asked for help from the citizens advice although BS did not acknowledge there response. I was advised to get in touch with the ombudsman.

What are my next steps. I would rather appreciate advice

ty

magpiecottage

Who is the IVA company - and who is the company they said you had to go with?

-taff

And post on the debt free wannabe board for more help too.

melanieph

I was told to go with McCambridge and Duffy and I was told to go with their own PPI Company. When they found out that had made all them charges I should stay with them

Not sure what my next steps are

-taff

Magpiecottage, what's the next step if the OP males a complaint to Banksmart as per
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/70540780#Comment_70540780
and isn't satisifed?

[Deleted User]

-taff wrote: »

what's the next step if the OP males a complaint to Banksmart as per
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/70540780#Comment_70540780
and isn't satisifed?

The Legal Ombudsman will accept a referral of the complaint once a full and final response has been received or more than eight weeks have passed.

Legal_Ombudsman wrote: »

Filing a formal complaint is the best way to approach this. If you do not get a satisfactory response, or no response within eight weeks then you can bring your complaint to us.

melanieph

melanieph wrote: »

I was told to go with McCambridge and Duffy and I was told to go with their own PPI Company. When they found out that had made all them charges I should stay with them

Not sure what my next steps are

IVA is McCambirdge and Duffy

[Deleted User]

melanieph wrote: »

IVA is McCambirdge and Duffy

As above, complain and then, after eight weeks, refer to the Ombudsman.

melanieph

Here is the latest. I have until Wednesday to let ombudsman know. Is it worth agreeing with banksmart or take further?

We have now heard back from Bank-Smart who have confirmed the following:

- In cases where you have not received a settlement/ resolution from your bank/lender, Bank-Smart can re-open these cases and send you replacement documents which you must complete.

- Where your bank/ lender's have confirmed a resolution with you directly, you will need to provide Bank-Smart with a copy of these resolution letters before they are able to look into the matter in more detail. Where your bank/lender's have offered a resolution, Bank-Smart has invoiced you for this. If you would like these invoices to be cancelled then you will have to provide them with the resolution letters you have received.

To confirm, your invoice of £3,500 can only be cancelled if you provide Bank-Smart with the replacement documents they require and copies of all the resolution letters you have received directly from your banks/ lenders. Please note that if any of your claims have been successful, Bank-Smart can charge you their success fee.

If you agree with the above then we will inform Bank-Smart to provide you with a list of information they require together with the replacement documents. Your case will then remain closed with us.

If however you are still unsure and you would like an Investigator to review your complaint, please let us know and we will look to accept your complaint for investigation.

magpiecottage

Sorry not to have come back sooner.

Much as I dislike Bank Smart, I think on this occasion it sounds like the IVA company incorrectly told you to cancel the contract you had signed up to with Bank Smart and then to reinstate it.

On that basis, I think you need to do so.

However, Bank Smart should then cancel the invoice - even if they are subsequently unsuccessful in pursuing a complaint.

melanieph

I think so too.

I cant think of any other alternative:/