Outside help for £34.99? Worth it?

SkintButTrying_2

hi,

I got a cold call today from someone offering help with reclaiming bank charges. He offered help for £34.99 which guarantees all your money back within 6-12 weeks.

Ive already got all my charges back, but would it be worth reccomending this? Are these types of companies a notorious rip off?

i have a friend who is owed 1000's but he's one of these lazy people who put things off, I'm wondering wether i should reccomend him do this as anything that will give him a kick up the bum to do it (or even better, someone else do it for him) is a good idea in my opinion.

any comments appreciated

Lady_E

I wonder how they can guarantee money back within 6-12 weeks when most cases are having stays put on them , once they reach the court stage ?
Is £34.99 a one off payment or do they then want a percentage of the money obtained?
My understanding is that any company offerinfg to reclaim charges has to be registered with one of the financial bodies and authorised to carry out this type of work . My gut reaction to this cold call is run away , but others may have more information than I .

Ps -Could you not help your friend as you have been successful, and it would be very MSE ?

Stokey125

SkintButTrying wrote: »

hi,

I got a cold call today from someone offering help with reclaiming bank charges. He offered help for £34.99 which guarantees all your money back within 6-12 weeks.

Ive already got all my charges back, but would it be worth reccomending this? Are these types of companies a notorious rip off?

i have a friend who is owed 1000's but he's one of these lazy people who put things off, I'm wondering wether i should reccomend him do this as anything that will give him a kick up the bum to do it (or even better, someone else do it for him) is a good idea in my opinion.

any comments appreciated

You should never recommend a service unless you have personally tried them. In this particular case they should be avoided like the plague. The promise is impossible to keep as the test case will not be heard in that time span and the ombudsman will not deal with any case until after then.

SkintButTrying_2

They say you get 100% back, the 34.99 is one off.

Ive been trying to help my friend, encouraging him, telling him exactly what to do and I feel like im hitting my head against a brick wall he's so stubborn!! He's forgetful aswell which doesnt help!

I think i might have to offer my services for £34.99

OR

give him a telling off tonight when i see him, its starting to stress me out and its HIS money!!

SkintButTrying_2

Ok, thanks stokey, one question, are ALL cases being put on hold until the test case is done? because this is what my friend seems to think and thats why he's being complacent about claiming his money

Stokey125

SkintButTrying wrote: »

Ok, thanks stokey, one question, are ALL cases being put on hold until the test case is done? because this is what my friend seems to think and thats why he's being complacent about claiming his money

Certainly as far as I am aware all cases not going through the courts. With the courts it is a bit patchy but more and more are staying cases

SkintButTrying_2

What does staying cases mean? Sorry!

grayclose31

It means you get done over by the system and the case will be held unti such time as the FSA get their finger out and get the test case sorted out. Could be 12 months before anyone knows what is going on.

We all may end up with nothing.

Sorry to sound down but thats what happened to me to the tune of £8.5 k

Stokey125

SkintButTrying wrote: »

What does staying cases mean? Sorry!

When a case is stayed then as Grayclose indicated the hearing of the case is suspended so unless during this period the parties settle the matter it will not be heard and resolved.

SkintButTrying_2

Oh dear. Well ill encourage him to at least start the process but it sounds like he's probably missed the boat already doesnt it. Cheers guys

k1mmie

Not if credit cards are involved though - so may be he can start by chasing these if he had any!