Use forms Halifax sent me or MSE template?

greedybankers

Hello

(TL;DR: Should I continue with the forms Halifax sent me or instead use MSE's template and Resolver app? Do I need a separate form per account number? Will a lack of information jeopardise my claims?)

I've decided to look into any PPI I may have been mis-sold. I'm not the most financially responsible or savvy person so I genuinely don't remember if I've had PPI with the various financial products I've had over the years and nope, I don't have much paperwork (though I could deep dive the loft, it might turn up something). One of my main banks has been Halifax so I filled out their online PPI form. The only info I was able to provide was previous addresses though they do go back a decade or more.

Halifax sent me two near identical letters (each with the same form to fill). One details three credit card numbers (in **** **** **** XXXX format) for (presumably) the single credit card account I held for many years (now closed). The other identifies four loan account numbers.

I called their PPI line and got the full account numbers for the credit cards and confirmation of the start dates of all the various products. I was told to fill out a single form for the credit card but also a single form for all the loan accounts. Is this right? The form clearly states "All answers you give in this questionnaire must relate to this date when you took out the policy." They're dated 1999, 2001, 2009, 2015 so are almost certainly separate loans.

The Halifax form feels like lots of trick questions. "Why did you decide to take out the PPI policy?" for example. I don't remember if I did and surely if I'm doing a PPI mis-selling claim then the answer is, "I didn't!" Also, compared to the MSE template, there aren't any 'Not sure or Don't know' boxes. Basically, reading through it, I'm left feeling that even if I am due PPI compensation, if I put the wrong answers then I won't get a dime. Not that I plan to lie, I simply don't remember or don't have the information available. The other complication for me is that I've often been self-employed or a company director, but sometimes PAYE. I'm an IT consultant and over the years I've simply followed the best day rate. I have records for the last decade but earlier than that and it's a bit sketchy..

They're also saying it has to be returned within 14 days.

Should I continue with the forms Halifax sent me or instead use MSE's template and Resolver app? Do I need a separate form per account number? Will a lack of information jeopardise my claims?

Thanks in advance for any help!
Jim

dunstonh

Should I continue with the forms Halifax sent me or instead use MSE's template and Resolver app?

Templates are not great to use. They have a lower success rate in general.

Use the forms the provider wants if you havent already filled something out.

Do I need a separate form per account number?

Not normally. If things differ with different types of PPI then note it on an additional paper or the pages that the information is different.

it is effectively data capture. They dont need your name multiple times but how it was sold to you each time may have been different.

Will a lack of information jeopardise my claims?)

You are complaining. So, your should be clear in your complaint. However, you are not expected to have perfect recollection. Indeed, people who think they have and guess or make up info are more likely to damage their complaint compared to those that say they cannot recall.

The Halifax form feels like lots of trick questions. "Why did you decide to take out the PPI policy?" for example.

How is that a trick question? You are alleging a wrongdoing. They clearly have to ascertain as much info as possible.

I don't remember if I did and surely if I'm doing a PPI mis-selling claim then the answer is, "I didn't!"

Your assumption is not logical. Clearly you did take out PPI. So, saying you didnt would be wrong. You would say you cannot remember.

Also, compared to the MSE template, there aren't any 'Not sure or Don't know' boxes. Basically, reading through it, I'm left feeling that even if I am due PPI compensation, if I put the wrong answers then I won't get a dime.

The same staff members at the bank look at all the different versions of forms. The layout doesnt matter. The content does.

greedybankers

Thanks, that's all very helpful. Yes I agree on your points

Nasqueron

Simply put - no-one is owed anything. You complain you were miss-sold.

With each card you need to look at why you feel any PPI was miss-sold, why it was not suitable etc. Some reasons may be common to each, some may not. Do one per card.

No reason not to fill in the form, Halifax just need to know the details to establish what happened at point of sale and why they should refund you. Resolver is a third party tool, no guarantee everything you put will be passed correctly to the Halifax. If the Halifax wants you to do those forms it must need that information to make a judgement. If you don't complete them they will just judge based on the information they have which might affect your complaint.

greedybankers

Great. Yes I see where you're both coming from. Helpful, thank you

[Deleted User]

greedybankers wrote: »

Should I continue with the forms Halifax sent me or instead use MSE's template and Resolver app?

Why would you want to introduce a third party (even a free one) into your dispute? Resolver is just an E-Mail template and will not improve your chances of success at the stage you are already at. Just fill in the Halifax forms as fully and honestly as you can.

greedybankers wrote: »

Do I need a separate form per account number?

Not really, but some Banks insist on it.

greedybankers wrote: »

Will a lack of information jeopardise my claims?

Of course it will.
You are making a complaint ( not a "claim") which will hinge on the information you provide.

greedybankers

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

You are making a complaint ( not a "claim") which will hinge on the information you provide.

Ah, yes ... that's the crux of it isn't? You've aligned my head/thinking on this.

I genuinely don't remember. If I wasn't sold PPI then I have no complaint ... hold on, I don't understand. Surely if the bank can dredge up account numbers from years ago they know if I was sold PPI? Would they already have told me if I wasn't?

Nearlyold

I called their PPI line and got the full account numbers for the credit cards and confirmation of the start dates of all the various products. I was told to fill out a single form for the credit card but also a single form for all the loan accounts. Is this right? The form clearly states "All answers you give in this questionnaire must relate to this date when you took out the policy." They're dated 1999, 2001, 2009, 2015 so are almost certainly separate loans.

You won't have PPI on a 2015 loan. Lloyds Group stopped selling PPI in July 2010

dunstonh

I genuinely don't remember. If I wasn't sold PPI then I have no complaint ... hold on, I don't understand.

If you dont remember then say that. However, it doesnt mean there were not other failures. Often complaints get upheld for failure reasons that have nothing to do with the reasons the person thought.

Surely if the bank can dredge up account numbers from years ago they know if I was sold PPI?

Remember that there is nothing wrong with having PPI. So, just having PPI is not good enough a reason. You are alleging that the PPI was incorrectly sold to you. They want to find out why you think it was missold and also investigate other areas the FCA have told them to look at.

[Deleted User]

greedybankers wrote: »

Surely if the bank can dredge up account numbers from years ago they know if I was sold PPI? Would they already have told me if I wasn't?

No investigation will currently have taken place into any of your accounts, as evidenced by your most recent account being itemised even though it could not possibly have had PPI in 2015.

Did you ask them if you ever had PPI in the first place, or did you skip straight to "complaint"?

dizzydonkeys

I have just done this with halifax, I genuinely had no idea if i even had any PPI and was certain if i did it would be a negligable amount and for a short time frame due to defaulting on my loan and having to have it re drafted.
Just today got my offer letter through of 4k after tax.
I put very little info as honestly couldnt remember anything.