Can anyone please help me???

jimfitz81

Hi, just have a query that im wondering if anyone can help me with.
My current bank account is with LloydsTSB and i am paying back a credit card and a loan both of which are also with LloydsTSB. The direct debits for these 2 things come out of the current account.

The direct debits usually come out around the 10th of each month and total around the £250 mark.

At the end of December, i realised i would not be able to make my January payments and called the loan and credit card people. Both said they would not allow the payment to go unpaid in January.

So, i spoke to the customer support at LloydsTSB and they reccommended that i cancel the direct debits, incur the late fees and sort it out when i could afford the payment.

Subsequently, i cancelled the direct debits and thought i had brought myself some breathing space. I received letters regarding my loan and credit card direct debits advising that i will be charged late fees if payment was not received. As i expected these fees, i didnt take any action.

However, on the 24th of this month, i have discovered that both the loan payment and credit card payment (inc. late fees) has been taken from my account despite me cancelling the direct debits nearly a month earlier!!!

Surely they cannot do this!?!? Is that not the whole point in having a direct debit set up? If its cancelled, how can they continue to take my money?

I have a young daughter and now cant afford the rent for Feb as this money has been taken.

Can anyone please tell where i stand and what i can do about it as im at a complete loss.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks in advance

Jim

waddy80

Unfortunatley they can take the money. If you have a current account with the bank and owe them money they can just take it from there. It will have been written into you credit agreement. Normally however this would not happen if you have missed one payment (as far as I am aware).

I would imagine that you have recieved letter from the 'collections' department asking for contact. If contact is not recieved they will just take the money. You need to get on the phone tomorrow and speak to the collections department or the customer support unit. If you really are struggling they can put you on a repayment plan.

When were you planning to pay the arrears on the accounts? The only reason I ask is that if you now can't pay your payments or the rent, how was just a bit of breathing space going to help? (sorry if this is a bit blunt, but just trying to understand)

*I do work for LTSB but this is not my speciality, I may not be 100% right*

jimfitz81

Basically, money is very tight after crimbo. I was going to pay the arrears in the next few months when i have money coming in again. When i have a bit more money it wouldnt be a problem - its just that time of the year. I had to make a decision what was more important, the repayments or the rent. Goes without saying what i chose and now i've been stiched up.

carpetbelly

Lloyds also have a system that runs when payments have been missed to check a current account for monies they could use to take payments. Unfortunately from what I recall having worked in the department that implemented this system they take it from any delinquent cycle. And unfortunately I do not believe there's much you can do on this one. I think it's definately worth calling up the customer support again and seeing what they say and remind them you were incorrectly informed and see what they can do for you.