Please Help Me (Halifax = evil)

Lilycharlotte

Firstly, I hate Halifax. Now that's out the way I can tell you what I need a little help with!

I've banked with halifax for nearly 10 years but when we got into financial difficulty (partner lost his job) they didn't want to know.
We have had approx. £2000+ worth of charges in the last 2 years.
I have an overdraft of £300 but have gone over by a further £160 making a total £460 owing.
I have opened an account elsewhere so start afresh.
Halifax keep phoning me saying I have to pay the £160 I owe them, I keep getting charged intrest every day and am having bank charges for £28 a month for being over my overdraft.
I want to pay them but I can't afford to. I had a letter saying that because I 'defaulted on my payment plan' I now owe them the full amount. Makes me laugh as I never even had a payment plan in place.

Also, the reason we are over the overdraft in the first place is because of them! I called them on 3 occasions to ask my direct debits/standing orders be cancelled only to find out that it hadn't happened and therefore I incured charges on them.

I also have a loan with the Halifax and, although I contacted them to say my direct debit details had changed (they said they'd send me a form) they didn't - and they tried to take the payment out of my old bank account. SO I got a £35 charge from the bank plus a £20 charge stuck on my loan.

People at Halifax seem very rude and just want to get the money out of you - even if you have to have a friend or family member pay for it.

They ask me if I can pay today and I say no I can't, and that I don't have a debit or credit card. They ask me if I work and I say no (Im a housewife) and they ask if I get benefits (which I don't). They ask how I survive and I don't think it's any of their business really.

I know I owe them money and I know I need to pay it. But I simply can't. And it annoys me that I owe them a little £460 while I think they owe me £2000+ and I'm worried that if I don't pay it it will affect my chances of getting my charges reclaimed.

Also, the woman on the phone said that if I don't pay then it will go on my credit rating and I won't beable to get credit for 6 years in the UK. Is this true or is it just scare tactics to make me pay?

Thanks for reading all that :-) and any help would be great.

x

cashprincezac

your credit rating would be impacted. You may still get credit elsewhere but at a higher rate (plus with the credit crunch not sure many lenders will lend).

I suggest you call them on 08457 20 30 40 and explain. Whilst I don't think they will be able to refund all the charges they may well do the ones where they are at fault.

I had a similar issue and found them really useful. I also suggest you look at your finances to pay off people where its either essential or where you face paying higher charges.

I wouldn't bank on charges being reclaimed especially in the current climate

Andymcj1

Go to your local citizen's advice bureau straight away. They will get in touch with the bank and arrange to have the interest frozen and for the remaining debt to be paid off at an amount you can afford.

Lilycharlotte

Thanks

I have tried to explain the situtation to them on several occasions. To be honest, I have more important things to pay at the minute. I've sat down and sorted out all my finances and I just don't have it spare.

I'm not banking on my charges being reclaimed and they won't give me back any at all even if they were unfair (and due to their incompetence).

One thing, I forgot to mention, was that I said I would clear it on Friday, but my boyfriend wasn't paid as he usually is so I couldn't pay it. I did call them and explain, and after explaining for 5 minutes the woman said 'so, sorry, why can't you pay?' It's just SO irritating when you have to deal with a bunch of half wit morons.

Off to citizens advice :-)