Abbey getting Cheeky!

[drob]

Started a claim for unfair charges and got to the letter before action stage.

Received a letter from Abbey giving me notice that they are unable to renew my overdraft and that i must pay this back.

I wrote to Abbey explaining that i am in the process of recaiming unfair bank charges on the account and that the overdraft is made up of some of the charges therefore i am disputing the amount you are requesting me to pay back. I also explained that i am prepared as a gesture of good will prepared to make a token payment per month to pay off the overdraft until my claim for unfair charges is sorted out.

I received a letter yesterday from abbey which quotes the following.......

"As it has not been possible to reach a suitable payment arrangement, all direct debits and other banking services linked to this account will be cancelled until you pay this money back. You will be charged interest at the unauthorised overdraft rate"

"You must return your cheque guarantee/debit card and any cheques you still have within the next 7 days, further action will which may involve sending a field agent to recover them. If this happens a fee of 45+vat will be debited from your account"

"It is important that you call us today to discuss payment of the outstanding amount. If we do not hear from you, we will write to you to notify you of our intent to register default information and pass you account to a collections agency for full recovery of the debt"

I want to send a reply to Abbey as im so frustrated with them, can anyone advise me????
vbrep_register("1072820")

[42man]

Firstly I would set up a new bank account immediately, I thought this sort of 'revenge' behaviour was frowned upon by the Banking Ombudsman. Somebody will be along soon who can assist in more detail although I would have thought this thread should go to the bank charges one....

[Hopeful1]

Hi Drob.

I think your biggest problem at the moment is that the refunding of bank charges is on hold at the moment in light of the OFT test case. The banks should be writing to customers to inform them of this. All claims will be held in a 'queue' until the outcome of the test case is known.

I definitley agree with 42man and would advise you to open another account. I have had a similiar issue with Barclays. They cancelled all my payments without telling me!! I also had to return my card/cheque book. They sent out a field agent AFTER i'd returned everything, so he was sent off with a flee in his ear I received the letter to return card on the Friday, i did so on the Saturday via post office and they sent the field agent on the Tuesday. Suffice to say i've made a complaint.

I have exceeded my overdraft limit and am writing to tell them how much i can afford to pay per month. I've already started to pay money in so they can't complain (though probably will!!). Unfortunately i didn't get my charges claim in quick enough either!!

Let us know how you get on.

[drob]

I already set up a parachute account with NatWest and i have aleady offered a monthly payment even thought the account is in dispute. I will write again to them and send them back my cards and cheque book as requested.

[eileen58]

Hi Drob, the exact same thing is happening to me with the bos. I could not get them to accept a payment but pure perserverence finally got me a telephonist to listen and I have now set up a payment plan with them. They are also threatening to put a default on my account so I am just waiting until the middle of August after I have made the original payment to see if they do this, if so I will be making an offical complaint to the fos. I already have a complaint form from them.
If everybody complains then surely the fos must listen to us.??

My overdraft is only for £750 but my charges are for £6,000.

Eileen

[drob]

Hi Eileen

Thanks for your reply........ I am complaining to the FOS later this week once i have calmed down!!! I just feel like telling them to put me in default and take me to court!!!

[Hopeful1]

Make your payment anyway, regardless of whether they accept it or not. If you do make a complaint or they take further action, it reflects well on you.

[scousepie]

I got the same letter today saying my overdraft review is due in October and we are with drawing the facility so p*** off Scousepie lol,,Tossers

I have a claim for £1400.... my OD is £2400 50/50 i would say lol

[Conniff]

finally got me a telephonist to listen

Oh Eileen!. Their official title is probably something like 'financial adviser' or 'finance officer' so you will have upset her by calling her a telephonist if she reads this.