New claim

[dazedandconfused]

Hello all, I'd be really grateful for an advice you may have on the following.

I've had a few months where payments due to me have been late etc so my bank account, whilst no means horrendous, has had a few times when its been overdrawn (never more than a few days) and a few returned payments.
I spoke to Abbey yesterday to confirm what charges I could expect and they told me that there was £900+ waiting to be debited from my account.
£500 was debited today and there's £400+ to be debited next month.

They won't discuss it other than to say that the only option I have (if I don't have the funds immediately to cover-which I don't-I'm now overdrawn by £400 because of the charges) is to cancel all my standing orders and debits and return my cards, then enter into a payment plan with them to repay the charges.

This is such a bad situation that, because essentially I won't have a bank account for 10wks (whilst repaying the charges) that I will be in a worse situation at the end of it all.

Does anyone have any advice? I can't believe I'm in the middle of this nightmare and would really appreciate some help.

[Jane Austen]

Open an account elsewhere NOW. Try the STEP account at NatWest which you can open now online. Link: http://www.natwest.com/personal02.as...S/STEP_ACCOUNT

Once this is running, which doesn't take long, stop all payments into your Abbey account.

Meanwhile, start the ball rolling with getting your charges back. Read the FAQs for the procedure to follow.

Good luck

[comanche]

Completetely agree. You urgently need another bank account (a basic one will do) to have any income paid into. Nat West step is good but you can also look at Co-Op cashminder and the Nationwide Flex account. You then need to move your salary/ other sources of income and payments over to the new account.

In the meantime you may be better off cancelling your s/os and dds anyway to stop more charges accruing at Abbey.

Have you kept your bank statements? Do you know how much they have taken from you in charges for at least the past 6 years?

[dazedandconfused]

Hi, thanks so far. I've just applied for another account and will hopefully get the OK on that.
I'm going to stop the DD's and SO's shortly-and am sending the initial letter requesting info on the charges.
Having read the threads on this site its shaken me out of my shock and now I'm just getting angry! Which is a good thing.

Thanks for the advice so far, this is a great site.

[NeilP]

Good Luck with your claim. Keep us all posted as time ticks on!

[dazedandconfused]

Hello, we recently had high charges against our Abbey account which I initially "agreed" to repay at £110 per week. We've made one payment but it's become obvious that we won't be able to afford to keep these payments up for 10 weeks (which would then have repaid charges, overdraft, interest etc).

We're also starting to reclaim our charges - we've had the microfiche letter and some statements through - and I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on whether, if I contact Abbey to say that I would like to change our repayment scheme, it will effect our claim?

Thanks in advance

[Jane Austen]

I don't see how it would affect your claim. My opinion is that it rather adds to the evidence because Abbey have talked you into a plan you cannot keep to. Some of what you owe them is bound to be from charges so the amount is in dispute anyway. I would write a letter to this effect and tell them thast until this is resolved then you won't be paying any more £110 payments.

This is just what I would do though - it's your decision. I also presume you have a parachute account?

[dazedandconfused]

Hi, we're just in the process of opening a NatWest Step account-does anyone know of any reason why that account wouldn't be opened for us? Why Natwest would turn us down? Sorry-panicking today
The Abbey have cancelled all our DD's and SO's in the last few days-which I saw this morning.

Also-does anyone know if the Abbey can take money from a savings account we have with them to cover a debt in the current account?
I.e. legally can they move money from one account to another without our consent? It's just a concern I have as the savings account is currently the only place we have for money coming in and going out.

Thanks

[Jane Austen]

Unfortunately they can move money from one account to another. Are you saying you have been refused by NatWest for a Step account? If you apply online and get a decision in principle then it's is generally OK and will go through.
You should be able to set up a savings account without credit checks.

[dazedandconfused]

No, haven't been turned down and I hope we won't be. Did the online application and they've just asked us for the normal ID requirements which we've provided. I think I was having a panic moment.
We've also had a business account application accepted-subject to us sending the relevant id etc-so am hoping that's a good sign.

The Abbey savings account is making me nervous so I think I need to clear that out soon!

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated.

[welly]

Hi dazed
If NatWest have asked for the ID then you have the account and I would move that money FAST!!!! or they will take it the little shabbey's ****ers

Good luck and get to the bank ASAP tommorow

[dazedandconfused]

Thanks Welly, that's given me some emcouragement
I aim to get that money out of there asap

[comanche]

Unless you're subject to a notice period for withdrawals, go along to the bank with your ID and withdraw the savings balance immediately and certainly before you miss any payments. Abbey WILL use that account for set off.

If you're nervous about Nat West, there's nothing to stop you trying to open another account quickly. Nationwide are usually quite quick and the Woolwich offer a savings account with a Visa Electron debit card that seems to be very easy and quick to open.

[dazedandconfused]

Hello all,

We're also claiming against the Abbey!
We've sent the Data Protection Act letter, had the microfiche letter back, and we've now had a steady trickle of statements through.
So far it looks like we've had statements back to 2004 (and I've asked for up to 2000)-what do I do if they don't send anymore?

They've charged us thousands over the last 2.5 years alone and they have been horrendous to deal with. I am feeling very very pleased that I am able to do this I have to say
Though I'll admit that I am anxiously waiting for some news report telling us that the banks have managed to stop all our court actions!

Thanks for any advice

[callumsgran]

Hi and welcome, give them their 40days if you havent had them all send a non compliance letter to the Information Commissioner i think? i think you will probably get them all by then though so dont worry! Good luck

[dazedandconfused]

Thanks for the reply. I will sit on my hands until then.

[dazedandconfused]

Hello,

I think I made a huge mistake when I first sent the original data request letter to the Abbey.
I didn't enclose the £10 payment.

I subsequently received a letter from them telling me the "microfiche" story and requesting the £10-which I then sent.
I have since received only statement for the last 2yrs or so.


Just so I'm accurate when chasing them-are my 40 days from the initial letter or from when I sent the £10 payment?

Be really grateful for any replies as, if its from the original first letter, then they only have 'til Tuesday and it doesn't look like they're going to send me everything I requested.

TIA

[dazedandconfused]

I made a mistake when I sent the intial letter to Abbey asking for statements-I forgot the £10 payment.
I received the "microfiche" fantasy and subsequently sent the £10 off restating that I'd asked for statements etc.
I've since received about 2yrs worth of statements and nothing for the last few wks.

My question-does my timescale run from my first letter (without the £10 payment being included-which means the Abbey have til tuesday 18th) or from when I sent the £10?

TIA

[Karnevil]

it starts from when abbey received your payment - which isnt what you wanted to hear.......... dont know if you could bluff it as abbey dont seem to know one end from t'other but if you're thinking of court action you'll need proof of the payment. when did you send the payment - date wise ?