A Result

auto98 · 12th May 2006, 15:03

Just had a letter from Abbey stating that "We do not feel our bank charges are unfair......If your claim escalates into a claim in the County Court...we [may] feel that our relationship with the customer has broken down completely, and we may decide to close the account"

However, "as a gesture of goodwill, i can confirm that i have refunded your charges"

NeilP · 12th May 2006, 15:14

Congratulations Auto98, Job well done.

dave · 12th May 2006, 15:21

Send a copy of the letter to the OFT - I'm sure that they would like to see a letter threatening account closure because you stood up for your rights that the OFT pointed out to you.

I think Abbey are heading for a revokation of their credit licence.

auto98 · 15th May 2006, 13:22

Will do - also just realised that they have charged me interest on the charges too!! (only 40p, but it's the principle....)

*edit*

Just been advised by the OFT to report them to the financial ombudsmen - person i spoke to thinks that attempting to blackmail someone into not taking them to court may even be a criminal offence!!

joneshousehold · 16th May 2006, 22:15

Quote:

person i spoke to thinks that attempting to blackmail someone into not taking them to court may even be a criminal offence!!

Was it someone at the OFT that said that? Interesting

auto98 · 17th May 2006, 15:07

Well to be fair they were very clear about MAY be a criminal offence - they might have just been agreeing with me to get me off the line lol

auto98 · 24th May 2006, 12:10

Just had something back from the ombudsman:

Quote:

I should explain that we do not have a regulatory or supervisory role over the banks. Our only power is the award of monetary compensation in order to make good outstanding loss, damage or inconvenience to a complainant caused as a result of a breach of duty on the bank's part.

The Financial Ombudsman Service is not an advisory bureau and therefore cannot comment on any legal aspects of your complaint such as blackmail, we purely deal with financial loss of which since you have had a refund I cannot see you have suffered one.

The bank has the right to decide who they wish to have a customers, If they feel that they do not wish to have your custom then they have a right to close your account, obviously given the appropriate notification as per your agree contract.

Interesting that he uses the word blackmail?

joneshousehold · 24th May 2006, 20:09

Looks like when forced to put something in writing the Ombudsman has backed down. It's to be expected I suppose. Maybe the OFT is the best place to direct this as Dave suggests.

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