Financial Ombudsman - Helped me beat Abbey

[chiggins18]

I went through the whole process up to the part where I had to take the bank to court - didn't have the cash, so filled in complaint forms regarding the Abbey and Halifax and sent to Financial Ombudsman. I received a letter this week, and the Abbey have now offered £4100 out of £4690. I have to sign a letter saying that it this is in full and final settlement of this claim. I am currently waiting for the outcome of a complaint regarding the Halifax which I sent to them at the same time...

I wrote to them in December, so it has taken 2 months for the FO to sort it out.

Maybe they have started to do what they said in the Money Programme....

[indebtstudent]

Hmm.. thanks for the info. I haven't decided which woute to go down yet as my bro has multiple claims to make so the FO might be worth another look.

[nearlyoldwoman]

thats excellent news! i think the FOS is the route i'm going to take too, i live in scotland and claiming more than £3000, the path isn;t therefore that straightforward, as it means chopping up claims into £1500 'summary causes' then do i put the claims in at once or seperately? etc, AND trying to find solicitor/sherriff officer to serve the papers etc! if i lived in england it would be much easier but you know, thats what they're there for! (even the banks refer you to them if you're not happy with their refusal to refund your charges)keep us posted re' the other one.

[legalpickle]

If you can't afford the court costs, you may be able to get remission or not have to pay the costs at all, visit:
EX160 http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/H...t_forms_id=168

EX160A http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/H...eaflets_id=172

The latter is an explanation and the former is the actual form.

[dax]

The Financial Ombudsman are dealing with my Halifax claim too although its been there for months and theyve just written to say they are so busy, it will take many more weeks.

Great result for you though and ill let you know how my complaint goes

[legalpickle]

I recommend that people take the banks to court, I don't understand why people will settle for less than they are due!

If you can't afford court costs, view my post earlier in this thread which shows how to deal with it.

[elliejay39]

Originally Posted by legalpickle

I recommend that people take the banks to court, I don't understand why people will settle for less than they are due!

If you can't afford court costs, view my post earlier in this thread which shows how to deal with it.

I know what you are saying although I did consider taking FOS route with Abbey to try and avoid my (pretty huge) overdraft being called in and then getting caught in default removal wrangle. On balance though, as my charges SHOULD outweigh my o/d I'm going to take the court route and chance my arm. If by some fluke they aren't enough then i'll have to consider my position as i don't have the money to repay if Abbey behave in their usual way (actually still waiting for microfiche records so its still academic...)