amejelo v Smile ***WON***

[amejelo]

Hi,

Thought i'd track my progress with smile for anyone trying to claim back from them. I just receieved details of charges without Subject Access Request. Total charges in the three years i've had the account came to £650 so i've written to them to request this is refunded.

To be honest, smile are a pretty good bank other than their system of charges which are just extortionate, £15 then £5 a day you're over your o/d! - And they don't even tell you it's happended. I had one day where i went 87p over my limit, didn't notice cos i was away and came home to £145 worth of charges!!!!!!!! These guys are supposed to ethical!

Anyway, i have another account set up and ready in case of the worst....

[caro]

I must admit I tend to agree with you about smile. I've been with a few banks over the years and they are by far the easiest to deal with. On my account the fees for being over the OD are shown on the statement on 5th, and taken on 21st. Probably my biggest gripe is that the charges are taken just before most people get paid, so more may be incurred the following month if funds are a bit low.

[amejelo]

bit of an update...

Smile recieved my final letter on 8th March and only today (22nd) did they reply with a standard letter saying it was being looked into and that they had 40 days to respond. I feel they are trying to dictate the timetable and was wondering how to approach it as my second letter stipulated 14 days or else legal action. Should i just file or what? Is 14 days or 40 days inclusive of sundays/bank holidays?

Anyhoo, not overly worried and quite optimistic of a positive outcome given the other posts...

[atomboy]

You're in charge, you specified 14 days, the program here is 14 days, they're just using delaying tactics. They're unscrupulous, they're hoping you'll lose interest and forget about them. Why does it take them 40 days to look at your file on a computer screen? That's a nonsense; go for it, file your claim.

[amejelo]

VICTORY!!!!!!!

On Saturday I got a letter offering the charges refunded (£710) as a gesture of goodwill. Hurrah!

Excellent site - i will be making a donation!

Cheers

[ian cognito]

WELL DONE!!!!!

[caro]

Congratulations. Don't forget the survey too.

[amejelo]

hey ho, so I recieved my charges back from Smile almost exactly 8 weeks ago. In their offer letter they informed me that "if we hear nothing more 8 weeks from the date of this letter we will consider the matter closed".

What do you know, 8 weeks to the day i get a secure message informing me that 'we are not happy with the way you have been using your account and intend to close it 30 days from today'.

I am going to take this to the Ombudsman cos it's clearly punitive retaliation for claiming back the charges (after all they could have closed it at any time in the last 2 years when i was being charged and 'misusing' my account).

be warned!!!!