Co-Op Are Doing It Again? Closing My Account

[friendgeorge]

Hi all

well i got my charges back from the Co-Op a few months ago, and this week i put in a cheque on saturday, and it's showing on my account but not cleared, anyway aol took this months payment early, so i am now OD, and coop have sent me a letter within 2 days to say my account is closing in 30 days as i have not conducted the account proper, what can i do, they thretened me before and i told them i would go to watchdog about it, and they kept it open, but i don't think i can pull that one again, any help please

[bathgatebuyer]

They've behaved similarly towards me with my Smile account. I don't know what I can recommend but I've generally found them to be totally unreasonable when it comes to this.

[friendgeorge]

Hi Bathgatebuyer i have just emailed them laying it on saying abot compo if they do close m account so we will have to see what i get back from them, all these bank are the same i think, Nationwide and NatWest done it to me

[Paintball]

Please see the attached which should help; these were posted in another thread and reflect the customer's reaction to the Bank's retaliatory gesture which is unlawful ...

Hope it helps

P

Mr David Lewis
Head of Customer Relations
HSBC Bank PLC
Level 36
8 Canada Square
London
E14 5HQ

Thursday, 31 August 2006

Ref: **************

Account ***************

Dear Mr Lewis

I am writing to complain about the letter I received from a Miss N Kelly a service quality manager based in Leeds. The letter dated 30th August 2006 tells me that you are going to withdraw my banking services on the 29th September 2006. The only reason I can see that you are doing this is that I have successfully claimed back unfair banks charges applied by HSBC dating back 6 years.

I feel that this is an unfair retaliation on your part, which goes against the Banking Code Standards Board who says “We ask subscribers to consider the fairness of closing accounts in such circumstances”. The FSA who under there rules on dispute resolution and complaints say “We would not expect any regulated firm to discriminate against a customer who makes a complaint”. And also the Financial Ombudsman who say “they should not decide to close an account for an improper reason – for instance, because of unfair bias”.

I feel that your treatment towards me is in direct contravention of the above rules set by your governing bodies.

I have been a customer of HSBC for many years and am truly hurt and upset in the way HSBC have handled this matter.

From this letter I would hope that you will reconsider you decision to close my account so that I can continue to bank with HSBC.

If this is not possible then I will be left with no choice but to complain to the Banking Code Standards Board, The Financial Services Authority, and the Financial Ombudsman, however I am hopeful it will not have to come to that.




A prompt response would be very much appreciated.


Yours Sincerely




James Rouse


Cc: File

So i then wrote to the chairman with this one, and got a letter from alan pretty say account WON'T be closed

Quote:

Mr Stephen Green
Chairman
HSBC Bank PLC
8 Canada Square
London
E14 5HQ


Wednesday, 13 September 2006

Re **********************

Dear Mr Green.

I am writing to you to complain about the closure of my current account on the 29th of September.

I received a letter on the 30th of August from a Miss N Kelly saying that HSBC are going to withdraw my banking services on the 29th September for a “Commercial Reason”, I then wrote to Mr David Lewis head of customer relations on the 31st August.

I called HSBC today to see whether my letter to Mr Lewis was being dealt with and it seems that it is being dealt with in Leeds and they have a back log of complaints at the moment but was told on the phone the decision can not be over turned and my current account will close on the 29th September.

I feel my account should not be closed, I feel it is only being done so in retaliation of me claiming back bank charges.

I would like to draw you attention to the following information from the Banking Code Standards Board, The FSA and The Financial Ombudsman

The Banking Code Standards Board say “We ask subscribers to consider the fairness of closing accounts in such circumstances”. The FSA who under there rules on dispute resolution and complaints say “We would not expect any regulated firm to discriminate against a customer who makes a complaint”. And also the Financial Ombudsman who say “they should not decide to close an account for an improper reason – for instance, because of unfair bias”.

I have been a customer with HSBC for many years and also have business banking, saving accounts, ISA etc with HSBC, and I am deeply hurt and upset by HSBC’s actions.

I ask that you reconsider the decision to close my current, if this is not possible then I will be left with no choice but to complain to the Banking Code Standards Board, The Financial Services Authority, The Financial Ombudsman, and contact national newspapers to inform them of HSBC’s actions. However I am hopeful it will not have to come to that.

A prompt response would be very much appreciated.


Yours Sincerely




James Rouse

[tim2718281]

Originally Posted by friendgeorge

Hi all

well i got my charges back from the Co-Op a few months ago, and this week i put in a cheque on saturday, and it's showing on my account but not cleared, anyway aol took this months payment early, so i am now OD, and coop have sent me a letter within 2 days to say my account is closing in 30 days as i have not conducted the account proper, what can i do, they thretened me before and i told them i would go to watchdog about it, and they kept it open, but i don't think i can pull that one again, any help please

How about telling the bank that as you had not agreed that they could make payments which would take your account overdrawn, they made an error in paying AOL.

Tim

[Bizarre.Moogle]

AOL are nasty in claiming, instead of setting up direct debits they prefer to use continuos authority, which is taking payments directly off your card, as in your doing the transaction in person so treated as a card transaction. Is this the case here? Or you one of the few that do have it on direct debit?

[Angel04]

Originally Posted by friendgeorge

Hi all

well i got my charges back from the Co-Op a few months ago, and this week i put in a cheque on saturday, and it's showing on my account but not cleared, anyway aol took this months payment early, so i am now OD, and coop have sent me a letter within 2 days to say my account is closing in 30 days as i have not conducted the account proper, what can i do, they thretened me before and i told them i would go to watchdog about it, and they kept it open, but i don't think i can pull that one again, any help please

Hi I've just joined this site and have now been waiting 4 weeks for a total figure from the Co-Op. I sent the letter to Delf House, Level 2, can you tell me if thats the address you used and how long it took for you to get the charges back from them. So far they are ignoring me, cheers Angel04

[piglet1]

Originally Posted by Angel04

Hi I've just joined this site and have now been waiting 4 weeks for a total figure from the Co-Op. I sent the letter to Delf House, Level 2, can you tell me if thats the address you used and how long it took for you to get the charges back from them. So far they are ignoring me, cheers Angel04

hi i used address below, got my list of charges after 2 weeks and first reply from prelim after 7 days asking for another 7 days to get back to me so have just sent lba as i am going to stick to my time scales
THE COOPERATIVE BANK
CUSTOMER CARE
P O BOX 101
BALLOON STREET
MANCHESTER
M60 4EP
hope this helps

[Angel04]

Cheers for getting back to me, I didn't send it to the address you did, and think that might be the reason why I am still waiting. Don't really know what to do now. Will keep you updated. Good luck