Duphrates v HFC Credit Card

[Duphrates]

I had a credit card with HFC which I paid off over 18 months ago and I closed the account. I incurred a lot of charges whilst over my credit limit which I am now going to claim back. However I've moved house since then and I'd like to know this;
in the Data Protection Act letter that I am about to send, where it says :-

If there is specific information which you require in order to satisfy yourself as to my identity, please let me know by return. However please note that the above address is the one which you normally use to communicate my private business to me and which you have hitherto found to be acceptable.

which it isn't (the address). It's my new address not the one they will have on their files.
I'm assuming I change it to read -:

However please note that the above address is not the one which you normally use to communicate my private business to me. The address which you have hitherto found to be acceptable was
[old address here]

any advice?

[Duphrates]

Okay, well the address thing worked.

07/07/06 - Received all statements and was suprised to find out that the account is still open with them! I had about £3.00 left on the card which must've been interest from the previous month when I paid up. This has now risen to £5.00 because of accrued interest every month!! I need to make sure the account is closed today.(The people in my old house must have a stack of 2 years worth of statements!!)

Anyway before I proceed with my prelimenary approach letter I need to check that I can also claim for all the 'LATE PAYMENT' charges that have been taken from me, as well as the 'OVER AGREED LIMIT' charges. I'm pretty sure I can. I'm just double checking with you people that have been there before.

Thanks in advance.

PS - They also said in their covering letter that they would kindly waiver the £10 charge for the statements as a gesture of goodwill, yet when I look at my bank account the cheque has cleared!!!

[Duphrates]

I couldn't begin to explain the joy that fell upon me as I was going through my statements with a highlighter. Wave after wave of euphoria as I spotted yet another late payment!!

Anyhoos... I'm going to send my preliminary letter today, but looking through the templates I noticed there is a different LBA for Credit cards than the normal banking one, however no such alternative for the preliminary letter. Looking at them both though, they are very similar in their content, so I've just changed the line to read...

I now understand that the regime of fees which you have been applying to my account in relation to late payment charges and overlimit fees and so forth are unlawful at blah blah....

any comments......

[Duphrates]

*10/07/06 - Preliminary letter sent*

[Duphrates]

Letter received on 27/07/06 dated 25th

Paraphrased for everyone's convenience.

Dear Duph
Account *******
Thank you for your recent communication regarding the above account, I have now fully investigated the matters raised.
Default charges are charges payable if customers do not make the required minimum payment .....exceed their credit limit......payment to their [card] is returned unpaid. The amount of these charges.......is set outclearly in HFC Bank card agreements. We believe that our charges to customers are fair and resonable.
The OFT has recently published findings from its enquiry.......HFC Bank has [considered this] and does not accept its findings. However the OFT's investigation has led to a change in market practices and....{bit about reducing charges except on charges already applied}.Accordingly, I regret that we are not prepared to make any refund....or compensation.
Thank you etc etc

I like the defence of 'we do not acecept the OFT's findings'!

Anyway, so it's on with the LBA.

[Duphrates]

LBA sent 07/08/06

[Duphrates]

Claim filed at Moneyclaim 25/08/06

[uk_joe]

Good luck with your MCOL
I'm going to be following your case with interest as mine is fairly similar. Was good to read that you didn't have any problems re: change of address either.

Let us know how you get on!

[Duphrates]