More trouble for Nationwide!! - **WON**

Bovvered · 7th March 2006, 13:44

I am a single mum of four who has struggled to stay afloat with no help from kids' dad, just a small medical pension and child tax credit.

I was left with a lot of debt after my divorce, which is being managed by a debt councelling charity (free of charge), and out of my weekly income of £150, I have to pay £35 towards my debts. After all my outgoings I have a little over £50 per week on which to feed my family of 4 teenage boys.

On Saturday I received a letter from Halifax advising me that two direct debits had gone unpaid, one for £3.99 and the other for £9.45. The letter advised that they would charge me £39 for each unpaid DD, plus if my account went more than £30 o/d I would be charged another £28.00.

Well first thing yesterday morning I went into my local branch and asked for leniency as the charges seemed to me excessive in the extreme. I was told they would cancel one charge 'as a gesture of goodwill', but would not cancel the other, which will be taken from my account on Thursday of this week.

I explained to her if they did that, I would be left with the grand sum of only £11 to buy food for the week for a family of 5, and there was no way I could possibly manage that, so ti sum up, if I buy my shopping tomorrow as usual, my account will be thrown into overdraft of £40 and I will then be charged unauthorised O/D fee as well, which will have a knock effect next week. I have had 4 bank charges like this since I opened the account in 2004, (including these recent ones) and two of them have been cancelled as goodwill gestures. I really don't know what to do next. Do I take action against them now for the two amounts they didn't refund (bearing in mind there will be more once the start kicking in their unauth O/D fees?

Problem is my money is paid in not just monthly: I get child benefit on Mondays, tax credit on Wednesdays and pension end of month.

Since yesterday's meeting at the bank, I was furious and found this site, and now realise I could do something about it. It also occured to me an account I had with Nationwide which was closed in Dec 2004 because bank charges got out of control, could be brought to account.

Trouble is I am absolutely terrified at the prospect of arguing a claim to people who are experts. I forget facts very easily, go blank when under pressure and don't think I'd cope very well in court.

I really have to do something about my current situation, but I need some encouragement and support, and what's the worst thing that can happen to me, bearing in mind I am not in a position to cover any losses resulting from a lost court case?

Sorry for going on, but I am sick to my stomach about the whole thing - never knew people had been able to do something about it till yesterday...

Docubot · 7th March 2006, 13:48

The worst thing that can happen is it goes to court and you lose.

By losing (if the claim is for less than 5k) then you only lose your initial court costs.

The thing is, it can often take months to get your money back.

BankFodder · 7th March 2006, 14:38

Well go at it one step at a time and see how it goes. I am moving this thread to other institutions and we can go from there.

Do you know how much the Nationwide have taken from you?

If you don't then begin by sending them the Data Protection Act request from the library. You will have to send a £10 with it, I'm afraid but it will start you off.

Have you read the FAQs and the forum material.
Read as thoroughly as you can and understand what you are doing

Natasha · 7th March 2006, 14:57

Hi Bovvered,

Sorry to hear about the predicament your in, perhaps the suggestion of opening another account for your benefits to go in would be a good idea, so at least then you dont have to worry about having cash to live on.
Then go ask them to remove the charges, if they dont then file a claim to settle the account.
If i was you i would cancel the Direct Debits and just pay the bills via Pay-point to avoid any charges in future.

Good luck and keep us updated

Docubot · 7th March 2006, 15:30

Yes good idea.

Get a new account somewhere - fast.

See if you can get it done quick enough to get your benefits paid into before the bank get to your money.

If they make more charges on your 'old' account - then more fool them - you can claim 8% apr on it later.

diddled · 7th March 2006, 16:28

A friend of my mine was in a very similar situation
Her Income consisted of Child Benefit and Tax Credits but her bank nevertheless helped themselves to penalty charges they applied to her account.
After contacting the bank and explaining they had taken the money the Law says she needed to live on, without any argument they re-imbursed in full.

BankFodder · 7th March 2006, 16:32

That's amazing, isn't it. Even Bailliffs acting on a court order would have to leave enough to live on. Water can't be cut off. there are restrictions on gas and electricty disconnnection - but the banks can go in and take the lot.

Docubot · 7th March 2006, 16:55

It's about time banks were regulated PROPERLY.

They need to be accountable to someone - the Govt. doesn't seem to care, so who?

Natasha · 7th March 2006, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddled

A friend of my mine was in a very similar situation
Her Income consisted of Child Benefit and Tax Credits but her bank nevertheless helped themselves to penalty charges they applied to her account.
After contacting the bank and explaining they had taken the money the Law says she needed to live on, without any argument they re-imbursed in full.

Bovvered, if you call the bank and mention the above quoted by diddled they may refund the charges.

moxie · 7th March 2006, 17:07

I would hope that if it did get as far as going to court, then the kind members of this forum would give every assistance, including coming to court with you (where are you based?). I'm also in dispute with Nationwide and hope that, if it does get to court, someone would come along with me. Please !!

Natasha · 7th March 2006, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by moxie

I would hope that if it did get as far as going to court, then the kind members of this forum would give every assistance, including coming to court with you (where are you based?). I'm also in dispute with Nationwide and hope that, if it does get to court, someone would come along with me. Please !!

I agree, i would hope someone comes to court with me too!

I'll go with you moxie not sure how helpful i'd be though!

Bovvered · 7th March 2006, 20:21

Thanks so much for your very helpful suggestions. Indeed I will mention that to the bank (about the law and what it says a person/family need to live on) - that shocked me when I realised the truth of that - yes even the council and primary debt creditors won't make you drop below that!

I am based on Oxfordshire so I should imagine I would either end up in Oxford or possibly Banbury.

The more I read, the more I am certain I want to do something about it.

Just to clarify, my op states I have issues with both Nationwide and Halifax. My current situation is with the Halifax, but reading all about you marvellous psople and what have done/are doing, made me remember the grief and charges I suffered courtesy of Nationwide. The original thread title was just 'Bricking it', but I think an admin added Nationwide because it does also concern Nationwide.

Yesterday I applied online for an account with Barclays in anticipation of what may happen once I proceed. I also still (ironically) have a dormant cashbuilder account with Nationwide but I don't think I'll be using that either!!

Thanks again - I will keep you posted - I will phone the bank (Halifax) this week but I won't tell them I plan to pursue this (to court if necessary) until I have an alternative bank account.

I guess there is nothing stopping me doing something about Nationwide - I need to request statements first (I no longer have any as this account was closed in Dec 2004) as I don't remember how much I was charged in the 4 years I had the account though it'll be in the hundred for sure.

Docubot · 7th March 2006, 20:33

PM me with your location - I would gladly come to court should it get that far.

dolly · 7th March 2006, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bovvered

I guess there is nothing stopping me doing something about Nationwide - I need to request statements first (I no longer have any as this account was closed in Dec 2004) as I don't remember how much I was charged in the 4 years I had the account though it'll be in the hundred for sure.

I wrote to the Customer Service Manager at the local branch using the template in the Library and 3 days later came every statement I'd ever had and I never had to pay for them. They very helpfully as well send statements with charges on seperate to the main ones which makes adding it all up much easier.

Bovvered · 7th March 2006, 21:08

Wow - I am really overwhelmed at how helpful everyone is being on this forum. You guys rock!!

I am beginning to feel stronger about the whole prospect already, just because of your encouragement and help.

THANKYOU ALL

Natasha · 7th March 2006, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bovvered

Wow - I am really overwhelmed at how helpful everyone is being on this forum. You guys rock!!

I am beginning to feel stronger about the whole prospect already, just because of your encouragement and help.

THANKYOU ALL

We are all in the same boat and know exactly how your feeling, i've had a really sh!tty day today, i'm going to make a cup of tea and go to bed!

Keep us posted and if you need any advice or someone to talk to PM me!

Bovvered · 9th March 2006, 12:01

About to post Data Protection Act disclosure request to NW today. Here we go!!

Will commence refund request regarding Halifax (my current account) as soon as I have a back up bank account in place should I need one. They are due to take another charge from my account today, but they haven't as yet. You know I'm almost willing to be they are waiting to end of business just incase I take out money and then they can slap on another charge - I will let you know if they do that.

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