thank you for this, i will read your thread with interest.

For the record, I spent 18 months of my life taking my complaint about my executive pension plan to:-

1. TPAS

2. FOS

3. Independent Assessor

4. FSA

5. John McFall, Treasury Select Committee

6. My MP

All of the above hindered my attempts to get justice. Eventually, I lodged a particular of claims with moneyclaim.gov.uk, and the pension company offered to settle within 2 weeks.

I've now got a problem with an insurance company and have no intention of dealing with the corrupt FOS again.

That sounds just about right. It's over 2 years now (in my case) and the Halifax Bank still refuses to co-operate with me as a legally appointed Executor. They also refused to co-operate with my Solicitor and a court appointed Administrator. Before anybody attempts to tell me what the Halifax Bank can do, or for that matter can't do, I am aware of the law and my rights. Unfortunately they just seem do what they want (As do Kraft after its Hostile takeover of Cadbury, and now Thomas Cook breaking Abta Rules, E.U Compensation Laws and Contract Law. Why? Because put simply THEY CAN. Toothless regulators we have a plenty in the UK.

Having written to a Mr James Brown, of the Halifax Bank Retail Fraud Department, it would appear that this gentleman (apparently) can not only read minds, but also has a Spirit Medium for guidance. Flippant? Not if you read the letter that came from this gentleman. Does James Brown exist? I doubt it. He won't speak to me on the phone and never rings me back.

The Police? stop watching your flat screen, 3D televisions please .

Every query and every attempt to get the truth from the Halifax Bank has been ignored. The fos is an organisation that is best left well alone, as are your local MP and the Treasury Select Committee. Just do not even waste your time, petrol (diesel in my case) postage, phone costs or your bus fare with ANY of the above miscreants. Only two things spring to mind with these organisations or people

• Vested Interests
  
• Flood Gates
  

Once you have removed their individual or joint vested interests, just watch the flood gates open in court cases, damages and justified awards. Sadly it will never be that simple, or for that matter happen, for obvious reasons.

Its hard to believe that Banking was once a Quaker Industry. Their belief was that money was only worth something if it was put to the common good. I suppose, in a way, it is these days as well; it goes to those that have plenty... and just want more. Their belief is that it's to their good, and to doubt that fact is common.

I am now waiting for more information on this matter. Once I have it you will be amazed at what did really go on with the Halifax Bank. (I know what went on..I am just waiting for confirmation from several sources for legal reasons).

Tired of phoning the Halifax Retail Fraud department on 0845 numbers? This is the number that the Police (when they can be bothered) and other Busines users use.

Its 01422 394994. Save yourself at least some money. Satisfaction? unlikely !!!!

Any comments in relation to this outfit gratefully received !!!

Since posting the above, I have been advised by ReallyMadWoman that if you make a complaint to the Assessor or the FOS about the FOS. Then your original complaint against the bank/whoever will then go on hold whilst they investigate your complaint about the FOS

 

So it may just be worth holding off until your original complaint has been completed.

I like the sounds of that.

Those of you who followed my previous posts will, no doubt, be interested in further developments.

These developments include The Halifax Bank, West Mercia Police, The Bank Of Ireland, The National Westminster Bank, the IPCC and Baydonhill. The other individual organisations involved will appear in peripheral parts of this story.

I wish to make it extremely clear from the outset of this story that, both the National Westminster Bank and Baydonhill, behaved without reproach from the very beginning. It was only with their combined help I was able to uncover some of the salient facts (although not all). The Bank Of Ireland acted as an intermediary and therefore they were only a conduit for funds that eventually reached Spain.

The National Westminster Bank provided me with cheques going back over a period of roughly five years. Going through these cheques and statements with the Branch Manager, he said he had found numerous dubious transactions, and that the signatures on the cheques in some cases diiffered from cheque to cheque. He also stated that it appeared from the account statements he had, that my fathers account had been systematically plundered (his words not mine).

The transactions in relation to Spain were, unfortunately, done through the Halifax Bank. I believed initially, because of the way the Halifax Bank prepare their statements, that there had in fact been a cash withdrawl of over 100k. The Halifax let me continue to believe this by firstly insisting that they could give no further information unless it was to my Solicitor. When I then employed a Solicitor they refused to deal with him unless my fathers Will had gone through probate.

What I then discovered was even stranger. It wasn't a cash withdrawl from the Halifax Bank but a BACS payment (thanks to Baydonhill). This had been done on a computer (also using a fax machine) by a partially sighted, 88 year old man who was, to all intents and purposes, illiterate. At this point in time, according to his medical records, he even had difficulty administering his own medication. He was also using various cash machines on a regular basis.

It became clear that something was patently wrong. 2 years later the Halifax Bank are still refusing to supply details of that transaction and the paperwork involved. This also includes the signatures in the DEAL with Baydonhill

West Mercia Police interviewed the alledged suspect, over the telephone, and asked him if he was involved. When he replied "no" they asked him to put it in writing and closed the case. Their actions were then subject to a formal complaint which they rejected. The complaint was upheld by the IPCC. A second complaint against West Mercia Police to the IPCC was dismissed. At this point in time, for legal reasons, I cannot go in to the background of this because a further complaint is pending.

The Halifax Bank are still refusing to supply details of this signature to a court appointed Administrator.

A handwriting expert has confirmed that the cheques from the National Westminster Bank are forged, but still needs the signature from the BACS payment (as a 'back-up'). This is the signature the Halifax Bank still refuse to supply. As a matter of interest West Mercia Police refused to have the cheques verified because it wasn't in the interests of the "Public Purse".

Remember this;

The fos did absolutely nothing.

IPCC cannot take new evidence on a previous complaint (even if it can be proved no prior investigation was made by the investigating force).

As a Beneficiary you have little or no rights to ascertain relevant or past financial dealings of a deceased party of which you are named in a Will.

West Mercia Police seemed more interested in the Public Purse than the Public Good. At no point in time did West Mercia Police approach or contact the Halifax Bank, The National Westminster Bank or Baydonhill.

As an Executor you have a right and a legal duty to the Estate to uncover all assets. The Halifax Bank refused to supply me with relevant

information although they were duty bound to do so. It's worth remembering that you are legally liable for discrepancies and any tax due

in the future.

If you are either an Executor or a Beneficiary and you cross paths with the Halifax Bank, be very, very careful. Double check everything and do not take no for an answer.

There is obviously more but for those of you interested have a look at www. Times Online beneficiary fraud.

Although it dates from 2005, you will be extremely surprised at the content. It's an excellent article, but more importantly, the people and costs involved are staggering. The then article promises drastic changes (by MP's of course) in a system that is flawed. No surprise then that in 2011 absolutely nothing has changed (although you can no longer, as an MP, purchase a 'duck house', get your Moat cleaned or claim allowances on a property owned by a family member).

Just to let you know I will be starting with part 3 of this story over the coming weekend (26th/27th of February 2011) its worth reading and might surprise some law abiding people.

Just to let you know I will be commencing part three of this story over this coming weekend. (26th/27th of February 2011) Its worth reading and might surprise some law abiding people

Look for part 3 26th/27th February 2011. Should at least make you wince and never, ever deal with the Halifax Bank again (assuming that you do)?

Its a sorry state of affairs in general. I had hoped to start Part 3 this weekend of my Saga.. but have had to delay everything till around the 5/6 th of March. Try and read it

Thanks

Had to delay this Saga till the 5th/6th of March. I have one further enquiry to make and then will make everything available.

I apologise for the delay in any kind of update on this matter recently. There have been several delays, all ending with a rather disturbing dead end. It came as no surprise when I was informed, by my Solicitor, that the Halifax Bank could find no signature in relation to monies withdrawn from a savings account for a BACS payment. For over two years, the Halifax Bank have used every trick in the book not to disclose this information. Now they say they cannot find it after dozens of requests going back to 2009. (Numerous complaints on this issue were totally ignored by the Halifax Bank over a two year period).

The issues raised are disturbing. It shows that the fos, who initially told the Halifax Bank to disclose this information to me, and then later stated that the Halifax Bank did not need to disclose this information to me at all, are culpable. The figures involved are now in the region of 150k, and my own allied enquiries go back to over a decade, in separate issues now involving the Halifax Bank

West Mercia Police? Having spoken with several seasoned Police Officers they found the whole issue quite bizarre. They had never in their service years heard of anybody being questioned over the telephone in a matter of fraud. EVER !. The question each one raised was simple. How would you know who you were talking to? (unless you knew them).

Its interesting to note that other organisations are now involved, and on some surprising new issues. However it is a salutory warning of what can happen if you do not question everything. The account in question was disclosed by honest local branch staff. The Halifax Bereavement Centre spent two years trying to make it go away. It hasn't trust me.

If you look at the Halifax Bereavement Centre Website it says "specialist advice relating to any account held with us". A total fallacy. Be very careful indeed !!!!!

www.timesonline.co.uk look at Wills and why you can be cheated !!

I cant find the link on The Times for Wills, do you have a direct link?

Checked the link initially and it appears to be broken. If you type in Google Times Wills and why you it comes up. Its an old article going back to 2005 but makes disturbing reading !

Think you replied to my original reply? It makes disturbing reading in the sense that, since 2005, the promised legislation has never appeared. No doubt with the economic downturn, this particular crime will increase even more

Yes, it seems to be a national problem rather than unique to those who experience it, although you feel it's so personal to you when your the victim. It's a disgrace..

If you look the word up in any dictionary, it seems to convey exactly what fraud pertaining to a deceased individual means..wicked...villainous. Just a few final words on this subject.

I never knew a man who could tell so many lies.

He had a different story for every pair of eyes.

How can he remember who he's talking to?

'Cause I know it ain't me, and I hope it isn't you.

Many thanks to Neil Young (1974).

Couldn't have put it better myself.

Whilst I have promised in the past to print the full story, this has not been possible for legal reasons. This is should be finalised in the coming weeks and then I will submit the story as an article.

Many thanks for all those who have helped with advice... but you can't beat a system with so many failings.