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Sent prelim letter to A&L 3 weeks ago. Got a standard reply within 2 weeks saying that I would get a response within 28 days. Sorry A&L, not good enough - we're setting the time limits here!
So, after 14 days were up since they would have received my prelim letter, I sent my letter before action. Had letter back today - 5 days later! - saying they have refunded our account with the money...BUT...
"the charges are correct and legal, they were applied in accordance to our charging policy...we believe our charges are reasonable and competitive compared to the industry [what, the loan shark industry?], however as a gesture of goodwill, I have refunded your account....I must stress that any future correctly applied charges will stand." Well no worries there because we are moving our bank account.
They have also put, and this is the bit I could do with a bit of expert advice on - "there has been no consultation between the banking industry and the OFT about current accounts. If there is any industry wide consultation on this matter, A&L will participate as appropriate". Is this true? I read in the paper this last weekend that the banks had been talked to by OFT and that their responses were due this week.
This all started, by the way, when A&L charged us £25 incorrectly - a DD came out of our account in the morning but, because they don't process their credits until the afternoon (even though the credit was an immediate online transfer from another account with them), there wasn't enough money to cover the DD so they charged us £25! And the annoying thing is, before they charged us £25, there was enough money to cover the DD going out! They paid us this £25 back a few days later after I contacted them, blood boiling, again "as a gesture of goodwill", then charged us another £25 at the end of the month for going overdrawn during the above scenario! Unreal.
Anyone reading this who is considering getting an A&L account - don't bother. Their interest rates and "free" overdrafts are given out with one hand and snatched straight back with the other.
They have also put, and this is the bit I could do with a bit of expert advice on - "there has been no consultation between the banking industry and the OFT about current accounts. If there is any industry wide consultation on this matter, A&L will participate as appropriate". Is this true? I read in the paper this last weekend that the banks had been talked to by OFT and that their responses were due this week.
The OFT consultation was only referring to Credit Card charges for the time being. Doesn't make much difference what the OFT say though as the charges are unlawful.
Opinions given herein are made informally by myself as a lay-person in good faith based on personal experience. For legal advice you must always consult a registered and insured lawyer.
"Some people say The Stig chews on spark plugs and drifts while walking. Some say he is terrified of ducks, and that there is an airport in Russia named after him. All we know is that he is really barracad from The Consumer Action Group" - Jeremy Clarkson (allegedly)
When the Liberals and Conservatives were in opposition they both agreed that banks should pay back high bank charges to customers. Nothing seems to of happened since they came into power as a coalition. PPI insurance has been sorted now they should turn their attention to bank charges and help customers get exorbitant charges refunded.
Should you be offered help that requires payment please report it to site team.
Alliance & Leicester Moneyclaim issued 20/1/07 £225.50 full settlement received 29 January 2007
Smile £1,075.50 + interest Email request for payment 24/5/06 received £1,000.50 14/7/06 + £20 30/7/06
Yorkshire Bank Moneyclaim issued 21/6/06 £4,489.39 full settlement received 26 January 2007
Advice & opinions given by Caro are personal, are not endorsed by Consumer Action Group or Bank Action Group, and are offered informally, without prejudice & without liability. Your decisions and actions are your own, and should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.
Well keep on at them - they're obviously paying out in some cases. Remember, mine was only a nominal amount of £25 (they had already repaid £50 earlier this year before I started the official Consumer Group Action. Have you got much to claim back from them?
Let us know how you get on. I've just got Barclays Bank and MBNA to go now and they both got sent lba's at the same time as A&L. Watch this space.
When the Liberals and Conservatives were in opposition they both agreed that banks should pay back high bank charges to customers. Nothing seems to of happened since they came into power as a coalition. PPI insurance has been sorted now they should turn their attention to bank charges and help customers get exorbitant charges refunded.
Should you be offered help that requires payment please report it to site team.
Alliance & Leicester Moneyclaim issued 20/1/07 £225.50 full settlement received 29 January 2007
Smile £1,075.50 + interest Email request for payment 24/5/06 received £1,000.50 14/7/06 + £20 30/7/06
Yorkshire Bank Moneyclaim issued 21/6/06 £4,489.39 full settlement received 26 January 2007
Advice & opinions given by Caro are personal, are not endorsed by Consumer Action Group or Bank Action Group, and are offered informally, without prejudice & without liability. Your decisions and actions are your own, and should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.
Got A&L Charges Back
. Had letter back today - 5 days later! - saying they have refunded our account with the money...BUT...
, I have refunded your account....I must stress that any future correctly applied charges will stand." Well no worries there because we are moving our bank account.
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Re: Got A&L Charges Back
Originally Posted by pennies_make_pounds
