Woolwich offer

My update: I successfully claimed £1900 back from HSBC and then started against Woolwich on behalf of my partner. I filed my claim on Moneyclaim a couple of weeks ago and now they've offered £360 out of just over £700. Almost tempted to just take it as they seem like the most evil bank in the world for just dragging it out and hoping people can't afford to pursue it. On the returns survey it looks like they've managed to hardly pay anyone. Words of encouragement would be appreciated.....

[closey]

Ok Billy Bob,

Don't do it!

Do not accept that offer. They have acted unlawfully and you are legally entitled to take action, claim what is yours with interest.

There are several reasons why the survey results may not look encourraging. Firstly, lots of people may have settled but agreed to confidentiality between them and Woolwich prohibiting them from then coming to this site and reporting to the rest of us. Lots of people also don't bother to complete the survey when they win, and others don't come back to this site when they win.

If you accept the offer this is a small victory for the bank. This is what they want. They want people to be scared of them, take the offer and run. The thing is you are part of a community that will be there with you every step of the way, backing you up, supporting you and encourraging you.

The process may well be long winded, but think of the satisfaction when you win, and have £700 rather than £360.

Stick with it. If it ever feels too much PM me.

[austenpowers]

I say stick wit it too. You are entitled to £700 - NOT £360.

But this is an interesting point you have raised and one that has been giving me concern. I have 2 cases going at the moment, one with the Woolwich and one with Nationwide, so I primarily read those 2 particular forums. Everyday it seems there are people reporting their success on the Nationwide forum but I can hardly recall any (or at least that I can remember) on this forum. But as Closey says, this is probably to do with the conditions Woolwich are attaching to their settlements. It would be more encouraging to read of others success to establish an idea of how the Woolwich are playing it and at what stage to expect the whole process to go, but we mustn't give in and must see it to the end to reclaim what is rightfully ours!

Or at least that's what I like to think, anyway.. Best of luck!

[closey]

Put it this way, Woolwich must have settled before court otherwise we would know about it. I think they are attaching conditions with settlement. I for one will not abide with this and will let the world know when I win!

I am definitely going to go for it, as obviously I paid my court fee as well so their offer is even less generous.
I really would like to know of anyone else who has won though, even if they're anonymous, because they seem to be playing a very different game to HSBC.

And sorry, should have said: thank you for posting your replies - its given me a bit more spark to keep going - even if I'm going to have to pay out for bailiffs too...

[moonie]

As someone who's reached the stage of filing action against the Woolwich, i have to say it's been a really hard slog. Every step of the way they have thrown up excuses and employed delaying tactics. First you have to deal with the Woolwich, then they pass you up to Barclays ... they have so many different departments .. it really is a maze and they play on this fact.

My advice to anyone dealing with the Woolwich (learnt from experince now) do not get drawn in by their game, DO NOT DEFER from your deadlines .. stick to them and see it through.

There are a few of us at the closing stages, so hopefully we will see some big increases in payouts from the Woolwich very soon.

Does anyone have a good template for 'I don't want £360, I want £700'? letter to go back to Woolwich refusing their offer?

[closey]

I write in reference to your letter dated xxxxxxx.

I confirm that I accept your offer of the sum of £360 as an interim payment against the full amount requested, but not as a full and final settlement. Please contact me so that I can confirm which account I would like this to be paid into and to confirm a date by which this payment will be made.

I now give you a further 14 days from the date of this letter to return the remaining £340 (total amount £700) and confirm what date payment will be made.


Failure to respond positively to my request, within this time frame, will leave me no alternative than to issue a claim. After that there will be no further communication from me.

They will write back saying that was their final offer.

Looking forward in earnest to hearing from you.

[essjaysea]

This is a letter I sent to Woolwich/Barclays refusing their offer...hope it helps

Laurence White
Customer Relations
Barclays Bank PLC
Freepost RLTA-CSUE-TCHC
Head Office Customer Relations
London
E14 5HP


6th July 2006
Your Ref: XXXXXXXX

Dear Mr White

Re: Account No: XXXXXXXX

I am in receipt of your letter of 4th July 2006, and note the contents.

I refer in particular to your offer of 210.00 in full and final settlement of my claim of 522.50. I do not consider this to be a fair and reasonable offer, in the light of your inability to prove the actual loss suffered by The Woolwich, as a result of unpaid direct debits and standing orders on the above numbered account.

If you are prepared to provide documentary evidence of the actual loss that has been incurred then I will be in a position to assess your offer properly.

In the meantime, I do not accept your offer of 210.00 unless this is classed as an interim payment, in which case I reserve the right to pursue the balance of the claim by whatever means I see fit.

As you chose not to respond to my letter of 19th June 2006, within the time frame set out in that letter and my previous letter of 5th June 2006, I was obliged to issue court proceedings against The Woolwich on 4th July 2006. My claim, therefore, has now increased to 824.75, including statutory interest pursuant to section 69 of the County Courts Act, and Court costs.

Clearly it is not in the interests of either of us to pursue the matter through the court system, as this will waste both time and money for each party involved. Having closely followed numerous similar cases against financial institutions for unlawful removal of funds from customer accounts since early 2006, I note with interest that, without exception, either judgment has been awarded against the defendants, or the defendants have settled in full prior to judgment.

Please be aware that I am determined to proceed with the litigation that I have instigated unless you are prepared unconditionally to settle this claim for 824.75 in full.

Yours sincerely,

Great - thanks - will let you know what happens next.

[Mumofthreeboys]

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

Great - thanks - will let you know what happens next.

I can tell you what will happen next

They will write back withdrawing their offer. They have done this to me. I've just filled in my AQ for court so you are right in that they drag, drag and drag some more.

But hey ho, I know they can't hold out much longer and at least I'm earning interest and now I can also claim back the £100 to file the AQ too!!

They didn't write taking back their offer, but I've just had the questionnaire and sent it back. Hopefully they'll pay out soon.

[Jm1]

15.8.06 - Hi, I'm just about to send my Data Protection Act Request to the Woolwich today. After reading all your comments on the Woolwich and how hard it is to reach a settlement with them, I'm a bit scared to start the ball rolling - I may need some hand holding. J

[closey]

Hello and welcome,

Make sure you start by reading the FAQ’s here:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.c o.uk/forum/faqs-please-read-these/

The letter templates you’ll need are here:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.c o.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/

And guidance notes are here:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.c o.uk/forum/guidance-notes/

You need to spend some time reading through threads in the woolwich forum. They may take it right up to a court date being booked, so it is a lengthy process. You must also be aware that your case may go to court.

Finally start a thread in the bank forum relevant to you. That way you can keep a timeline of your progress and receive help and support where needed.

Best of luck with your claim.

[Mumofthreeboys]

Originally Posted by Jm1

15.8.06 - Hi, I'm just about to send my Data Protection Act Request to the Woolwich today. After reading all your comments on the Woolwich and how hard it is to reach a settlement with them, I'm a bit scared to start the ball rolling - I may need some hand holding. J

You'll be fine as long as you read around like closey says, but I'll hold your hand if you want