WormHasTurned v Woolwich

[WormHasTurned]

Well just sent of my Subject Access Request request to Woolwich.

This one's been on the back-burner, but last night's Whistleblower programme has prompted me into action.

	Subject Access Request A Subject Access Request is a demand which you can make to any organisation to disclose any personal information which they hold on you. The right to disclosure of data is provided by the Data Protection Act. There is no time limit. The organisation is obliged to reveal everything they have about you - which you ask for - as far back as you ask for. There are very few exceptions. It does not matter whether the data is held on microfiche, in an archive, on tape, in a cardex system, in sound recordings or in screen notes. Some companies are saying that they do not have to disclose where it would be difficult to do so - "disproportionate effort". This is untrue. Disproportionate effort refers to something else under the Act. If you are seeking bank charges information then you should ask for "all data held on you" and you should make it clear that you want everything as far back as it goes. Do not be put off by excuses. Do not accept being fobbed off. It is not in your bank's interest to make full disclosure to you. This means that it is in your interests to get it. If you have not started gathering your bank charges information yet, then you should start now. There will soon be a big rush once the OFT test case has been settled. Get all of your bank account informtion as far back as possible. At least as far back as 1995. If your bank says that they don't keep data as far back as this, don't accept it. Be persistent. They've got what you need in some form or other.

[welshcakes]

Hi WHT

I see you've been a CAG member since December - have you done any other claims or is this the first?

[WormHasTurned]

Hi Welshcakes Thanks for asking. This is my first 'just charges' claim as such; but having read the forum for several weeks I feel more empowered to do it.

My other litigation has been involving a credit card and CCA agreement.

[WormHasTurned]

Had an initial acknowledgement on Barclays letterhead, returning my cheque 'As the bank is providing this information on a complimentary basis..' then a further letter 6 days later on Openplan headed paper advising they were investigating the issues raised and when they would aim to provide an answer. (strange as the account is neither Barclays or Openplan)

Letter arrived today enclosing details of all charges applied to the account since 2001 - just over £500. 'If you have any further queries please contact me on 01255 477032 with your security details'.

Is it worth a phone call asking for it all back, or should I just plough on with the standard letters?

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[debbiVwoolwich]

did they not make you an offer ? its seems the woolwich is making a 75% offer as standard , I phoned as was told reply to Subject Access Request should be with me today, phoned them and was told "offer letter posted yesterday offering £1849 " as I was expecting arounf 2500 it would equate to the 1849 at the 75%. waiting for the letter b4 i make decison.

	Subject Access Request A Subject Access Request is a demand which you can make to any organisation to disclose any personal information which they hold on you. The right to disclosure of data is provided by the Data Protection Act. There is no time limit. The organisation is obliged to reveal everything they have about you - which you ask for - as far back as you ask for. There are very few exceptions. It does not matter whether the data is held on microfiche, in an archive, on tape, in a cardex system, in sound recordings or in screen notes. Some companies are saying that they do not have to disclose where it would be difficult to do so - "disproportionate effort". This is untrue. Disproportionate effort refers to something else under the Act. If you are seeking bank charges information then you should ask for "all data held on you" and you should make it clear that you want everything as far back as it goes. Do not be put off by excuses. Do not accept being fobbed off. It is not in your bank's interest to make full disclosure to you. This means that it is in your interests to get it. If you have not started gathering your bank charges information yet, then you should start now. There will soon be a big rush once the OFT test case has been settled. Get all of your bank account informtion as far back as possible. At least as far back as 1995. If your bank says that they don't keep data as far back as this, don't accept it. Be persistent. They've got what you need in some form or other.

[WormHasTurned]

I've sent off the standard 'asking for it back' letter by recorded delivery. Included their list of my charges + a sum for overdraft interest I've incurred because of the charges.

Let's hope it hits the right desk where they are agreeing to refund, and not the one where they make you do back flips and jump through hoops between episodes of watching paint dry.

	Are you letting your bank keep your money Are you giving away thousands of pounds?? Many people aren't claiming all of the money they are entitled to when they make their bank charges claims. You have been forced to pay unfair bank charges. Have you forgotten that your bank has charged you inteest on those charges? If you are overdrawn and the bank owes you charges - then your overdraft is made up of charges - money which you bank owes you. Yet you are paying interest to the bank - on your own money!!! Follow this link to see the discussions on this. You might even double th size of your claim.

[Mumofthreeboys]

Unfortunately, you are dealing with the Woolwich / Barclays and they are slower than something that is really, really slow. Unless you are 10 days or less from court, they won't want anything to do with you.

[debbiVwoolwich]

yes I got a reply to my email saying not interested, as this stage i could do with the 1894.00 so have sent off the acceptance letter, however i aim to go all the way with capital one, citibank and the abbey

[WormHasTurned]

Well they closed my Woolwich account over the weekend, and I am now officially Barclays.

Just one problem - I got a mini-statement which shows that a DD went out the day after I transferred to Barclays - then came back again the same day unpaid. I have a pretty heavy overdraft, but there was enought for it to clear.

Popped into my nearest Barclays branch on Saturday - and they couldn't understand why it hadn't cleared either.

BUT WHAT REALLY ANNOYED ME - THE REJECTED DD WAS FOR CAR INSURANCE - AND HE PROMPLY TRIED TO SELL ME BARCLAY'S INSURANCE. (sorry for shouting) - even thought I said -'please don't try to sell me anything - he just went ahead.

	Are you letting your bank keep your money Are you giving away thousands of pounds?? Many people aren't claiming all of the money they are entitled to when they make their bank charges claims. You have been forced to pay unfair bank charges. Have you forgotten that your bank has charged you inteest on those charges? If you are overdrawn and the bank owes you charges - then your overdraft is made up of charges - money which you bank owes you. Yet you are paying interest to the bank - on your own money!!! Follow this link to see the discussions on this. You might even double th size of your claim.

	Car Insurance

[WormHasTurned]

So I now have my reply to my letter to Woolwich in London, now with new
Barclays reference from Leicester.

'I am sorry you are unhappy with the charges you have incurred. Your comments are receiving attention and one of my team will contact you as soon as possible. May I take this opportunity to explain that whilst we endeavour to respond to you within timescale outlined in your letter, we cannot guarantee we will do so. Sometimes it takes longer to fully investigate a complaint. However we do aim to find a solution within four weeks ... etc etc.

I guess this is pretty standard stuff. Given their reply I'm considering seeing what 'solution' they come up with before deciding on further action. (I can hear you all saying 'stick to your timetable, not theirs - but if I don't like the solution and it can't be negotiated to my satisfaction, I'll continue with litigation) - and OK I've lost a few weeks, but hey, interest will be added.

[welshcakes]

Hi WHT

Yep, standard automated reply letter. I wonder if they are actually competely reading the correspondence piling in from customers or simply speed reading so they know which "pile" to put it in.

I too found they are changing the complaint reference 'midstream' which is a bit daft from their point of view as it surely makes it harder for them to marry up the complete paper trail of a case - but then again, perhaps this is irrelevant to them as they have never got to the point, to my knowledge, of actually constructing a court bundle defence.

I take it you are today sending your LBA?

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