hells bellz vs barclays **WON**

[hellsbellz]

hi, i am having trouble finding out what address to send my initial request for data to. i called barclays and was given 3 different addresses. then they got peter townsend to call me and he said he will get the data sent out in "about a month due to so many requests" but i still want to send a letter to cover myself...help!

[bearo]

i used this one

 

customer relations

barclays bank plc

1 churchhill place

freepost

rtla-csue-tchc

london

e14 5hp

 

got to the right person as i have had coresspondance since- good luck!

[hellsbellz]

thanks so much fast pass! did u send it recorded delivery or normal?

[bearo]

i send it recorded delivery, but i have read a few posts here that say it doesnt really matter but for my own peace of mind i do it that way as then i know they have it and cannot lie about it being lost!

[hellsbellz]

I have now recieved some information back from Barclays. They have not stated which parts are bank charges and if manual intervention has taken place. Should I now send them another letter requesting further information? I think I can spot some charges as they appear as "paid referral fees" - is it enough them saying that? It's all pretty confusing! :?

[hellsbellz]

So far i am in the beginning stages with Barclays - was sent some info free of charge but it wasn't what i needed at all. I have a friend who works for Barclays Stockbrokers and she was amazed that they sent a print out of that system as she says they never send customers information in this format. I have re-sent my £10 cheque and a further letter (stating non compliance of Data Protection Act )by recorded delivery. I have an £800 overdraft at the minute though and am pretty concerned they will take it away and demand payment. Is this likely to happen and how far into my claim if so? :-|

 

ps this site is fantastic!

[victimnomore]

Don't be frightened .. .. that's what they want!!

 

I don't think they're allowed to demand overdraft repayment while you're "in dispute". If they try, just tell them to take it out of what THEY owe YOU (assuming it's more than your overdraft, of course).

 

They could close your account (though I haven't heard of Barclays doing that) but then they'd have to give you a month's notice and it wouldn't stop you claiming back your unlawful charges anyway.

 

You might want to look into opening up an account at another bank - it's a lot easier to change over than most people expect - and depending on what sort of deal you get, it could help your cashflow. If nothing else it's nice to experience banks being nice to you again - which of course they are to new customers!!

 

Anyway, welcome. Stick with "the programme" and you'll win.

[hellsbellz]

Thanks very much victimnomore - that's given me a much needed confidence boost to continue!

[hellsbellz]

Argh!!!!!!!!!! This is so annoying! Peter Townsend appears to be playing games...after sending my letter on 6th september reminding him that they have failed to provide me with a complete list of transactions and charges and notes about manual intervention taking place he has once again returned my £10 cheque and advised me that

"...the Data Protection Act does not oblige the Bank to comment about internal policies and preocedures. Furthermore, in the context of managing day to day transactions arising from out of order accounts, the Bank does not hold the information you have requested in a form that would be covered by the DPA. Whilst aggregated information is retained for statistical purposes, this would not constitute 'personal data' under the DPA"

What shall I do now?

[Spotted Dog]

This is astandard response from Barclays - you sould get your 6 years statements within 40 days. You will have to wait.

Please take the time to read other threads in the forum, it will give you a better understanding of how things work.

 

You will get your money but it takes a long time and you need to follow the step by step guide and read threads while you are waiting.

 

Spotty

[hellsbellz]

Thanks. Have been reading over threads a lot but a little confused as to the fact Barclays keep returning my £10 and saying that they are not under any obligation to send any more info. I know this is a delaying tactic but just unsure whether to now do nothing or continue pestering them. Sorry, this whole thing is hugely confusing to me. I am going to be far more careful with my banking in future to avoid all this! :-?

[hellsbellz]

bump

[hellsbellz]

*bump*

[essjaysea]

Did you actually receive all the statements that you required to work out the total amount? If not, then you must remind them that they have 40 days from the date of your original DPA letter, and advise them that if they do not comply with this timetable, you will report the matter to the Information Commissioner.

 

Their response to the manual intervention issue is a standard Barclays fob off

[hellsbellz]

Thanks for responding. I got some print outs off that micro fische system and was able to see some stuff like paid referrals and over my overdraft fees and worked it out to be over a thousand pounds but didn't receive anything else. I'm pretty sure there are more charges on the account that I can't indentify. Is that print out likely to be all I will get from Barclays?

[essjaysea]

No, you should receive at the very least copy statements for the period you requested.

 

Maybe write back to them, indentifying the statements you are missing, and remind them of their obligations under the DPA. They still have to come up with the information within the original 40 days

[hellsbellz]

Have got very sick of waiting for statements from Barclays - totted up what I could off those print outs and it adds up to £1,320...have filled in a spreadsheet and I know to send my first letter requesting payment with no interest added on it. But when I calculate the 8% interest at a later date, will I be claiming 8% a year or 8% on the total? :?

[Michael Browne]

Not exactly, it's 8% on each separate charge from the date of each charge to the date of filing at court.

 

Use the Simple s/s here:

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/182-interest-calculation-spreadsheets.html

 

Overwrite the existing type of charge, amount, date and the days since and 8% are calaculated automatically. Save it (for use at court), then delete/hide the last 2 columns and print off as your schedule

[hellsbellz]

Thanks Michael! One more question...does this sound ok to add to my request for repayment of charges letter? :

 

I calculate that you have taken £1320.

I enclose a schedule of the charges, which I am claiming with this letter.I have omitted the sum of £20 (that was issued on 19th June 2003) from these charges as, after querying being charged £40 for being £1.95 over my overdraft, my account was credited with £20 on 3rd July 2003.

 

 

 

 

[victimnomore]

Yes, sounds O.K. But you don't really need it, if the charge has been refunded then just leave it out of your claim.

[hellsbellz]

Yeah I probably am probably giving too much info as I have left the charge off my spreadsheet and total anyways - bit daunted by all this and scared if I mess it up the edit u-know-whats will get away with my money! Shocking to think i have lived in debt for so long that was made worse by barclays illegal and immoral behaviour!

 

 

**Moderator note, post edited due to some libelous content.

[victimnomore]

Of course the banks have the right to charge their customers for their services, it's just business to do so.

 

What is evil, and I do mean evil, though is to dump all the charges on those who are overdrawn - the very people who can afford it least - the very people who need the bank's help the most. The effect is to victimise the customers who "get into debt" and to make them feel guilty for being "poor with money". With their bullying and patronizing they destroy their victims confidence. And all the while their own charges are pushing those same customers deeper into debt.

[hellsbellz]

Yeah, during the past 6 years there have been times when I had to get benefits and half of those were being swallowed up by bank fees on an overdraft that only existed cos of bank charges. I was terrible with money and I have learnt as I have grown up a bit to be more careful but when I went to try and sort my debts out with the bank they tried the hard sell on credit cards and loans. I know they are a business but you can still make money from people ethically...

[victimnomore]

I've been on benefits myself - Income Support - for several years now. There have been times, several times actually, when my fortnightly benefit payment has gone into my account has been completely swallowed by my overdraft leaving me with nothing to withdraw to feed my family with for the next fortnight. And it's ALL been due to unlawful charges - without them I wouldn't have been overdrawn even once during at least the last seven years. Barclays (but, it seems, all the banks are the same) have hurt me in ways that I can NEVER forgive.

 

The problem was the invention of "free" banking. It was a brilliant sales idea - it got them loads of new customers - but a lousy marketing idea because of the problem it left them with. Banking can't be free, so they had to find someone (some mugs!) to pay for it, hence the viscious charges on the most vulnerable coupled with bullying and patronizing to make sure they didn't complain.

 

So now it's time to hit back isn't it?

 

Victim no more!!

[hellsbellz]

Definitely! The reign of the fat cats is coming to and end - power to the people!