banls are refusing to wave charges i know that and the dwp are not givinng crisis loans its utter madness.

Maybe there are regional policies then ?

I have written to the Social Security minister asking for a response.

if its regional policys then this is summing that needs looking at.

Iam not being funny but as u can understand we have familys in this area that are still waiting over 16 weeks since being made redundant that have had NO money and being told to claim back all bank charges to get money.

Okay everyone I'm going to give you some personal details about 'me' here....

What with being un-employed for way too long I became depressed. I visited my GP who was so concerned she called me the next day and made an appointment for me with a counsellor. So I went to the appointment and after 2 weeks got a letter. The letter said that as they could not communicate with me by post (amazing as I was reading their letter) or phone and my appointment and case was closed. My GP also got a copy and I called to explain that I attended the appointment!

It transpired that the 'nutter' (as I call them in jest) department had ticked the wrong box and sent out (of course) the wrong letter! What shocks me is that whilst I never did take the tablets eventually prescribed to me, that if I was a vunerable person, I'd probably have 'topped' myself and no one would care!! The start to finish stuff took all of 6 weeks!

If we translate that to the DWP and banks we see the same evidence in that too. They do not care, could not care and ... wished you like, went away/vanished.

Michael

(now feeling on top of the world but still poor and un-employed)

if its regional policys then this is summing that needs looking at.

 

Iam not being funny but as u can understand we have familys in this area that are still waiting over 16 weeks since being made redundant that have had NO money and being told to claim back all bank charges to get money.

I agree GM and know you are not being funny-theres nothing funny about what you speak of.

But I can assure you that I know of at least 3 people who have had crisis loans recently followinghaving no money because the bank took it for charges-in fact I am personally assisting two with FOS complaints to get the charges back...so have seen the paperwork.

I saw today a post in the general forum (Hardship applications) where there are people who have made complaints to the FSA questioning waivers where banks are not being compliant.

If everyone complained then things would change-they would be forced to look at it.

I have had involvement in quite a few hardship requests and Lloyds come out way in front as the worst culprits for ignoring them.

From experience Halifax BOS are prob the most compliant-but only when its clear that you HAVE gone to the FOS.

Amazingly theres many been put off doing it because of the bad vibes and publicity-despite the FOS taking on more peeps to handle increased complaints.

But I take your point.....there should be no need to be involving regulators when the waiver criteria already spells things out.

they have all been taking the p**s just as they have been doing with the charges themselves for years.

....and I'm afraid that's the voluntary things as banks use and see them (to their advantage). The DWP could well have suggested something but as I've dealt with them, they have no interest and their interest does not surprise me.

However a visit to a branch and a face to face talk might be a good idea. If you find things not going your way and they will not budge then you can always resort to the 'raised voice' method when stating they have stolen your benefits. If there's one thing a bank dislikes it's that of others hearing how they treat people. You could of course refuse to leave the bank unless they refund your money as a last resort.

It's quite ironic that taxpayers money supported the bank only to find the same taxpayers money is charged in fees. Again it comes down to what's fair and what's not fair and who decides and in this case it's the bank themselves!

I can still remember a few years ago when a bank upset someone. They took legal action and the court was in their favour. As the respective bank did not conform the baliffs arrived and began removing items - they conformed within a few minutes after that. Wish I knew where the story was now.

Michael

(having flashbacks of his DWP under caution interview)

Ive neen in several times and just basically been told to go away!! Ive been going round i circles with them now for over a month with ltters. there latest is asking for a breakdown of my in/out goings even though i sent them that with the original letter which got ignored. Ive told them i will expect there next letter to be there final responce then its off to the ombudsman.

Ive neen in several times and just basically been told to go away!! Ive been going round i circles with them now for over a month with ltters. there latest is asking for a breakdown of my in/out goings even though i sent them that with the original letter which got ignored. Ive told them i will expect there next letter to be there final responce then its off to the ombudsman.

Seriously I have experienced it and they are not really bothered! OTOH if all the people aggreived made a stance they would look up and listen.

I have a good friend who tells me she has been 'cheated' as she sees it BUT will not say a word. I'm afraid that banks reply on this to win the day.

The end result is that of letters and replies by standard template design. Personally I think writing a 'screed' (as I normally do) makes no difference than simply sending a letter saying 'I do not agree'. The reply is just a emplate letter that is rather generic than relevant to your initial complaint. They just tell you to 'whatever' with the belief you will get bored and do nothing - and that's the real problem!

Michael

well ive had it all before with halifax. It took me six months of going round in circles but i got 700 odd back in the end. I just basically said to the woman in the branch if you look at your records you will see i am not just going to go away so why not just make it easier and pay it back now?! lol she wasnt impressed. but yeah im not gonna give up or get bored;)

Always worth keeping in mind - if you have them in your area - Credit union accounts. Take the business away from the banks if at all possible.

If any one finds this works for them it may be worth posting to help others.

Oh for the days when My parents got paid - split the money into tobacco tins for bills and spent what was left. And my dad was very poorly paid. I dont like the fact that we are all pushed in to using DD - To me as long as a bil is paid why should it matter how it is done?

Always worth keeping in mind - if you have them in your area - Credit union accounts. Take the business away from the banks if at all possible.

 

If any one finds this works for them it may be worth posting to help others.

 

Oh for the days when My parents got paid - split the money into tobacco tins for bills and spent what was left. And my dad was very poorly paid. I dont like the fact that we are all pushed in to using DD - To me as long as a bil is paid why should it matter how it is done?

ideed and most companies charge you if you dont use direct debit!!!

We bank with Nationwide,and are trying to claim our charges back due to financial hardship,now made a complaint to the FOS as Nationwide keep fobbing me off with excuses as to why its not been resolved but they have stopped taking charges out of our benefits.

Last letter received from them stated "The Financial Services Authority allows us 8 weeks to investigate before you have the right to ask the Financial Ombudsman to reveiw your case.This ends on 4 th October(original complaint made on the 21st July) and we expect to be able to reply to you by then if not sooner.".....guess what?...not a dickie bird from them.

We bank with Nationwide,and are trying to claim our charges back due to financial hardship,now made a complaint to the FOS as Nationwide keep fobbing me off with excuses as to why its not been resolved but they have stopped taking charges out of our benefits.

Last letter received from them stated "The Financial Services Authority allows us 8 weeks to investigate before you have the right to ask the Financial Ombudsman to reveiw your case.This ends on 4 th October(original complaint made on the 21st July) and we expect to be able to reply to you by then if not sooner.".....guess what?...not a dickie bird from them.

No suprises there!!! I would close my bank account if i didnt need it. The post office account is a bit of a joke you can use it to get your benefits payed into BUT you cant get your housing benefit payed into it. So its sort of pointless:evil:

You could always change banks. Most banks operate a basic account which anyone can open, although they don't generally allow overdrafts, but that's no bad thing.

We bank with Nationwide,and are trying to claim our charges back due to financial hardship,now made a complaint to the FOS as Nationwide keep fobbing me off with excuses as to why its not been resolved but they have stopped taking charges out of our benefits.

Last letter received from them stated "The Financial Services Authority allows us 8 weeks to investigate before you have the right to ask the Financial Ombudsman to reveiw your case.This ends on 4 th October(original complaint made on the 21st July) and we expect to be able to reply to you by then if not sooner.".....guess what?...not a dickie bird from them.

The real problem with Financial Hardship claims is that totally voluntary in respect of the bank to give you anything. With the stay in place they will tell you they will follow guidelines (FSA section 14 from memory) however sadly there's nothing that can force them to give you anything if they decide they don't want to.

Michael

The real problem with Financial Hardship claims is that totally voluntary in respect of the bank to give you anything. With the stay in place they will tell you they will follow guidelines (FSA section 14 from memory) however sadly there's nothing that can force them to give you anything if they decide they don't want to.

Michael

yep the whole situation is one big farce!! what annoys me is were now not allowed to claim the charge back until the court case goes ahead yet the banks can still charge!!:evil:

I am tired of the bank taking money and I don't have enough benefits

this is something that could help a great deal but it appears that the debt collection company kpr have a no withdrawals order on my account.

kpr are acting for nationwide on a seperate account (creditcard)

Hi Demeaned, and welcome to CAG.

If you haven't got enough money coming in (from benefits or anywhere else) the bank cannot start taking it. If you look at my post 993 above it lists the things you must be allowed to pay before they can start to take your money.

You could open a basic bank account and get payments made into that instead.

zararh, you could still get a basic bank account for the housing benefit and pay it straight out of that account, even if you use the the post office account for everything else.

DD

Hi Demeaned, and welcome to CAG.

 

If you haven't got enough money coming in (from benefits or anywhere else) the bank cannot start taking it. If you look at my post 993 above it lists the things you must be allowed to pay before they can start to take your money.

 

You could open a basic bank account and get payments made into that instead.

 

zararh, you could still get a basic bank account for the housing benefit and pay it straight out of that account, even if you use the the post office account for everything else.

 

DD

Hi,

I find this wholely depends on if the banks want to listen, in my case Halifax wont. They took £70 of my £90 income support Monday.... of which I should of paid £60 towards my rent account that is in arrears and by court order ! was told, in no uncertain terms.. tough, charges stand. They even took the charges before my benefit went in to ensure I had to pay it.

I think what 'Desperate Daniella' said probably sums it all up!

Open a basic account (definate) - if you google you'll find many sites with comparison lists. If it's possible try not to have Direct Debits or Standing Orders applied. I have both a LoydsTSB and Co-Operative basic account after my bank told me they'd be closing our account - they still have not but that's academic. Both LloydsTSB and the Co-Operative allow over the phone bank account opening with a zero balance. Be aware that the Co-Operative will request you NI number and will also enter data onto CRA's.

As '2ltr16valve' (I like that name lol) said it all depends on how the bank listens (and sees cash entering/leaving the account). As I mentioned earlier there is nothing to 'force' a bank to entertain a Financial Hardship claim if they do not want to.

Michael

(who will now get off his soapbox)

I love the name too.

2ltr, have you actually spoken to FOS?

I love the name too.

 

2ltr, have you actually spoken to FOS?

Yes, all they say is "we are not policy makers, we can only advise" LOL WTF ! Although DID say, The bank can NOT take charges out of benefits... ? yet the banks seem to think differently. All their calls are recorded as well so they cant really deny saying it... (nothing would surprise me though)

I have two complaints against halifax at present and in the recent reply basiclly says, they can take charges from what they like and they do not see I am in hardship.... but sent me an Income and Expenditure form.. ? Now if they take £70 of a £90 p.w income, that leaves me in a sticky position with a partner, 3 children and a court order to pay X amount towards our rent arrears plus normal weekly cost... yet they just ignored that totally. Taking their charges in place of me paying priority debts.

Ty about me username too

Yes, all they say is "we are not policy makers, we can only advise" LOL WTF ! Although DID say, The bank can NOT take charges out of benefits... ? yet the banks seem to think differently. All their calls are recorded as well so they cant really deny saying it... (nothing would surprise me though)

 

 

I have two complaints against halifax at present and in the recent reply basiclly says, they can take charges from what they like and they do not see I am in hardship.... but sent me an Income and Expenditure form.. ? Now if they take £70 of a £90 p.w income, that leaves me in a sticky position with a partner, 3 children and a court order to pay X amount towards our rent arrears plus normal weekly cost... yet they just ignored that totally. Taking their charges in place of me paying priority debts.

 

 

Ty about me username too

I am also living only on benefits and about to hit my bank with £12-15,000 of bank charges!!!!!! I have opened an online bank account and slowly started transferring my benefit payments there, also 3 essential DD's. Have stopped paying all creditors and just coping with priority debts. I have spent the afternoon looking at various I&E forms and they all seem to vary with Expenditure..... the first I&E I ever sent was to MBNA who said that £600 p.m. was too much for a family of 4 to spend on groceries:eek:

Is there anywhere a guide to how much expenditure is considered normal?

Welcome to the site Grant.

You are certainly free to go for all charges-since you have now started work it may be difficult to file a complaint with the FOS for hardship.

You need to file a claim in Court ASAP.

If you already know the total charges and dates then you would just need to either send a prelim letter followed by a letter before action,or else just send a 28 day letter before action.

At least you will have a claim in the system while time allows.

If you have not got all your statements or figures with dates,then you will have to send a SAR.

 

Pity you didnt do this earlier as you would have been ok for fee remission.

Hi Martin3030 I have not started work yet, still waiting for a start date (they are so slow running their checks etc) and I expect to be working for the DWP within a couple of weeks, Also I actually do have a claim in for my bank charges and have done for some time, only thing is I don't remember the exact amount I claimed and have since realised I am due much more, at least I think I am as if this money is found to be owed to me then it would of course be in my account and covering the overdraft on my main account which Natwest are charging me interest of 28 pounds a month, so I should be claiming for this too shouldn't I? as my account has been in the red for 18 months or so now.

If I call the banks and ask how much I have claimed would they be able to tell me and can I review this amount in light of the more information I now have thanks to this site.

So what is fee remission as maybe I can look into this. (my other posts are on page 49) Thanks for all of your help

the first I&E I ever sent was to MBNA who said that £600 p.m. was too much for a family of 4 to spend on groceries:eek:

 

Is there anywhere a guide to how much expenditure is considered normal?

Might be a good idea to telephone National Debtline and see what they have to say about expenditure.