I have contacted A&L and they are going to file a financial hardship form to another department. They are going to call me within the next few days. She said that being on benefits will go in my favour. It was easier than I expected. The other option was to make payment arrangement but they would then close my account when it reached 0! I need that account as my other is in a worse state. I also contacted National Debtline who were really helpful and shed light on a few things I never knew - like I can make small token payments on a loan which is usually £48 per month. I just assumed I was stuck with having to pay that amount.

I think I am goping to draught a letter about reclaiming my charges. I know it will not be dealt with until the test case has been heard but at least if the banks lose I will get it back. The banks have gained the right to put a stay on dealing with reclaiming bank charges, does that mean we can put a stay on paying their charges? I think not.

Still don't know what to do. Are they likely to help me arrange some sort of payment? I mean, If I offered to pay them £20 per month will they stop the £5 per day charges? Otherwise, what would be the point? I am NOT going to keep giving them my money for nothing!

I have an account with A&L. They took £75 bank charges from me which put my account overdrawn. I do not have an overdraft facility and tried to get one to stop any charges being incurred from the last lot of charges. They rejected it. I am on JSA and do not have the money to bring my account back into the black and have since incurred a further £80 of charges. I will never be able to pay this debt as it gets more by the day. I was initially unaware of the new charges (£5 per day) as it was printed on my statement and I never noticed it. I haven't spoken to them as I know I'll get upset and angry and that won't get me anywhere. How can I stop this spiral of debt? I really have no spare money to put into an account for which I am still receiving a daily charge. I am about to start my own business dog grooming and will be on NEW DEAL where I will continue on Job seekers for six months. Any money the business makes will be held in an account with a joint signatory from Birmingham Chambers of Commerce so effectively I will be on benefits for the next 6 months. HELP. I'm sure the banks just love people like me - they're making money out of someone who has none!

I have an account with A&L. They took £75 bank charges from me which put my account overdrawn. I do not have an overdraft facility and tried to get one to stop any charges being incurred from the last lot of charges. They rejected it. I am on JSA and do not have the money to bring my account back into the black and have since incurred a further £80 of charges. I will never be able to pay this debt as it gets more by the day. I was initially unaware of the new charges (£5 per day) as it was printed on my statement and I never noticed it. I haven't spoken to them as I know I'll get upset and angry and that won't get me anywhere. How can I stop this spiral of debt? I really have no spare money to put into an account for which I am still receiving a daily charge. I am about to start my own business dog grooming and will be on NEW DEAL where I will continue on Job seekers for six months. Any money the business makes will be held in an account with a joint signatory from Birmingham Chambers of Commerce so effectively I will be on benefits for the next 6 months. HELP. I'm sure the banks just love people like me - they're making money out of someone who has none!

I had a debt with La Redoute who eventually passed it on to DROYDS DCA. I have been dutifully paying this bill but have just read a thread which appears that I wasn't obliged to. Can someone enlighten me? I only have a few months left but recently due to insufficient funds.....all £1.27 of it......the direct debit failed and they sent me a letter threatening me with court. I only missed one and I called them and paid straight away. Whay should I do about the rest of the debt and can I reclaim what I have already paid? Thanking you in advance Ashley:confused: