Thanks for that, Stewpot. Looks like I might be hitting the proverbial dead end with this one. Unless anyone knows otherwise???

Anyone?

I've just got off the phone from Nationwide. I've requested statements back for the whole life of the account which takes us back to around 1984/85. They've refused point blank, claiming that they are only legally required to keep six years worth, so (surprise, surprise), they only keep six years worth. (Never heard such rot in all my life). I'm sure if I was subject to an Inland Revenue or money laundering investigation, they'd miraculously manage to "find" all the statements. Any ideas from anyone who knows the law???

By the way, I'm just a little bit worried. How much do you mean by "substantial" costs ??? :-?

In my court papers, I stated the usual, ie, Unfair terms in Consumer Contracts, that the charges were actually a penalty and contravened the law in that they are profitable to the banks. So if we get as far as going to court, are they going to get a brief off his backside for a two grand case?

Had statements, claiming £1550 plus 8% plus £120 court costs. Filed court papers (served on 5th March) - recieved notice of intention to defend, giving them 28 days (Monday 2nd April). Phoned today to give them chance to settle, they won't settle as they've lodged a defence. What happens now?

In for a penny, as they say... I'm sending a further request to the Data Protection team today, asking for details of the rest of my penalty charges or copies of my statements back to when I opened the account, which was around 1983 or '84. I have a real axe to grind with Nationwide. I've been unfortunate enough to have been made redundant three times in the last six years and every time I've been out of work and requested help, they seem to have taken great pleasure in kicking a man when he's down. I'm currently claiming around £1500 from the last six years, have had the usual letters from the usual people, and will be issuing court papers tomorrow (Friday). I'd appreciate any help or advice with this from the moderators, or anyone else for that matter and I'm not sure if I might be the first one to go down this route. (Healthy sized donation to this site assured in the event of victory).

So, if there are no complications involving bankruptcy, etc, does this leave the way clear to take Nationwide on further back than six years? I've been with them over 20 years and it adds up to a lot of money. Anyone with the legal knowledge that can clarify this? I'd like something to give me a bit of confidence before I tackle their Data protection team to get ALL my statements back (I've no intention of stumping up a further tenner to get these, either). The people I've spoken to at Nationwide have been so pompous and arrogant that I'd really love to see them take a real kicking over this.