Looks like you were right.... Stepson got letter off AIC, headed PROPOSAL ACCEPTANCE ..... and then went on to describe a completely different arrangement!... of £65 for three months, then my stepson would have to contact AIC to "review the remaining balance". Stepson has asked for written confirmation that the original £65 over 36 months was or was not the accepted proposal. To cover us, I have asked the FOS to reopen my stepson's case against Lloyds, and also to look into this DCA's actions. Can anyone confirm that the DCA's only action would be to hand the account back to Lloyds if no repayments were made under the DCA's terms?

Hi Bill. 1 - YES 2 - had been in dispute re the bank charges, but Lloyds don't recognise the bank charges debacle as legitimate definition of the account being in dispute ( and I suppose they are right - charges are legal charges until proved otherwise). 3 - That was an option earlier on, but that is not possible (or desirable) now. So would I LOL

well, as it is not my debt - if they take more than the agreed £64 one off first payment (as my stepson doesn't have any card payment facilities) , I shall bring down the wrath of TBN on their thieving heads! But I'm sure that won't happen, as they have to be a reputable DCA in accordance with the banking code... and if they are not , then Lloyds will get the same "bring down the wrath of TBN on their thieving heads!" treatment.

Even if it's my Lloyds mastercard??

Thanks themadcap. It is just a bank account. He just has to bite the bullet, and take the pain I think, until the banks are finally brought to account on the excessive charges issue. We can still fight on, even while he is paying back the debt.

Short summary - I have been trying to help stepson sort out his financal problem with Lloyds Bank. Basically , he got into financial difficulties through loss of job, went overdrawn... charges were applied to his account... etc etc . He ended up with a debit of £2300+ (£1800 of which are charges/fees). Tried since Feb 2009 to get Lloyds to reconsider. No budging by them. Applied to FOS - they agreed with that Lloyds, that the Bank had done everything to help my stepson!. After a miriad of letters (which all of mine were ignored - due to "NO record on system" giving me authority to discuss my stepson's matter even though he had sent three letters to them stating his Authority to me to discuss his account), letters from solicitors, and Credit Agencies. He finally recieved a Yellow Card from AIC (UK) Ltd. I spoke to them (with my stepson's verbal authority). Basically , he had three options - pay 50% reduced sum - matter closed, or 20% deposit on full amount then 48 monthly payments, or finally £99 for 24 monthly payments. None of these options very financially do-able by my stepson, however he was prepared to pay £65 over 36. On the 28th on Jan , I will have to pay the first payment (which was demanded by card payment - not available to my stepson), then a Standing Order will be sent out by AIC for him to set up his own STO from his new bank account. I have read a lot of horror stories about this firm (AIC (UK) Ltd, however, I found them fairly easy to talk to - with the exception that Mr McNally from AIC refused to put any of the discussion in writing. My question is :- Whilst we still hope that Lloyds will be made to refund some charges in future, are we doing the right thing in entering into an fixed term repayment agreement with AIC? I have been told that the debt will remain the 'property' of Lloyds, so by that can I assume that AIC will not be sold the debt on the back of us agreeing a repayment? There is a debt to be paid ( admittedly with excessive banking charges added on), and we can't put up with yet another year of stress and hassle. The government is unwilling to do anything about this matter (I have a number of useless reply to my letter to the treasury, and shadow chancellor on banking charges). PS: as someone who has been fortunate not to have had any money problems (or overdrafts) I cannot believe how totally obnoxious and unhelpful the bank, solicitors, credit agencies, government, and even the FOS have been.

well, hitting my head against this brick wall is starting to smart a bit :/ Lloyds have sent my stepson a lenthy "FINAL RESPONSE" letter, most of which I believe to be just pure waffle. The main point in the letter is that they cannot deal with me direct as my stepson has not given them authority to deal with me .... WRONG.. letter dated 14th Feb 2009 stated that he gave full permission for me to deal with this stressful matter. Also they state that the account is NOT in dispute... ???? it's the bank charges that are in dispute... !!! Urrrm?? surely the account balance of £2300DB + is in dispute due to the £1800+ charges ... theirfore is not the account ( which the balance is a major part of) in dispute? And aparently he has not been defaulted, Lloyds still own the debt... and have just asked APEX to manage it?? This gets more and more frustrating. Any suggestions were we go from here. SHould I negotiate a payment plan for the undisputed balance of about £500 or just run around naked outside Lloyds offices shouting "They've taken the clothes off my back.... "

Hi, Well after a lot of letters to lloyds on behalf of my stepson, and finally resorting to FOS complaint... the outcome is that ... well nowt can be done on bank charges as test case , etc etc etc etc ... On fact that LLoyds closed account and have now put it to credt agency (APEX CREDIT MANAGEMENT) , the FOS feel that the bank has done everything it could under the Banking Code... so my stepson is advised to phone APEX and work out a payment plan......!!! WITH WHAT?? fresh air?? Awwwwwwwwwwww:-x!!!!!! So to sum up... No help from LLoyds, FOS, Chancellor of Excheq, Shadow Chancellor (George Osbourne), the only person who said they would look into matter if we wanted was our local Lab MP. Where do I go from here? Basically £510 debit plus charges/fees totalling £1157 just over last year... at present the balance is £2367.60 He has filled the hardship forms out too. Basically , with only Job Seekers Allowance in and living and a couple of debt payments he has £1 left disposable. Do I negotiate with this Apex lot? or should I turn it around and say... If the fairness of charges are on hold til 'whenever' ... then that sum should be removed from the equation, and therefore we will only discuss the £510 . It's no use going to court as the 'HOLD' will apparently apply. any ideas??