Hello Johnnymitch Thanks for warning me - I will have a look at the link you gave me, I have already sent off the income and expenditure form - with a covering letter using all the information I could find on this site, I hope I haven't bombarded then with too much legal stuff. This site is quite good actually - once you get the hang of navigating through all the information and pages.

Ok - thank you. I'll try your advice as well - does cab mean citizens advice bureau ? I assume it does. Thank you anyway.

Hello Does anyone know where I can find the 'charges whilst on benefits' template on this forum ? Thanks

Hello Maroondevo52 Thank you very much for your advice - I am in the process of claiming the late payment charges using your advice. But I need enlightenment about the 23.9% interest rate on credit card which HSBC charged. Interest rate is variable so they can do what they like... they said I can't stop them. What consumer rights do I have ? I am defaulting payments becuase of the high interest rates. They did not tell me about it in advance. I asked them for a written signed agreement to say that its 'variable' Even if it is variable - can they charge interest that high 23.9 ? Anyone got any tips ?

Hello the interest rate is variable so HSBC can increase it as much as they like - so they say. They sent me a income and expenditure followed by a threatening letter to take legal action - they didn't even give me time to fill in the form and send it off !!! How do I claim back the charges ? and how to freez the interest ? anyone ? I don't have a copy of the signed agreement - and the terms and conditions are on a separate 'flyer' format which is not signed.

Hello Can anyone advice me what to do - I have been steadily paying off my HSBC credit card payment up until now - by Direct Debit Recently I started getting late payment charges - when I looked at the statement - the minimum repayment amount had increased to £150 approx, which fell short of the direct debit repayments. This happened a few times. When I lookes again more closely I realised that the bank had increased the interest rate from 6% to 12% to 23.9%. I wrote a letter saying that I have lost my job and could no longer afford to pay the high interest rate - I also asked then to Freez the interest rate but they said no! What can I do!?