Still awaiting a final decision from Swift regarding refunding charges that should never have been applied. In total, I have requested almost £1500 be refunded and we now have letters bouncing back and forward as they put in their counter offers. We're up to approx £1200 currently......... Today I also found out that my mortgage company have charged me £35 for a redemption statement which Swift requested. That'll be another £35 they can reimburse me!!

Also had email back from OFT Thank you for your email sent on 27 June 2012. We welcome information received from consumers about the conduct of licensees. The information you have provided will be considered by the OFT as part of our role of monitoring the behaviour of licensees. We are not able to tell you, unfortunately, whetherwe are, or will be in the future, investigating Swift Advances Plc (Swift). Whilst the OFT aims to be as transparent as possible in notifying its actions and decisions, it is subject to restrictions on the disclosure of information as are set out in Part 9of the Enterprise Act 2002. Breaches of those restrictions would be a criminal offence. I’m pleased to see that you have contacted FOS, as unfortunately the OFT is unable to intervene on behalf of individual consumers who are in dispute with traders. I have attached a list below of other organisations that may be able to help you. You may be aware that the OFT imposed requirements on Swift in 2010. Details of any formal licensing action taken by the OFT are made publicly available on the OFT's consumer credit public register and a copy of the requirements imposed on Swift has beenpublished on the public register www2.crw.gov.uk. In addition, details of the action taken against Swift are also available on the OFT's website oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/credit/enforce-action The OFT monitors licensees’ conduct against, and compliance with, requirements. The OFT will therefore continue to monitor Swift's conduct, particularly in respect of the requirements that have been imposed. I would like to thank you again for taking the time to contact us, and for the information you have provided us. Kind regards, Katy Galbraith Secured Lending Team

Swift have now replied to the SAR - including a copy of the original signed agreement, account summary and charges sheet. This is all I got back from them. Should I have had more detailed info on notes etc that they hold about the account? In addition, have had a response to my letter requesting charges to be refunded. No breakdown as to how they have arrived at their figure, whether it includes interest or why it is less than what was requested!!!

Acknowledgement received today from the FOS that my complaint has been lodged with Swift. Now need to wait the 8 weeks and see what Swift come back with.

Thanks Caro. Email sent with complaint lodged.

ok, have just found this contact for OFT in another thread. Is it still applicable? Sam Bragg Secured Lending Team The Office of Fair Trading Fleetbank House 2-6 Salisbury Square London EC4Y 8JX.

On the OFT website, it is suggesting that individual consumer complaints should be directed to the FoS. Is there another way to make a complaint to them? I would be keen to include a copy of the letter we have just sent to Swift showing all the charges. Are there any areas of the Consumer Credit Act that can be quoted where Swift may be in breach, i.e. minimum standards of behaviour or traders fitness under section 25? Another thought - all of my paperwork has always been produced using 'Mrs', despite having my identity checked and repeatedly requesting that they amend correspondance to say 'Miss'. Anything I can do here?

Unfortunately, a secured loan was the only option open to me at the time. Had I have known then just how shocking Swift were I wouldn't have even contemplated borrowing from them. What was a 10 year term at 168.07 per month is now turning into a 21 year term of 250.00 per month. We have sent a letter of complaint showing itemised charges that we would like reimbursed. When I paid by direct debit they didn't feel the need to charge me but when I paid by standing order the charge was applied, for what is primarily the same process! Will put in a complaint to OfT as well, the more we can do to damage this company the better.

Thanks Caro. I have today sent the SAR and have also logged a complaint with the FOS as Swift are now threatening to enforce the possession order. Having been back through the charges they have applied, they have even charged me £35 each month for paying by standing order! I hadn't realised the extent of the charges until I queried why the loan balance had all but doubled. I did attend court for the possession order and agreed a revised payment plan to assist in clearing the arrears at that time. All was fine until I was made unemployed in Sept of last year and struggled to meet those payments.

Hi All, I have been reading through all the Swift threads with interest as I too have the same issues. Swift have obtained a possession order on my property, which is currently suspended. Having been made unemployed twice in the last 2 years I have built up arrears on my Swift Advances loan. Taken out in 2006 for £12000, this now stands at almost £22000. Despite having previously agreed to pay over and above the monthly installments to attempt to clear the arrears, I now find out that the monthly repayment doesn't even cover what they are charging me in fees and interest!! I am now trying to re-negotiate with Swift on what I should be paying each month as I am back in work. Is it worth asking to have the loan re-financed to stop the charges being added? Or should I proceed like Jon in trying to claim back the charges? Any additional info or help would be greatly appreciated.