Abbey have finally admitted thier mistake in this case, but I have come across a lot of denials from Branch Managers, and Customer Call Centres to get to this point. A Direct Debit was refused and charges applied to my account back in May despite their being enough funds to cover it! The charges soon accumulated monthly, until I was paying £200 pm charges. My Branch Manager and her Deputy both gave me some story of Debit Payments made 4 days before they show and money having to be available then, or some science, and both denied any authority anyway!! and told me the other had the authority!!!!! AAAgh! Anyway, I have been persistent knowing I was in the right, and kept on phoning Abbey until someone saw sense and I have had all charges refunded from May. The Debit mistake had since happened another two times, when funds were available and debits refused so check your statements, as it may have happened to you. May 2007 was apparently a Month when Abbey were having problems with this!

Direct Line Insurance gave me a hire car from Enterprise. On last day of hire I got a flat, my husband changed the wheel over just before we drove the car 4 miles to return it. Signed off car, explaining about flat tyre, which they said was no problem and they refunded me with a £50 deposit. The following day Direct Line telephoned to tell me that following my accident? I owed Enterprise £300 excess for the damages to the tyre and the spare wheel!! Already being charged £400+ per month from banks for excessive charges and in process of losing everything, so it feels like everyone is in for the kill now! See prior post. By the way, there was no damage caused by us, the spare wheel was already in bad shape and my husband told me to be very careful driving it.

Littlewoods sent a faulty brand new washing machine, refused to refund it, made me accept a repair, twice, which neither worked. Then put my account with debt collectors. Any phone conversations have resulted in rudeness from their operators, and refusals to put me on to their managers. I am now going to take them to court!

Hi, I have spent last week reading up on things to be ready before submitting a 2nd claim to HSBC - I had to accept their offer on first one as we had bailiffs at our door! Money troubles started when I became ill with auto-immune condition and husbands business began to fail at the same time (probably due to exhaustion - doing everything - two young kids) and worry. Life Insurance is worthless too. Anyway here is the wording to a new letter sent this morning regarding overdraft. Dear ........ I am opleased to advise that we have agreed your recent informal request for an overdraft. (what request??). The balance of your account is not £1,414.34 overdrawn. Please remember all overdrafts are repayable on demand (threats!!) An informal overdraft request occurs when you authorise a payment from your account that, if made by us, would exceed your formal overdraft limit. This informal overdraft is specific to the payment concerned. We will review all subsequent informal overdraft requests on an individual basis. An arrangement fee may be payable for this informal overdraft and any subsequent requests we agree. We will pre notify you of any such fees before they are passed. Every informal overdraft we agree to may cost you an arrangement fee. If you anticipate that you may want to make frequent informal overdraft requests, it may be cheaper for you to apply in advance for a formal overdraft. A formal overdraft facility can last for up to 12 months and carries a one off fee of £25. If you wish to discuss your borrowing...........etc.etc. So, in essence we are no longer being charged, but we are informally requesting overdrafts!! Any thoughts????

The nice HSBC Bank Manager sent me my cheque back along with the statement copies. No problems in the interim then!! Now for the maths - never my strong point!

Well, as expected I have received my microfiche excuse letter and have printed out my data protection act reminder - reminding them of their deadline! How nice it is to be forwarned of the process Abbey will use to demoralise me and make things look too much hassle. I notice a big increase in forum members and worry that I may be too late for this and banks will start to change tack - ie: not refund charges.

I am ready to start, having read forums for a few days, but I just wonder whether it would be best for me to send for 6 years of statements, etc under recorded delivery? Also, I had to wait until I had money to send to cover £10 admin, and I have just printed out my letter - inks gone on my printer! Is someone trying to tell me something? Off to Tescos for ink refill, no tea tonight kids!!!

Hiya, I think I've read enough now to make a start. One question though, should I send my request for subject access as recorded delivery? I have had to wait to afford the £20 for here and HSBC claims. Also, I intend to go via the new proposed route that is posted! I have about 2 years statements to hand, only threw last 10 years away recently . Story is too painful, but due to a spell of illness income dropped, bank withdrew o/d facility without informing me and this sent account into dissarray! then came the charges! Now all d/debits for bill payments are refused, more charges and threats to cut us off, I mean its a snowball effect! So I am really looking forward to this project:-D