Also posted in the General section for greater exposure...

Just received this from a friend - it could be a good idea to listen in to see what people have to say. No doubt a bank representative will be on too - it will be interesting to see what their angle is after the last few weeks' activity...

JEREMY VINE HEADS UP, FRIDAY 1PM: I'm doing my regular Radio 2 Vine phone-in this Friday. The subject is how to claim back bank charges, and then the big focus is a 'what's the cheapest?' all about everything motoring

See the steps I took to get my bank charges back

Spiceskull v HSBC

Thank you Consumer Action Group

Read my blog

View a heated discussion about bank charges on the Times Educational Supplement bulletin boards

I will post this in the 'Media' section too...

Just received this from a friend - it could be a good idea to listen in to see what people have to say. No doubt a bank representative will be on too - it will be interesting to see what their angle is after the last few weeks' activity...

JEREMY VINE HEADS UP, FRIDAY 1PM: I'm doing my regular Radio 2 Vine phone-in this Friday. The subject is how to claim back bank charges, and then the big focus is a 'what's the cheapest?' all about everything motoring

...what they give with one hand, they take away with the other...

But their code suggests that you ask them to explain how the total was reached - "because it was..." is hardly the response of a member of a respected organisation...

If I used this advice, and the manager gave me an inadequate response, I would complain to the BBA about how they have morons for members...

I'm not an expert in any sense of the word, but I don't let go once I have my teeth into something. I will see what else I can find out, and then I suggest you let the moderators here 'advise' you on further steps...

I think more to the point - nominate some of the standard responses for pseuds corner...

http://www.bba.org.uk/bba/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=259&a=376

What can I do if I disagree with the charges being made

You should check your bank statements regularly to see what charges, if any, are being made to your account. If you feel that the charges are not accurate, or that there is a mistake in the way they were calculated, then contact your bank manager and explain your concerns. Ask them to check the account and send you a written explanation of how the total was calculated.

Also fired another missive off to Private Eye. The hook - imagine their shame if they were the last to pick up on this...

Controller or Processor - they still have a statutory duty to ensure that the data they hold is accurate. Just because the bank says it is, does not necessarily make it so, in much the same way that banks say that charges are legal.

Data controllers/processors need to ensure accuracy through their own efforts, and merely accepting the word of a client is a dereliction of duty...

If they suspect that a bank has provided incorrect information, or have had this suspicion raised to them, they must take steps to correct this, in much the same way as a bank must investigate when it believes a client is involved in activities that break the law.

I may be wrong, but I will try to find out more on this subject.

Just picked up on this thread - it really is a groundbreaking one, and I really wish you all the best. This could well be the turning point for everyone here...

Posted to London Free Cycle if anyone is interested:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Londons_freecycle_cafe/message/350

Adam.

why is it that 'official bodies' are quick to follow other 'official bodies' when it comes to implementing bad decisions...but brass necked about implementing good decisions such as anything that benefits more than the chosen few...?

...but did they agree that they were going to supply said fags/paper before you needed to make that management decision...and then didn't...?

However, it does highlight the absurdity of the situation, as I am sure that if you tried that on with some Saturday staff you would leave the shop £30 richer...

That's a fair point about progress...my intention is to 'bore them' as quickly as possible, so my case can be expedited up the ladder with all due haste...

Sorry - just realised that the link provided is an asp page, and the info won't show. You need to do a search with the following info:

Data Protection Registration Number: Z6564696

That's what I did...

I have to disagree with Robert:

...The CRA will simply (and correctly) point out that they are Data Processors and not Data Controllers. In other words, they only process data on behalf of their clients (the banks), and any problem you have should be taken up with them...

Checking the information Commissioners website, and specifically the entry for Equifax:

"Registration Number: Z6564696

Date Registered: 26 July 2002 Registration Expires: 25 July 2006

Data Controller: EQUIFAX PLC"

This states categorically that they are a Data Controller - and as such they need to discharge their duty as per their license and membership...

http://www.esd.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/esd/DoSearch.asp

(Wonder if they will remember to renew their registration...)

Cool - just had a thought - any problems with being posted to FreeCycle?

Okay - I'll ask around and see what back doors I can find. I can't promise anything, but it doesn't hurt to ask, and to call in a few favours...

Another altruistic thought: Elderly people will be a large group of people who get hit by these charges. By nature they don't complain, and also by nature they are not likely to have access to the internet and the resources/support offered by this group.

This news needs to get to them too (hey, everyone has a favourite granny or elderly aunt...) and I was thinking that a press campaign also needs to target organisations like the CAB and Help The Aged.

I'll look into these organisations over the next few days...

I realise that this is RBS related, but the overview would be great in the general section - if nothing else it would explain the 'cascading and compound' effect of charges to those who are trying to get their heads around this stuff.

Additionally, you should get this stuff to Dave and BF - it's the sort of stuff they want desperately (you may need to go via PM if the stuff is confidential)

Good to see some good eggs among the bad eggs...

I beg to differ - I know call centres from old, and when outsourcing financial product support they must:

Be fully aware of data protection compliance

Record calls

Have someone to escalate cases to

Have an open channel to the financial service provider

Whilst the minutiae may have changed, those four principles are key to call centres getting contracts for financial work. Whilst remaining calm and polite (the cannon-fodder know jack sh*t) you can DEMAND to speak to a supervisor, and the supervisor's supervisor, ad infinitum.

You WILL eventually get through to an authorised member of the financial institution who will know what they are talking about. After all, SOMEONE is legally responsible for these people, and for the advice/support they give.

...following the same argument, a £5 annual rise in charges each year is also wrong. As this represents a 16% rise over the last 12 months, I don't see how they can 'pre-estimate' their costs rising by 16%. This is in the environment where their costs are actually reducing due to offshoring, and other factors.

So even if the originl pre-estimate can be proved (which is unlikely) the steep rises cannot be legally justified, and are therefore not lawful...

Not necessarily - it may be that:

a) all their customers manage their accounts well to prevent charges

b) none of their customers have heard of CAG

But it is strange that they don't get any mention whatsoever, even in the 'Other Institutions' section...

Is Equifax still a CRA? If so, then I may be able to get inside information from some (ahem...) friends who have been with them for a long time...

Surprisingly I would have thought this would have been picked up by Private Eye. As it hadn't, I sent them a brief outline and URL on Friday (17th)

When they do get their teeth into it you'll wish you had kept quiet...