Thank you very, very much sea-sidelady. I have had a further three calls from Barclays since their first call, they even phoned me up at half seven last night. It's quite distressing having to keep explaining the situation each time, I feel like a criminal the way they have been speaking to me. One of the people I spoke to said I would not be able to reclaim the charges post August 1st (for entering my 'reserve'), is this true?

Hello, I have been to see my branch, they were able to cancel the DD that had caused the problem, and took me out of the 'reserve service'. They wouldn't freeze the account or allow me to extend the overdraft to cover the amount so I wouldn't be faced with more charges and interest. I got a acall from Barclays' collection department today who wanted me to clear the debt. I explained why the account was overdrawn in the first place but they didn't want to listen. I ended up saying I'd refuse to pay anything into the account until I got the charges I was claiming for back (as these almost completely cover my OD). They said it was going to adversely affect my credit rating if I did not pay up. i thought if charges were disputed it shouldn't affect my rating or am I wrong?

Thank you for your advice, I was unable to get to the bank on Friday but I'm hopefully going to have time today to see someone. I was also wondering if Barclays won't refund the charges now, whether I would be able to freeze the account because of the dispute? I can't afford to repay enough to put it back into the overdraft limits and I don't want to see tihs account spiral further into debt.

Hello, I had a current account with Barclays which I stopped using while I was reclaiming my charges (I went to A&L who were even worse for charges...). I left it open but paid a small amount in each month to keep it from going past my overdraft limit. I'd sort of forgotten about it until today when I had a look at a letter from barclays and its gone nearly 300 pounds past my limit. I couldn't understand how this happened but I looked at some past statements and found a direct debit I thought I'd stopped, which had taken me over and that plus Barclays new 'reserve' charges have taken it beyond what I can realistically pay back. I had over £100 of charges last month alone, surely this is not fair?? I want to go see my bank tomorrow but I'm not sure what I should be saying to them and what I can demand back (if anything) or if there are any precedents I can use to get them to take back the charges and let me pay off something per month. I'm sorry to ask for help on this but I have Aspergers and I struggle to explain myself at times but I would like to take a 'script' with me when I see the bank tomorrow. I'm really quite worried about this.

When we took out the policy we gave details of our doors & windows, and said the front door had a double-lock. I can't see anywhere in the policy anything saying we must make sure the door is double-locked at all times. It says we must make sure the property is secure when it is vacant but we were in the house when the burglary occurred (if that makes a difference). Thanks for your help.

Hi, sorry if this should be posted elsewhere, please move if necessary. I was burgled on Sunday morning and have put a claim in with my home insurance company (homelet). The thieves got in through the front door which me and my housemates forgot to double-lock before we went to bed. Can anyone tell me if this will make our claim invalid? The claim total is less than a thousand pounds.

Done! I hope they are taken to task for this.

Hi all, firstly a huge thanks to all of you who have taken the time to write all the many FAQs, letters spreadsheets and guides on the forums, I certainly wouldn't have been able to get as far as I have without your help! Secondly, a quick query: I've calculated how much Barclays have taken off me and I've drafted the request for reclaimation letter, just need to clarify how much I should put down for my claim. This is the bit I'm referring to: I calculate that you have taken £XXXXX plus a further £XXX which you have charged me in overdraft interest for the sum which you have taken. Total £XXXXX . I enclose a schedule of the charges which I am claiming with this letter Do I write down the total of the charges, followed by the calculated 8% interest? Thanks in advance! DA

Ah, I must have misread one of the letters. Thanks! DA

Hello! I sent off a bunch of SARs to the four banks I have an issue with (Barclays, Barclaycard, Egg, Alliance & Leicester) last week, got my statements from Egg in the post yesterday - amazed att how quick that was! Anyway, I thought I had a lot of charges from way back but it turns out I only had two £20 'overlimit charges' in Feb 06. With interest & claiming back my £10 cheque for the statements it only comes to £57! Do you think Egg would just refund that straight into my Egg account (i've put all my debts into that one account now), considering it is such a small amount? Should I still follow the same course of action as larger claims? Thanks! DA

Hi, I accidentally cancelled a DD I had for a loan from First National Trinity, I need to reinstate this before my next payment due in April but I don't know how to contact them. Does anyone have a phone number for their customer service dept? I can't find them online anywhere. Many Thanks! DA

Thank you very much for the kind welcome! May I also point you in the direction of two web sites I frequently visit, http://www.wrong planet.com & Dyspraxic Adults :: Index. These are both forums for people with either AS or Dyspraxia that I have found to be very helpful. They offer advice and are full of testimonials from people with both conditions who 'triumphed over adversity' so-to-speak and are actually doing very well for themselves. I've found them quite insprational personally.

I was diagnosed with Asperger's (as well as traits of Dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD) last year at the age of 25, I wish doctors had known of this when I was at school because I really struggled from secondary school onwards. I hope you can get all the help for your children that they deserve, they are lucky to have such understanding parents! I'm currently trying to help my brother get assistance at school (who has the same symptoms as me, but slightly worse). I don't know if it would help but I went to see a private company called Dore who provide a form of tutoring (i guess is the best term for it) for children and adults with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD. Personally, after completing 18 months of daily excersices (they revolve around hand-eye coordination and balancing) I found my balance, spelling, memory and sleeping patterns all drastically improved. I think the benefits for each person may differ somewhat but it may be something to consider (although it is not free). If you ever need advice from someone who has lived through AS I would be very happy to help.