I second what Gizmo said. Your priority now should be to get your salary/benefits changed over so they are paid in to your new account, and also to get the DD's changed over (maybe quicker to ring the companies concerned rather than waiting until FD cancel them by closing your account, and waiting for the companies to contact you). It's very poor what they're doing, but you're not the first, and certainly won't be the last, and as far as I can see, there's not a lot you can do about it.

Hi BRP, best of luck with your claim (not that you need it), keep us posted, and above all, stick to your deadlines. You set the timetables, not First Direct.

aaah, all is revealed! ;-)

Stalling tactic? Probably. Will it work? Not unless you let it. You've given them a deadline, if they don't stick to it, you simply move on to the next step in the process. Keep us posted.

My account, and I believe most other peoples account's were not debited with the maximum £10.00 fee, they appear to be waiving the charge.

Hi Emily, great so far, keep us posted!

You can claim interest, but most people don't bother as it is a little more fiddly...! Good luck with your claim (not that you need luck!) Keep us posted. Edited as per bong's post below (I seemed to have forgotten that you could!)

Keep going postie, you'll get the money!

Feeling nervous? Why? Take a read of http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/hsbc-fd-hfc-successes/1505-monkey_uk-first-direct-2235-a.html There really is no need to be nervous. As long as you read the FAQs and step by step guides, along with other information on this site, I'm 99.9% certain that you WILL win. Please be assured, there really is very little to worry about.

Great news postie27, keep us posted! (pardon the pun)

whooohoooo! Looks like you'll have a nice Christmas with all that money!

In my opinion, that is exactly what they're doing. Jeez, I'm sooo cynical!

There is a thread for discussion about this subject here: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general/46776-first-direct-bank-charge.html I have re-posted my post here for information only. Hope this info helps some of you.

It is worth noting that FD do a different bank account. I think they literally call it a "bank account" rather than a current account. They downgraded my current account while I was banking with them due to my difficulties (caused by their charges). I don't think that it had the same restrictions (i.e having to pay in £1500 per month). It had a white card, no switch/solo and no chequebook, but if all these aren't improtant, and it is just a basic bank account you're after, it may be worthwhile exploring the possibility of downgrading. I could still use the online banking and telephone banking in the same ways. ALSO, their announcement states that if you have a savings account you won't be charged this fee, so maybe you could open a savings account with them and deposit the minimum amount (which I seem to recall is £1.00), or am I missing something, as this seems stupidly obvious as a "solution". Quite a shame to see FD going this way, as I think they're the best of a bad bunch (banks) in terms of my dealing with them on a day to day basis (forgetting the charges issue). Their call centres are in the UK (Leeds and somewhere in Scotland, either Edinburgh or Glasgow, can't remember), they answer their phones VERY quickly (generally, although I understand that their phonelines are taking a hammering today...) and their staff are very friendly. Oh well, such is life... Hope this info helps some of you.

Of course, that goes without saying! Should we open a book?

Damn right!

Got to admire their balls for trying this one on though! Made me chuckle anyway!

Yes you can!

Gordonf, You really ought to use the Wakefield Road, Leeds, LS98 1FD address in my opinion. I think they're number 40 Wakefield Road, but that is from memory....

rofl = rolling on the floor laughing

rofl!

Gill, take a look at my thread (link in my signature) and read what I used for my MCOL (obviously if you're going to use mine, which you're more than welcome to, please remember the change the account number, amount claimed and interest amounts!) Keep us posted, and well done so far!

Settlement in full? Well done! Great news! Are there any conditions attached? Any whatsoever? Such as keeping it confidential, running your account within the limits etc? Perhaps you could post a copy of the letter on this thread (removing your personal details beforehand obviously!)

Hi hudu, welcome to CAG! Best of luck with your claim. Please start a thread in the relevent forum for your bank and keep us posted!

Just amend the amount when you send the next letter.