Hi My paents (mid and late 70's) have an interest only lifetime mortgage which they took out on a 2 year fixed rate. After the fixed rate period it was to revert to Halifax Standard Variable Rate (svr). Shortly before the expiry of the fixed rate period, Halifax wrote confirming the expiry date and telling them they could switch to one of the current fixed rates, as existing customers coming to the end of their deal. I submitted the application for them on line. They were told they would be called. They weren't, so I arranged a branch appointment. At the branch, they were told it couldn't be dealt with there as its a lifetime mortgage and Halifax isn't doing them anymore, but someone from that department would call. They did, but my parents were told that they couldn't switch to a new fixed rate because Halifax no longer does this type of mortgage. They have to either stay on the svr, which is, of course, variable, or re-mortgage - Scottish Widows was suggested. I've checked SW's web site - nothing on there about lifetime mortgages and as I understand it, they withdrew from that market before Halifax. SW do offer the same fixed rate that my parents wanted from Halifax (they're in the same group, namely Lloyds Banking Group), but it carries a £999 fee, whereas Halifax has no fee. However, I can't see why Halifax won't switch the rate. I can't see that the fact that they no longer offer lifetime mortgages is relevant at all. Indeed, their web site specifically has a section for existing mortgage customers and it says that if your deal is coming to an end or you're on the svr, you can switch to one of our fixed rates. No qualifications. The end result is that Halifax is happy to let them stay, but on the svr, even though its a mortgage type that they no longer offer. But it won't let them stay and switch to a fixed rate, because it's a mortgage type that they no longer offer. I can't see the logic and I can't see how this squares with this duty to treat customers fairly which has been bandied round recently. How is it fair to force them to stay on the svr when every other customer on the svr can switch to a fixed rate? It seems that Halifax is trying to force them to re-mortgage elsewhere because they don't want this product on their books anymore, or will punish them for staying by keeping them on the svr. They could save £40 a month on the fixed rate as opposed to the svr, not to mention the peace of mind. The only other lifetime mortgage provider I could fine will charge twice the interest rate. I've queried this with Halifax but have been told that I need to speak to the lifetime mortgage department who don't take calls, they only make calls, so I have to wait 48 hours (only working days count) for a call back. They said its because the department is very busy - funny, since I've been reading in newspapers articles that date from the time they withdrew the product that it only represented a very small part of their business. By the way, my parents were never informed that Halifax was withdrawing from this market and how it would affect them in the future. Again, seems to conflict with one of the six outcomes for the policy of treating customers fairly. Has anyone had any similar experience? I'm thinking of making a formal complaint.

Hello Caggers I have recently had some correspondence with 1st Credit over an old debt defaulted during a cancer illness (now cured and debt disputed) which I believed to be statute barred. Two questions I have for you. From the first 1st Credit email: "I have read the contents of your attached letter and can advise that our records show the account was opened in July 2000 and that payments were received from the 7th July 2005 to the 10th August 2007. The payment of £1.00 received on the 25th July 2008 will be reversed as it represents an administration fee for a copy of the agreement. Please find attached statement of account. I therefore do not consider the account to be statute barred and look forward to hearing from you with your comments." Question 1: Is the debt statute barred? From the second 1st Credit email: "Further to the above and your e-mail of the 12th June 2013, as the Deed of Assignment between the Halifax Bank of Scotland and ourselves is a confidential document we are not obliged to provide you with a copy. A Notice of Assignment as required by Section 136 of the Law of Property Act 1925 was posted to you on the November 2004 (copy attached). Connaught Collections is a trading style of 1st Credit Ltd and therefore no ‘Agreement of Assignment’ is required. With regards to your previous request in accordance with section 78 (1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 , we have reverted to the original creditor for further copies of the original agreement and terms and conditions and the terms and conditions at the time of default. In the meantime the matter has been placed on hold. Please find below statement of account in accordance with section 78(1) of the Consumer Credit Act 1974: (a) the state of the account….current outstanding balance of £xxxx. (b) the amount, if any, currently payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor.... £xxxx. © the amounts and due dates of any payments which, if the debtor does not draw further on the account, will later become payable under the agreement by the debtor to the creditor….£xxxx. I note my colleague, Ms Rochester issued our final response on the June 2013 to your complaint that the account was statute barred. For ease of reference, please find attached copy letter." Question 2 Are they right in saying the Deed of Assignment is confidential and therefore cannot be disclosed to me? Sorry this is so long but I am seeking clarification from Caggers about their (1st Credit/Connaught's) correspondence Thanks in advance

Hello, I just wondered if anyone had any advise on how i could deal with debt problems re Bank of Scotland Loan £7439 default balance which has now passed to Robinson Way Collectors halifax Loan £3288 default which has now passed to Westcot collectors There is no PPI on them but there would b some late payment charges Halifax froze interest for a while to get me bank on my feet but I cant yet secure employment. Bank of Scotland would not freeze it just kept sending letters has anyone had any communications with Westcot or Robinsons way? I really want to try and get back on my feet and repair my credit its just I have no disposable income atall at the moment. very grateful for any advice given thankyou in advance

I have been struggling with the last 11 payments on my 25 year mortgage for the last few years and have not been been able to make a payment for 15 months. I self employed and every month I say I must contact them and make an arrangement, but there is never any money available after I have paid everything else. I'm probably a nine (out of ten) on the CA debt scale. I received a letter from the Halifax a couple of weeks ago to say they were arranging a home visit and charging me £125 for this and £100 if I am not there. Last Friday I received a letter from their agent saying to email or ring them. The same day an agent called while I was our, and on Monday an agent and my wife answered the door requesting I call him. I have not done anything yet, as I feel making contact would be to condone their fees, which I certainly do not. I feel I should write to the Halifax with a payment plan, but have I left it too late? Can I refuse their visiting charges? Thank you for any advice. Tom

Hi, I'm 2 months into my 6 month agreement with Halifax regarding my credit card (I have written confirmation). They agreed to my paying 5quid a month which will be reviewed once the 6 months has passed. I've made both payments on time. Last week a receive a letter from Blair et el (in house debt collectors of HBOS) asking me to call their offices to either make full payment or discuss my payment options and that if I don't call they may do a door step visit. I've done some research and have found a template warning against them doing the door step visit but needed advice on what I should say regarding my debt. I've penned a letter saying that as there is already an agreement in place the terms of which I have kept I will not be calling them and that I will only liaise with them by letter. Will this be sufficient for the time being? Do I continue to liaise with Halifax card services or Blair et el from now on? Thank you for any advice anyone may have.

Good Morning All, Looking for some help and advice please (I have attached a letter received from Halifax) I've not got any documents from the Halifax relating to 2 loans that I took out, these date back to 2000 & 2001. The second loan paid off the balance of the first loan (the second loan also defaulted) but is now fully paid and closed (not showing on my credit file) I complained to Halifax that PPI was automatically added to both loans and I was led to believe that I would not be accepted if I didn't add it to the loan. The have replied after 8 weeks with a response of defended on the first loan and upheld in part on the second loan and offered £288.47 Should I accept this payment or should I challenge it? If I do challenge this is the maximum payment I could receive shown in the appendix of the document uploaded (£546.07) Thanks for any possible help and advise

I took out a ppi policy IN 2005 at the same time i applied for a mortgage advance - as it was implied that i would stand more chance of qualifying for the loan if i did. Considering the advance was for consolidating debts, I obviously did not take much pursuading. At the time I was effectively self employed due to working through an umberella composite company in the construction industry I cancelled the policy about 15 months into it after finding out that my temporary employment contract would not be covered I therefore asked the halifax to accept the miselling claim on the grounds that it was sold to me, "in my opinion", as a condition of the loan being granted and also the policy was not suitable due to my temporary work contract and finally it was a halifax policy and at no point did their financial advisor offer any alternative. I have already learned the FOS is a waste of time so I am thinking of going to a small claims court. Any advice would be appreciated

I have recently had an account closed my Halifax and I opened an account with Lloyds the same day. Now with Lloyds Group owning Halifax - can they find out about my account closure with Halifax and subsequently close my new account with Lloyds that has just been opened? I have recently had an account closed my Halifax and I opened an account with Lloyds the same day. Now with Lloyds Group owning Halifax - can they find out about my account closure with Halifax and subsequently close my new account with Lloyds that has just been opened?

We were not informed of the transfer of childrens accounts when Halifax was no longer with Bank of Scotland and the loss of interest which shocked me as I opened the account starting at 10% going down to 6% but when it was transferred without my knowledge it was 1% you can imagine how shocked I was as I was not given the opportunity to move this money elsewhere and I think it should be looked into as to why this happened.

Hello – am hoping someone can give me some advice, I am at the end of my tether Debts: Halifax Loan: £6,276.71 Nationwide Credit Card: £6,490.58 Halifax Overdraft: £1,594.00 Halifax Credit Card: £14,770.55 Total Debts: £29,131.84 My circumstances: Work full time (earn less than ‘average’ but too much toqualify for any working tax credits or housing benefit) Rent my house from the council No assets Halifax Loan & NationwideCredit Card in payment plan (quite) happily paying. (Showing as ‘Late Payment’on Noodle) Halifax Overdraft: Defaulted (on Noodle) Was passed to iQor Queried account reference numbers so requestedaccount info – arrived in full. Wrote querying fees being charged Received letter from Halifax saying account has nowbeen passed to drydensfairfax Will wait till I hear from drydensfairfax Halifax Credit Card (showing as ‘Late Payment’ onNoodle) In 2010 Halifax wanted to increase interest. I spoke to them on the phone agreed to cut up card & keep interest at 18% Started having financial difficulties in Feb 2012 so researched payment plan (DMP) contacted all debtors and started regular monthlypayments in April 2012 (not through an agency – did it myself) Repeatedly asked Halifax to stop interest & fees, fees suspended (although fees/charges were added & deducted so many times I can’t track what was actually added), interest still at 18% June 2012 renegotiated payment plan – less money available as youngest child left education & I lost all Child/Working TaxCredits & CSA payments. Wrote several more times requesting interest be stopped Stopped paying Dec 2012 – sick of paying interest –wrote & told them. Lots of threatening letters /unanswered phone calls Spoke to representative on the phone 11thFeb 2013 – she seems soooo helpful! Arranged for 1% interest. I agreed to start paying again on 1st March 2013 – said I wanted the offer in writing. As a gesture of goodwill I paid a monthly amount that day. No letter arrived by 28th Feb so I stopped paying & wrote to tell them why! 28th Feb 2013 also wrote requesting all account info – about 2 weeks later I received a huge bundle via courier – it was myoriginal agreement (signed) and all statements from 2001 I looked through the statements & this is what I found– From 26/04/2010 to 24/04/2013 total amount clearedfrom this debt in three years: £287.20 (I didn’t have the heart to add up allmy payments made!) In the last year: 26/03/2012 to 24/04/2013 Totalamount cleared from this debt: £12.02. Total payments made in the last year: £2060.67 This is what I wrote to Halifax 7th May2013: ‘The Conduct of Business Sourcebook (COBS) contains a set of principles which are legally binding on all firms which are regulated by theFSA, including: 6. Customers'interests A firm must pay due regard to the interests of its customers and treat them fairly You have ignored my requests for freezing interest and fees. You are not acting in my best interest as the sums above show how little of my debt has been paid off because you insist on adding interest and fees which makes the debt literally never ending. I am eager to get this debt under control. To this end I therefore enclose a personal budget sheet which shows my total income, and my total outgoings. As you can see, I have only £xx a month left for my creditors. I have worked out the offers I have made to my creditors on a pro-rata basis, and I have written to all my creditors asking them to accept these offers. I am now proposing to pay £xx a month, starting on 1st June 2013. But this payment plan is offered with the condition that you freeze interest and charges on this account. If you are unwilling to freeze interest and charges on this account, please provide me with a positive solution that will lead to me being able to pay off this debt within a reasonable amount of time.’ Yesterday I received a letter from Halifax accepting my offer of payment & reduced interest of 12.69% & charges suspended, but no mention of anything else in that letter (they don’t even acknowledge receiptof letter – only payment offer) I am now losing the will to continue fighting these people – all I want is a reasonable repayment plan that will eventually mean that I pay off the debt. I know it’s my fault that I accrued so much debt (it was so easy to get & got me through some difficult times as a single mother) Does anyone have any suggestions to what I can do next?? Stop paying altogether & wait for default? Pay up & stop fighting? I have spent a lot of time reading this forum & have foundsome very useful advice, so any help would be great!

Hey everyone, I am new to the forums and although I had joined a few weeks ago I haven't been able to come online to air my problem(s). I will cut to the chase and give only the details rather than a fluffy story so here goes. I have in the past received letters from the Halifax but after becoming almost homeless I ended up in emergency accommodation for the university I attended. For a short time I dropped off the radar and didn't hear anything (nor did I think anything of them...out of sight out of mind etc.) Since then I have moved a few times and after a fall out with my parents (who I am now fully estranged from) my father gave them my address after a letter had come to their house. Anyway I was unable to pay anything as I was studying and looking after my young son so I then had westcott debt services onto me last year. I paid them some money but again fell into hardship and they chased me for a while. Then all of a sudden it was a new company after me...Comquest agency. They fell by the wayside after a month or two and then I never heard anything of it. That was a couple of months ago and then a couple of weeks ago I had a letter from Robinson Way stating that I now owe them money. I responded via email to state I had received the letter and I would only contact them via email or letter. Since then I had and still am unable to pay them anything (I've a lot of other things to worry about as well as them). So they sent another letter and I had not responded as I haven't had the time to. Then 10 days ago I was sent a letter from Drydens Fairfax Solicitors (I will attach image to this post). Basically they state I have ten days (those ten days end today) to get in touch and pay in full or call and pay what I can etc. Thing is I have nothing to pay them as I'm currently unable to work due to personal reasons and the doctors will not allow me to go back yet. So I'm not sure what to do but I only have today to do it. The debt is 5yrs old from a student overdraft (long story short I had my son and spent most of the money on looking after him and rent). Any help would be great as I am a complete novice at this stuff. Many thanks, John. For those who cannot read the letter from the image I shall write it out below:

Hi there I applied for a mortgage last week with halifax but got declined. Upon checking my credit file goth registered a default that was satisfied. The debt had nothing to do with me and got it removed from experian and equifax. This is the main reason for the decline and the there were concern over amount of credit searches. The default shows on noodle still not sure about call credit. From the information below do I now stand a good chance of acceptance? Age 20 Salary fixed employed 28k year over 4 years employment same company. House new build for 150k Deposit 7500 Help to buy scheme 20% gov loan. 7 credit searches in past 12 months 4 this year. No ccjs, defaults, missed payments, finacial associations. I also think I might have a CPD (credit policy decline with llyods will this make a difference? No account with halifax) 5 credit cards, around 500 debit (just cleared £500 yesterday) and three mobile phone contracts. I just think if I pass first stage the underwriters will reject because of age. Though I'm keeping upbeat. Single application

tHIS MORGAGE WAS taken OUT IN 2000 BORROWED 25,056 over 25 years there is a section which states morgage repayments insurance application which states the following... monthly morgage payment 121.95 plus 25% morgage rekated costs 30.49 monthly benefit 152.44 monthly premuim 9.23 i had this morgage till 29/12/2003

This loan was taken out 2000 for £1,000 over 2 years 6months total credit for loan 209.90 total amount payable 1,209.90 insurance for loan 152.51 total chg for credit for insurance loan 31.99 monthly payments 184.50 total loan and interest by 30 monthly payments of 46.48 interest rate 16.400% monthly interest rate 1.227% also signed ppi consent

MY Halifax loan states amount lent 1,800 total chg for crdit 219.42 amount payable 2,019.42 ,insurance loan 216.14 . total charge for credit for insurance loan. total amount payable over 18 months 125.66 interest rate 15.9% I have signed the ppi ??? can i still apply for refund and also how much would this be i took this loan out 22/06/01 thank you i have also got another one and a morgage which i will do next

Hi There Apologies to ask and I normally keep everything but I am unable to find my policy summary for a MPPI i have had on a mortgage with Halifax since 2003. Would anyone be able to help me and let me have either a copy of the booklet or the policy summary. Many thanks in advance.

I had mortgages from 1977, on the statements there is a figure for INS, I also have a letter saying “Where a mortgage is covered by a Mortgage Guarantee Policy the premium is paid by the society and added to your account and interest is charged. Does anyone have any original information on this policy? Does anyone know if this is an early version of PPI?

Hello all, I have recently had £30.00 debited from my current account by Halifax which has now left me overdrawn. The charges we for a few direct debits which I was unable to pay and so my bank have charged me £10 for each returned direct debit = £30.00 I have tried contacting Halifax by phone to ask if these charges could be refunded due to my current financial instability but an adviser informed me (after liaising with the customer relations department) that, "...because you have previously had a bank charge refunded on your account in October 2011, we are unable to refund you again." I asked the adviser if I could speak with Customer Relations personally but apparently customers cannot do this. I have since logged a complaint which the adviser has passed onto 'Customer Relations' who will either contact me by phone or write me a letter. Either way, I'm still left £30.00 overdrawn which I am unable to pay back and accruing additional charges on top Is there anything else I can do? Thanks in advance

Hello, I would be very grateful for some help or advice with a Halifax current account. I am self-employed. At the moment, due to general health issues and personal problems, I have been keeping my business fairly low-key so there isn't much money going in and out, and some months I go very close to my overdraft limit. I admit that some months I have gone over the limit and into what Halifax calls an 'unplanned overdraft'. I have copped the charges for this, added on or around the 1st. day of the following month. I have no objection to paying bank charges where the fault is with myself. I do think the charges are disproportionate, but that is a separate issue. The problem I have with Halifax is that, having reviewed my bank statements over the last 12 months, in the majority of cases it is the Halifax 'unplanned overdraft charges' that have sent me over the limit. For instance, just today, Halifax have added around £90.00 in charges. This is because last month I went around £12.00 over the limit for about 6 days, but I only went over the limit because Halifax had added £22.00 in charges, and those £22.00 in charges were only added because the month before that I had gone over the limit due again to Halifax charges, and so on and so on and so on....back it goes. I stress again that I have no objection to paying bank charges where the fault is with myself, but Halifax's totally ridiculous and disproportionate charges are creating a vicious cycle, and it's not easy to get out of it. The sums involved are modest. The OD limit is only £70.00. However, this is a very annoying situation and I would be grateful for some advice on whether Halifax are adding these charges unlawfully or I otherwise have a basis to challenge them. Many thanks in advance.

During my fight with Arrow and Carter ref Halifax loan account etc my SAR docs showed on a computer screen shot from Halifax the following which may be interesting for all Caggers who have had old Halifax loans and problems etc This screen shot had been generated in relation to my CPR requests and SAR request (although Halifax did not highlight the fact there was no Default notice available) The below is a summary of the information only the rest of the shot was ref no's, date etc Category: MEM COLLECTION MEMOS Date actioned: **/03/2012 Description - email received from risk ops Comments dfn In 2004 we were on old version of CACS and the notes weren't archived for these loans DFN not available just for Caggers information it may help?

Hi Guys, 1st post ever so please bear with!! In short, here's the situation : Was on a DMP until late last year when i finally payed them off. Whilst going over my credit report last night it came to light that Halifax/Blair Oliver & Scott (not sure yet which one) has registered the default in June 2008, way after i started the DMP in Aug 2007 but not only is the date incorrect but they have also registered the default to my current address BUT i did not move here until Dec 09.................. Firstly, i have been under the impression that the lender/agencies have between 3 & 6 months to register a default? Secondly, i didnt live at my address when they registered the default so is it likely that they have gone in and input info after the actual time frame? As both sets of information are entirely inaccurate, is there anything i can do or would be likely at succeeding?! i know what these guys are like..... I have spoken to Experian today and they can shed no light. Can anyone help.......................PLEASE!!!! I will be very grateful for any feedback

I have a halifax current account and it had a £100 overdraft. As my mum uses the account too I turned off the overdraft and started using another current account. Anyway by accident I had all my cards automatically set up on paypal and i charged £370.00 to the account a few days later. instead of declining the transactions because there wasn't that in there..it minused the account and used my mums funds. i of course reimbursed her because it was my fault. But I wondered was this a glitch or normal? Can haifax do this..and am i at fault..or??

Hi All, I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of making a claim for unfair treatment under the FSA Conduct of Business Sourcebook - COBS. I think that I have a valid claim against Halifax but I was just wondering if there were any POC's around. I did start to write my POC using BCOBS until I realised that only applied to bank accounts & that any claim for a credit card needed to be made using COBS. I know that I have to make the claim for breach of contract under COBS laying out the reasons why I have been treated unfairly. I intend to make reference to The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 s.5 as well as possibly Consumer Credit Act s.140A. The unfair treatment includes increasing the card rate to almost 30% immediately after being informed that my fixed term contract had ended & that I was at that point unemployed, offering to freeze interest in writing & then refusing, offering again to freeze interest & then taking no action, refusing to accept that I have a dispute over charges, ignoring letters even those sent special delivery to named directors, issuing defective default notices, constant & provable harassment by phone from Halifax & it's DCA's despite being informed that the account is in dispute. I feel that they have manipulated my situation to make themselves extra cash knowing that being unemployed that I would be unable to repay the complete balance. They have treated me unfairly because they chosen a route which favours their own interests over mine & have failed to abide by the Lending code on the fair treatment of customers in financial difficulty. Breaching COBS rules 6 & 8 at least. The part I have a problem with is what I should request the court to rule. Rather than a monetary sum I have been led to believe that it would be best to ask the court to simply rule on the breach of COBS & possibly that I have a claim for unfairness under Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 s.5 as well as possibly Consumer Credit Act s.140A. I was just wondering if anyone had any idea how to word this section of the POC correctly & also since it's not a monetary claim what the cost is likely to be. Any input would be most appreciated as I want to get this filed & stick it to them as soon as possible, at least then they might begin to take the dispute a little more seriously than they currently are. Thanks in advance.

Hello, I hope someone can help me! I received a letter today from Wescot Credit Services asking for £809.99 relating to a Halifax Current Account. Shocked doesn't quite cover my reaction... I called them to discuss this and they were very nice, I got very upset (recently had a baby, so i'm very emotional anyway!) and they agreed to put it on hold while they got further evidence from Halifax. I also called Halifax who said they couldn't do anything as it was out of their hands. I had a Halifax account that was £470 overdrawn and in December 2010 i paid in £500 to clear the account. At the time, I had moved house a few months before and had a royal mail re-direct in place. It would appear that there was another month of overdraft charges, £34, left to come on the account the month after I had paid. Unfortunately my £500 wasn't quite enough to cover the £470 and the final charge. The charges continued without my knowledge and by the time the debt had reached the point where they wrote to me, the mail re-direct had long since finished and I knew nothing about it. Needless to say, with a newborn baby in the house, this was the last thing I needed! I am amazed that £34 can become £800 in 2.5 years without me knowing anything was happening, and I really don't just have £800 laying around to pay this off with. I am writing to Halifax and Wescot explaining the above. This was a genuine error and the fact I paid in £500 when I owed £470 shows, in my opinion, genuine intent to pay off the original debt. If I had known there was still £34 to pay, I would have paid instantly. I am going to offer to pay the original £34. Am I doing the right thing and can anyone offer any other advice or hope that I might reduce the amount? Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Halifax have withdrawn my O/D facility and won't renew it, they continue to add a daily O/D fee rendering me further into debt. This does not seem to concern them. I explained that I cannot pay it back which fell on deaf ears. What is the way forward with this ?