Im too scared to claim

[leeada]

Hello All,

 

I have had nothing but problems with charges for 6+ years with the coop bank, im estimating my charges to be around 2k - 3k, my latest set of charges about 2 years ago took my account balance to -800 I contacted coop and they didnt write off the charges but turned the -800 into a reducing overdraft of 20 pounds a month, this overdraft has now been reduced to -540 and is reducing by £40 a month, so in affect im still paying the charges. Im scared to claim or start a fuss because if they take this overdraft off me all of a sudden because im kicking off then I will be in a very bad financial situation. Any advice would be welcome. Thanks Lee.

[Mr lex]

Hi Lee,

 

Welcome to the Consumer Action Group

 

There are a lot of people on this site who have been in the same place you are now.

 

You will find this a very friendly place to help you reclaim your charges

 

The first thing you need is a list of all your charges, if you have all your statements, thats fine. If not you need to get these from the Co-op. There is a letter you can send here :-

 

1. Data Protection Act, Subject Access Request letter - List of charges

 

Although the banks have a ongoing test case with OFT there are a number of reasons why you should start your claim now.

 

Any older charges (coming up to 6 years) could be lost if you wait for the OFT case to end. Start your claim now and those charges are protected.

 

When the stays are finally lifted, you will be one of the first in the queue to get paid.

 

While the banks are protected by the stays, we the consumer, have no such protection and charges continue to mount up.

For some people this may mean going into default. If it is clear that the default was made in respect of charges and that it was lodged after a charges claim was begun then these users have a really excellent chance of having it removed.

 

I have some links below for you to look at, have a good read, it will help you though out your claim.

 

Hope this helps get you started. Come back and shout in the Co-op forum if you need any help

 

It is unlikely they will retaliate by closing your overdraft, in fact once you claim, the account is in dispute. All they can do is repay the overdraft with your reclaimed charges !!

 

Lex

[leeada]

Thanks Lex, I'll work on getting that SAR sent off. Ill keep you posted on how I get on. Lee.

[Mr lex]

Look forward to following your success Lee

 

Don't forget, your 'reclaiming your right as a consumer'

 

Lex

[leeada]

Lex,

 

I don't currently have a cheque book to enclose the £10 with the sar, would it be advisable for me to say in the letter that they are hereby authorised to debit my account by £10 for the service?

 

Cheers,

 

Lee.

[Mr lex]

Hi Lee,

 

You could offer that or send a postal order. If you do the later, make a note of the PO number and don't forget to send it Special Recorded delivery, keep the receipt and tracking number somewhere safe. To be honest, most banks return the £10 anyway, as a sign of good faith (sic)

 

I'll be looking out for you,

 

Lex

[Mr lex]

Lee,

 

Thers's another good reason to get your claim to court a.s.a.p. You are then entitled to claim 8% interest on your charges, as you have some going back a few years, it could be worth a tidy sum

 

Lex

[sallysas]

If you want, open a parachute account elsewhere just to be on the safe side. By the way how long have you banked with them - as Mr Lex says it could be a tidy sum with interest. If they fail to send you ALL THE DATA about your banking history with them it would be worth playing your face. I think I got 10 years worth of statements out of them. This will get interesting and you will enjoy it I promise. Keep us posted.

[leeada]

Hi,

 

I have banked with them for at least 10 years and they have made thousands out of me, it will be interesting to see what they send me back from the sar.

 

Lee.

[sea-sidelady]

Don't forget to keep a note of all your dates. Don't forget they have 40 days from the day they receive the SAR to send your information.

 

Did you send the cheque/postal order in the end?

[leeada]

Hi all,

 

I have sent off the sar today, SallySas I have banked with them for over 10 years so it should be interesting to see what i get back. I've heard from various sources that Coop do not charge for this info, but to be on the safe side i've authorised them to debit my account if neccessary. Ball is rolling!!!

 

Lee.

[noomill060]

I hope you get your data, but in my experience banks will use any way to get out of providing it.

 

They may use the fact that you didnt enclose the £10 payment not to comply.

 

Just because you authorised them to take the fee from you account, doesnt mean they will.

[sea-sidelady]

Just because you authorised them to take the fee from you account, doesnt mean they will.

 

A lot of the time they wont.

[sallysas]

I suggest you send a covering letter (just adapt part of the sar letter to make it feel legal) and send £10 cheque. If you're feeling cheeky tell them that you regard the 40 days as starting 2 days after you posted the original sar. Can't remember if they keep you waiting for the data like some of the blighters or not.

[leeada]

Hi,

 

Thats a good idea Sally, I know they received it on the 03/09 so i'll give it a week or so before I do as you suggested. I have read somewhere on here that Co-Op do not charge for this info and are also quick on turnaround so hopefully that will be the case with me, but im not lucky !!!.

 

Cheers,

 

Lee.

[sallysas]

'Course you're going to be lucky you are in the right place. I bet nothing's turned up yet so will you be sending them my cheeky letter this weekend?

[leeada]

Sally,

 

Nothing turned up yet, Im thinking how to word the follow up letter without sounding too cheeky.

 

Cheers,

 

Lee.

[sallysas]

Just adapt the sar letter but a bit shorter. Have a good night's sleep and sit down with a cuppa tomorrow morning if that is your best time of day. You can always post it here first if you want a second opinion.

[pompeyfaith]

They did not charge me £10 but all i got was a sheet of A4 with the charges listed which in my case was not much use so i sent the check back and ask for full disclosure of all info oh they paid out in 2007 but now a second S.A.R is on the way as they are still adding fees etc plus ive had 4 loans with the coop over the yrs ive been with them and was mis-sold PPI so right now im working on my PPI Spreadsheet.

 

Good Luck

 

Leon