markt v Halifax

[markt]

i asked for my bank statements going back 5 years. interestingly the lady said that a lot of people had been doing this recently, but as they had been archived she would have to check that they were accessable. after listening to some muzak for 7 minutes, she returned to say that she had sent the request through (she didnt mention that there was any charge for the them either) and that i should expect them in 4 to 5 weeks.

 

this is the start of my journey into getting some money back from the halifax. i have been a loyal customer having been with them for 18 years. unfortunately, i lost my job in the city in 2000 and struggled with getting any jhob for 3 years. i was always rubbish with money and assumed that bank charges were punishment for this, but looking back now i realise that they are the main reason i was so skint.

 

im so excited about finding out how much i have paid away over the 6 years. im almost finding it cathartic over my money problems in the past.

 

i intend to start with the halifax, move onto SMPL Mortgages, Capital One credit cards and see how far i get.

 

this is a fantastic site and yes .... i will be donating at least 5% of the proceeds back into the site.

 

if anyone is interested i will keep this updated as i go through the initial process with the Halifax

 

update 15/6/06 ... called them again to check she was lying yesterday about my dpa request. told yes definately being processedand should be through with a week. i mentioned that she didnt say it would cost anything yesterday, the reply came that it should have but it has been noted on my file that no charge will be made! also they have no back log on DPA requests at the moment, whereas they did a month ago!

21/6/06 just called them again. firstly chasing my new card (as last one was swallowed mysteriously by a cash machine on friday night ......) then chasing where my statements are. she said they have no record of me asking for them. hmmm i thought ... she then checked with the business centre and yes my statements should take 10 days to be produced then sent out and yes there is a note on the file saying i dont have to pay anything

[Movingon]

LOL we're ALWAYS interested. Who knows which case is going to be that little bit different, or which time they're going to try something new?

 

BTW - I hope that they haven't charged you a fortune for these statements, and I further hope that they are actually going to send them... they are always stalling, the Halifax, and you will probably find that she went away for a cup of tea, and then came back saying she'd ordered your statements!

 

You're probably best off reading the FAQ, looking through the step-by-step guide, and following it to the letter, ALL in writing. They have no way out if you do that.

[Seminole]

If you're planning to take on SPML start a thread in other institutions and I'll help out. I've just reached a settlement with them.

[jonni2bad]

I'll keep track of your case in here.....

 

Welcome to the Halifax Freedom Fighters

[Tinkerbelle]

Yes! Welcome

 

Lots of winners on here

[markt]

just updated if anyone is interested?

[Movingon]

And??

[jonni2bad]

mark - if you update us with new posts, it's easier to keep track.

 

Cheers

[markt]

just realised that due to the 6 year period i have had other accounts with the halifax.

 

i searched at home and cant find any documentation.

 

should i a) send them a letter with my DOB, address etc asking for account numbers

 

b) gently amble into a branch a see if they will do it.

 

or

 

c) as ive asked for my bank statements, wait till i have those in my sweaty mitts then do one of the above.

 

i think by the end of it they will be pretty miffed as i have a current account, 2 loan accounts, halifax visa and mortgage with them over this period.

 

got the stuff thru from snatch west this morning for my parachute account with was handy.

 

any thoughts??

 

thanks

[thewifeandI]

Either of the first two approaches should be OK - if going in person, take proof of ID and previous addresses - utility bill, etc. (if applicable). Might be worth having a copy of the DPA letter and tenner with you to kick off a request as soon as you have the account numbers. Yo can ask for all accounts with the same bank under one DPA request. You might want to get one claim underway whilst you await the data from the other accounts, especially if you think that you might exceed £5K in charges.

[fivelaws]

Option (b) might be the best. As TWAI says, if you take the proof of ID with you, it will be much quicker and once you've got the details you can hand-deliver the DPA request and pay the tenner!

 

Good luck.

[markt]

went into the branches in the city asked for a/c numbers. they asked why. i said because im bored. they all laughed and gave the numbers.

 

thanks for all your help guys

[markt]

called the halifax from home last night to find out where my statements were.

 

im now eating humble pie as i realise there are no shortcuts to getting your money back....

 

she looked at my file. saw the initial conversation ... saw the 2nd conversation where they agreed to waive their fees ..... saw a chase up call. then informed me that the business centre had turned down my request to free statements and would not be sending them without payment.

 

she also told me that they didnt have to tell me this was the case either!

 

i told her to take the fee out of my account but i deemed that the dpa was in place from 13/6/06 and the clock was ticking.

 

i kept my cool as there is no point in shooting the messenger but it goes to show a) their stalling tactics and b) always follow the prescribed guidance from here.

[jonni2bad]

Ahhh, Grasshopper says........ wise words

[markt]

handed in SAR and have a receipt ......

[markt]

received statemnts for current account on saturday ... going to claim £3380!

 

also ;-

 

1. i posted under rooftop mortgages with this

"

sent them a prelim letter on 20/6 asking for £225 back.

 

received letter yesterday saying:-

 

"i confirm that i have reviewed all the charges which have been debited to your account and can confirm that they have been paid correctly. these charges will not, therefore, be removed from your account"

 

tells me to send a letter to financial ombudsman and encloses a list of their charges.

 

i guess they are just saying up yours. im now sending out my 1st LBA.

 

i hope im doing this in the right way ....."

 

can anyone help

 

and

 

2. SMPL have not replied to my original prelim letter. i guess i send out LBA now but same question as above ... which letter?

 

thanks for your help

[markt]

chill everyone sorted.

 

thanks

[markt]

sent my prelim, followed up by LBA to Halifax. finally got a reply to letters on Saturday saying they are looking into my claim.

 

the problem i have is i go away on hols on Saturday week. im going to issue proceedings but should i do it before i go or after i get back. just worried in case i need to turn up or respond to a letter

[Bookworm]

PLEASE stay on 1 thread per claim, it makes things easier to follow for all.

 

Depends how long you are going for, really, but once you have issued claim, they have 14 days to acknowledge, then 28 days to file a defence, in which time you have nothing to do but wait, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[markt]

thanks and also ....

 

im still waiting for the breakdown of my other accounts from my SAR. this could be fun. looks like they just looked at my current account. half way through the 40 days

[markt]

i was £85 in credit! called them up and they are refunding that but paying no interest ..... theyve had that for 3 years. also im going to claim the other £140 in charges plus interest plus the interest on the £85 ... happy days

[markt]

got my 1st offer im so excited ...£247 full and final .... sent letter thanking them kindly but off on hols so will issue moneyclaim on my return. im looking foward to the *% interest now as well thats another £725

 

deep joy

[markt]

can anyone change the title to markt vs halifax please ... cheers ... west ham for the cup !

[JMio]

No worries, that's it done. - Good luck

[markt]

having received my statements for my bank accounts/credit cards and loan account ... the mortgage people inform me that they want £15 per statement ...... ggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

does antone have a standard letter informing them that they can only charge £10 SAR fee

 

thanks for your help ... i just want to get the terminology correct!