Bettyboop v Ulster Bank

[Bettyboop]

Hi All

 

Think I have finally found the right place to post. Its really good to see others in here who are taking on the Northern Ireland Banks (who are the absolute pits when it comes to charges).

 

I hand delivered my SAR at the beginning of July (along with a crisp £10 note) and had to stand for quite some time while the staff all gathered around it and mumbled (it was hilarious), then called the manager to look at it, and then eventually accepted it (and I did have a receipt already drawn up for signature by a member of staff as my proof) and a member of staff duly signed it acknowledging receipt. It felt great! I received my back statements from their Dublin branch last week (but only 3 years worth). I tried to ring them, but they refuse to deal directly with customers and told me to go through my branch. Rang the branch yesterday and they said they would look into it (I won't hold my breath). The 3 years statements I have contain charges amounting to £1600 so perhaps I should proceed with these (NI court limit is £2k) and do the rest when they arrive (split them so to speak). Can anyone advise me if this is sensible?

[maguire1980]

Hi there,

 

Spilting them up into 2 is exactly what I'm about to do. I'm going after the Bank of Ireland for £3965 (just sent 2nd letter today) and Ulster Bank for £3000 (first letter sent today). My accounts are business accounts and I had to chase the statements up from the Dublin office myself. The girl I spoke to down there said they were getting hundreds of these requests. Perhaps they have now decided not to deal with customers personally? Definately keep on them and get your remaining three years back.

 

Good luck with your fight!

[Bettyboop]

Hi Maguire

 

Thanks for advice. Think I will go ahead with the first claim (will give them a week until the 40 days are up). Funny thing is, while I was out today a message was left on my answerphone from "my bank about the query I have" and the message sounded quite snotty. Isn't a local number I have been left, so it will be interesting to see what they are ringing about! Will update on Monday after I speak to them.

 

Good luck to you too - let me know how you get on.

[maguire1980]

About the phone call - as soon as I sent the Subject Access Request - the manager of the bank was on the phone to my parents (whose accounts it is) acting dumb and asking them why they want the information. Thankfully - I'd told them to act dumb. But maybe this is a bullying tactic?

[Bettyboop]

Thanks again Maguire

 

Will bear that in mind when I ring them on Monday. Will post on Monday and update in case anyone else comes across this tactic from Ulster Bank. Oh and by the way - the dial code on the number left is a Birmingham number (Ulster Bank is part of the RBS group as you know and I think this may be one of their departments).

 

Think I saw it mentioned on here before, but was browsing last night and came across the Ulster Bank fee for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. If I'm reading it correctly, there seems to be a huge difference in the amounts charged depending which part you bank in. According to their site - £30 for Unpaid DD in NI, Euro12.50 down South? I'm gonna check this out a little more (to be sure of my facts) and if I'm right, bring it to the attention of local MLAs (give them something to do for their wages).

 

Cheers

 

 

 

Bettyboop

[lickthewallfatboy]

betty

have a look at my post http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/other-institutions/20574-northern-ireland-members-look.html

 

it has links to the banks websites for Rep of Ireland.There is a huge difference in fees,and I've already written to the Northern to challenge this.

[Bettyboop]

Hi LTWFB

 

Absolute baskets! I thought I may have read this wrong - does this seriously mean what they charge 'us up North' £30 for, is only costing Euro12.50 (a very rough guess at £8 down South? If this is correct, I am really surprised no one has kicked up about this before. Can you let me know what reply you get from the Northern.

 

 

 

[Bettyboop]

Rang the number left on my answerphone on Friday. The message had been that it was from 'my bank' so I wrongly assumed it was Ulster Bank. It was in fact from my credit card company (Lloyds TSB who I have another thread on) regarding my application for statements.

 

So went ahead with my preliminary to Ulster Bank today covering the limited number of statements they sent me.

 

Now just have to be patient and wait .........

[Bettyboop]

No word from Ulster Bank after Prelim Request sent so posted LBA today, then received letter from Bank Manager in post mid morning as follows:-

 

I'm sorry that you were less than satisfied with the level of service blah blah blah............. I have escalated your concern to our Customer Relations Unit who will contact you directly blah blah blah

 

Then the good bit -

 

I am committed to making sure the cause of your concern is dealt with quickly and effectively. The enclosed leaflet (Making Your Voice Heard) tells you more about how Ulster Bank handles customers concerns.

 

And they didn't bother to enclose the leaflet - ahhhhh so that's how they handle customer concerns. Says it all really.

 

I think I'll write to them and ask if its like the other half of the bank statements I requested, ie invisible?

 

Anyway LBA gone, so clock is ticking again. Doesn't time fly when you're having fun.

[Bettyboop]

Just to update. Received a letter today from Ulster Bank Head Office more or less with the message 'bog off'.

 

We believe that our charges are fair and transparent. We consider that the amounts debited to your account have been applied strictly in accordance with your agreement with us and our published tariff, which we are satisfied complies with all applicable laws and regulations. We are also committed to ensuring the transparency of the information that we give to our customers about the operation of our products.

 

Consequently,against that background, we must differ with the views expressed in your letter and I, therefore, regret to advise that we will not be refunding any of the charges applied to your bank account.

 

Again, thank you for taking the time and trouble to write.

 

How patronising is that last line?

 

I don't think there's any point waiting until Friday to complete the claim, will do it tomorrow night.

 

Any words of encouragement or support would be very much appreciated!!!!

[eratu13]

Banks are very good at being patronising ,easier to blame us for being irresponsible than admit the truth, that its just a form of theft. I wish you every success and will follow your case closely ,before I was with the First Trust I was with the ulster and they ripped be off too ,unfortunately it was before 1999 or I would be after the s***s too!!

 

eratu13

[monstermind]

Extremely patronising letter from Ulster, but just what we've come to expect from them. Was good to read elsewhere though that they have already refunded charges to someone on the forum. Keep going!

[Bettyboop]

Thanks for the support guys (and girls). The patronising tone of the letter really wound me up - it was so dismissive!

 

I wonder if they'll send the court a reply like - "thank you for taking the time and trouble to send this claim against us......." lol

 

Good luck to everyone else

 

Will keep you updated

 

Bettyboop

[Bettyboop]

Hit a slight hitch tonight!! Mouse decided to go wonky (despite lots of cleaning, thumping, shaking, threats). Had intended to rush home from work, do up interest on schedule of charges (had only completed so far without interest) and complete online claim. Because of stoopid mouse took forever to complete.

 

Want your opinions now - claim comes to £1690.08 and when I completed interest section, interest comes to over £600. Seems an awful lot! Have checked and rechecked and can't find anywhere Ive gone wrong. Could it be because the charges are 2000-2002 (quite a long time ago).

 

Any advice or opinion would be appreciated (don't want to make a faux pas with the claim).

 

Come on all you mathematical geniuses - does this figure sound right to you?

 

Bettyboop

[Bettyboop]

Finally completed online claim today.

£1690.08 + £687.37 interest + £62.00 court fee so grand total of £2439.45.

 

Once again, the clock starts ticking ..............

[besty01]

filed mine 17-9 they have 30 days

[Bettyboop]

Hi Besty

 

have they made any acknowledgement of your claim? Also, as I did it online, did you just post your schedule of charges to the court?

 

Bettyboop

[besty01]

nothing from ulster bank yet

yes posted it in

use the page on the web site print and staple ur charges with it

[Bettyboop]

Thanks Besty

 

This one only covers 2000 - 2002. Only received the rest of the statements last week, so will save them for the next claim.

 

Good luck with yours

 

Bettyboop