Barclays problems with over overdraft

[Stan**]

Hi all,

 

In short, I moved house 4 months ago. It took me perhaps a month to get round to contacting Barclays to change address. i phoned to do it over the phone, though I was told I must do it in branch (I thought this odd as I done it over the phone with Barclaycard).The lady also put a stop to all mail to my old address.

2/3 weeks passed, and I got round to calling in to the local branch.

The girl on the counter refused to action my request as I didnt have my debit card (lost during move), she said I needed it, it was the only way.

I searched high and low over the next couple of weeks, found the card and went back to the branch. Its worth noting I dont actually use this account on a daily basis, hence the card being somewhere other than my wallet. I also dont know the pin number. I got told over the counter I needed the pin. I explained I didnt know it, and once again I was refused the request to change address, with no alternative given.

 

Approx 4-5 months have passed, and yesterday a letter came to my NEW address from Barclays, notifying me I was approx £200 over my overdraft limit, and because of this they are requesting my card and chequebook be returned since they are withdrawing my banking facility.

 

I know I have been slack and perhaps not been as persistent as I should have, but nevertheless I faced a brick wall when trying to ammend my contact details. On these grounds, what rights do I have for any charges and interest that have accrued to be removed since I was provided with my last physical statement?

 

As always, any help is greatly appreciated.

[slick132]

Hi Stan,

 

First off, you need to decide if you want to remain with Barclays or not.

 

If YES, you should speak to someone at your branch (preferably someone you know) and see if they'll agree to keep the a/c open if you clear the overlimit problem.

 

If NO, you need to open an alternative a/c very quickly, before Barclays prevent you doing this by posting adverse credit data on your CRA files (if they haven't already done this).

 

Even if adverse data is recorded against you, there are basic a/c's available that you should be able to open and use.

 

As regards WHY the overdraft has accrued and the bank's choice to close your a/c, it really is your own fault. You could have notified the branch in writing at any time and, if they required other details or proof, you should have supplied it sooner.

 

Concentrate on getting a new a/c opened if necessary, so you can continue with banking facilities.

 

[Stan**]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

 

Yes, I agree and acknowledge it was ultimately my responsibility.

 

I phoned Barclays today regarding it, basically because the OD facility has now been removed I need to repay the full amount - circa £2300 (OD=2100). They offered a 6 month payment plan which I couldn't commit to, they however then offered "a small loan" if I can show my income/expenditure shows I cannot pay within 6 months.

 

So Im going to write to them with these details and see how it can be resolved.

 

Do I have any grounds for them to refund any/all of the reserve fees (£22?)? Or are they deemed to be a lawfull charge?

 

Thanks!

[slick132]

Hi Stan,

 

If you believe you were suffering financial difficulty at the time you incurred Barclays' £22 fees, you can write to them. Ask that they stop adding interest and charges and that they refund any default charges that were made while you were/are suffering the financial difficulty.

 

See here - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/content.php?557-Letter-for-an-application-for-consideration-for-hardship

 

[Stan**]

Hi Stan,

 

If you believe you were suffering financial difficulty at the time you incurred Barclays' £22 fees, you can write to them. Ask that they stop adding interest and charges and that they refund any default charges that were made while you were/are suffering the financial difficulty.

 

See here - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/content.php?557-Letter-for-an-application-for-consideration-for-hardship

 

 

Yes I guess there's no harm in asking them for a refund.

 

If they offer me a loan as has been implied, are they at liberty to charge whatever interest they like??

[slick132]

Hi Stan,

 

Do you believe you may be considered as being in Financial Difficulty. If so, follow the action suggested in my link above.

 

I don't think a loan is your best option unless they can offer you a good interest rate which would mean payments that you can really afford to get you past this problem.

 

[Stan**]

Things arent so bad now, but that's only been the last maybe 6 months in the making. I still have very little disposable income however.

Previously, and the main reason for the account staying on the OD limit for a number of years, I was self employed and spent alot of personal funds trying to sustain my old company.

 

Im going to draft one letter explaining my situation over the last few years inc a copy of income/expenditure, and also a second letter for SAR so I can nail down some charges. Or am I better of doing the SAR and then including the details of charges I would like refunded in the letter claiming difficulty?

 

Thanks.

[slick132]

If you write to the bank about your situation over the last few years, keep it short and relevant. Use the Template I referred to (for Financial Difficulty) as a guide.

 

If you don't have full details of default charges already, you'll have to send the SAR.

 

You do them both now but by separate letters.

 

[Stan**]

Thanks,

 

Im presuming you mean SAR first so I can then use these figures in FD letter??

[slick132]

No, you should notify the bank asap about the Financial Difficulty. You don't need to be specific at this stage about how much you want them to refund.

 

The bank should actually offer to refund the correct amount based on the a/c info THEY have and length of time you consider you have been having FD's.

 

[Stan**]

Excellent, after reading abit more this was the assumption i made and sent a letter outlining FD.

 

Thanks for your help mate, will update with any news