Griggs79 v Halifax Card Services!!! Urgent help needed! Interest to everyone!

[griggs79]

I received the following in a letter on Saturday, after sending Halifax first letter.

 

"I refer to a letter received on your account.

 

Naturally, from the offset I would like to apologise that you have found cause fro complaint about the charges applied. I am sorry for th inconvienience this has caused you. Card Services prides itself on delivering the highest customer service and I regret that on this occasion our service did not meet your expectation.

 

We have now received the details of the OFT findings and are studying those findings closely, assesing the impact this has on all our customers.

 

There is no change to our current fee policy and we do not expect to make any announcements before 31st May.

 

I trust this clarifies our position however should any of your concerns remain unresolved please let me know what you'd like me to put matters right. We are keen to resolve your concerns.

 

If I am unable to do so, you will also find enclosed a copy of our Complaint Leaflet that provides details of how you can contact the Financial Ombudsman Service for help. Howerver, if I don't hear from you in the next eight weeks, I will assume you are happy and close my file.

 

Should you wish to disccuss you concerns further, then please telephone me on the above number."

 

 

What should I do....

1. Wait until 31st May

2. Send second letter

3. Proceed straight to court?

[Guest blindman]

As has been said many times on this board, stick to YOUR timetable.

 

As you have received a less than satisfactory reply then send the second letter (LBA) giving them 14 days to reply.

 

Then if no response take them to court on 24th April (14 days from today).

 

Still gives you time before the 31st May.

 

Good luck

[Bookworm]

What should I do....

1. Wait until 31st May

2. Send second letter

3. Proceed straight to court?

 

1 - Hell no. At most, they'll reduce their charges to £12 from that point on. (with a metaphorical gun to their heads). It won't affect what you're claiming now 1 way or another, this is just a smokescreen.

 

2 - Yes. Letter before action, 7 or 14 days (up to you).

 

3 - Not right now, but in the 7 or 14 days from your letter (see 2, lol)

 

You set the timetable, don't let them distract you from it.

[lmoore]

What are the 'OFT findings' and how do/will they effect future claims?

 

Cheers,

Leigh.

[dave]

The OFT 'found' that the charges were unfair and possibly unlawful.

 

They said that if a charge was over £12 then they would take legal action - but stressed that even if a charge was less than £12 it doesn't mean that the charge is fair.

 

They also stated that it was for the courts to decide what was fair.

[lmoore]

Thanks for the clarification Dave.

 

Cheers,

Leigh.

[griggs79]

Having sent my final LBA last week, I have just had a phone call from the Halifax.

 

First of all their agent informed me that my letter contained all the "standard paragraphs that everyone is using, charges are unlawful etc. etc."

 

He then said that they are receiving loads of these and that Halifax policy was always to defend any claims and that they are legal.

 

They have offered me £78.00 (my last two charges) out of a total of £333.00 of charges. He said that due to the amounts of claims they want to close the case and this is the offer they are making to everyone.

 

 

I have said that I will not consider any offer unless in writting.

 

My plan is not to sign and accept the offer but to go ahead with the claim in court.

 

But is this "we will defend the claim" a threat that they will go all the way to court with me? Is this their new policy?

 

 

 

MODERATED post moved .. please keep to your original thread when posting updates this is for eyeryones benefit.

[griggs79]

They are two seperate claims one for my current account one for my credit card

 

EDIT Sorry , I should of checked . I will move it back

[Janet-M]

Scare tactics to get you to accept the low amount .. Everyone who starts a claim should do it thinking it will go to court.to date no one has been taken to court as they pay out , sometimes at the last minute.

If you accept this amount tell them that you will be pursuing the rest .They may only make this offer as ' full and final' .I would refuse it and carry on with your claim .

All deisions you make must be your own

[Janet-M]

Did you get my PM ?

[griggs79]

This topic was closed on 03/08/19.

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