Jill F Vs First Direct

[Jill F]

I'm just starting to look into this whole process of claiming back charges.

 

It will all be overdraft stuff that my claim will relate to but I am a little confused as to exactly what to claim for .

 

I've tried to get clarification from other threads but I am still confused! Sorry, might be a bit thick! Financial stuff has a habit of making glaze over...

 

I have on my account, 'Excess O/D fee', 'O/D fee' and 'Interest'. Depending on my spending some months have all or some of the above. The only charge that is constant is 'Interest' as my account is always overdrawn.

 

Please can somebody help me to understand exactly what I can claim for.

 

Thank you.

[Spiceskull]

Hi Jill,

 

It really does take a few days to get your head around all the arguments and all the information, but everything you need is in the FAQs - there is even information as to what is recoverable and what is not.

 

You will be setting a timetable (the timetable that the bank says it will work to is irrelevant). In the FAQ you will find 'first steps.' Start this, be clear on what your first step is (requesting the info from the bank so that you can calculate what they owe you)

 

Whilst waiting for the info, read up on your next step. If you make sure you stick to your own thread in the relevant area (eg [username] claim against [bank]), and use this as a sort of diary which you can update as things progress. It will also enable you to check responses to your questions, and people will be able to find your thread a lot easier.

 

Good luck.

 

You are here, you want your money back, you will get help and support in this, but it is YOUR call, and you must be prepared to put in the effort.

[Jill F]

Thanks.

 

I shall go back and have another look, perhaps it just takes a while to sink in!!

[vix2000]

Hi Jill. Welcome to the site. I have just put a court claim for FD for my daughter. Basically you can claim back excess o/d and o/d charges but not interest. Have you got your statements available or do you need to request them?

[Jill F]

Thanks for your reply.

I'm self employed so I think I may well have 6 years of statements in my old files. However, being in the process of moving house these are in storage at the moment! I do understand how to request them if necessary, that feels like the easy bit.

I have quite a large overdraft with FD and I am worried if I set the ball rolling that they may try and close my account and demand repayment of the o/d. I couldn't repay it myself at the moment, but thought if I added up the charges they have taken from me, if this covered the o/d then I would know it could be repaid... by them effectively!!

If you have any other advice it would be gratefully received.

[vix2000]

Hi Jill. My daughter also has a large overdraft but her charges are more. In the letter we sent from the library section of this site it does state that when the charges are repaid the overdraft will be cleared. Unfortunately the bank can close the account so most of the advice on here recommends that you already have, or can open a 'piggy back' account just in case . My daughter already has a halifax acct and isn't bothered if they close it. I think the bank can't close the account while you're disputing the charges, but I'm sure one of the mods will verify this for you. We got the statements quite quickly, and given that the schedule is 1st letter 14 days, letter before action 14 days then small claims application, the sooner you've worked out how much they've taken from you the better. Read Mondeo's threads as he's already made his court application and is a step ahead of us. Its nice to read other peoples progress, and I've found FD follow exactly the same process with everyone, so you know what to expect. Good Luck.

[Jill F]

Hi Vix.

It has just occurred to me that even if the charges don't amount to enough to pay off the whole of my o/d and lets say worse case scenario FD do demand repayment, I could always do a 0% balance credit card thing to pay off the remaining amount couldn't I!?

That thought in mind I feel a bit better, so will look into opening another current account just in case and continue to do my sums to see what they owe me.

Will look at Mondeo's threads too, thanx for the tip.

I'll keep you posted how I get on, would love to know how you progress too.

[vix2000]

Mondeo's just posted saying there's a problem with his court application. Something to do with not putting the interest in the right place on the form. May have to re apply. So his might be delayed now, which is a blow.

 

I really don't think they'll close your account while you're claiming as this would be seen as unfavourable by the court. If your charges pay most of the od off your new bank may give you an od to cover the balance?

[Jill F]

I've just finished doing my sums. Although I'm missing at least 12 months worth of statements over the past 6 years the charges so far are just under £1,000. Well worth claiming back, don't you think! I shall wait for the move to happen first, to see if I do have the other statements in storage and just so I can focus on one thing at a time!!

I know you said I could claim Excess O/D fee and O/D fee, are you 100% sure? Simply because I'm sure I read somewhere that you couldn't claim O/D fee, because that is what you pay for the service they offer you??

I shall go and have a read through Mondeo's stuff now.

[vix2000]

No, they are both illegal penalties and do not reflect the amount your actions have cost the bank. Your interst more than covers their losses. Be assured all my claims include both. Charges are not a service.

[Jill F]

Thanx Vix. And for the reply in chriszammets thread. Hope I didn't hijack his thread, just thought I'd ask the question... all new to me!!

[vix2000]

No probs. have a good read and if you've any questions, ask. Someone should be able to answer you. When I joined I spent hour poring over different threads and still have to ask question, sometimes.

[Jill F]

This topic was closed on 03/08/19.

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