Advice Needed!

[jscouser2002]

I have a normal bank account, without an overdraft facility. Everytime I have accidentaly gone overdrawn by anything over £25 I then get charged a £25 fee for everytime this is done. Over the past 2 years this has happened a few times. Its not a credit card its just a normal solo bank card!

 

Can I claim any of these fee's back?

 

Thanks

Any advice appreciated

[neilloffhagen]

Short answer is yes you can. Best read through the FAQ to understand what you're undertaking if you go ahead, then you won't make the mistake as I did of asking a wuestion that was already answered there

[jscouser2002]

sorry, im having trouble navigating through the site! Even difficult finding the faq. Is there anyway of finding templates of documents that i can send the bank etc!

[alanfromderby]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=5

[jscouser2002]

Alot of the charges were from a long time ago when I was young and stupid and used to gamble more than I could afford! So the transactions may be for going overdrawn for multiple betting transactions! Can the bank say that I was well aware of what I was doing treating it as an extra facility and refuse to refund?

 

I tell you what does bold well for me there was one time when my card stopped refusing transactions which I then receieved charges for going overdrawn, I then contacted the bank and complained that the card should not accept transactions if there is no money in the basic account! They then agreed fixed the setting so it stopped authorising transactions! Three months later it started accepted transactions when I had no money in the account!

[Spiceskull]

Hi JS,

 

Welcome to the group - it is a scary step, but you do need to be aware of what you are doing.

 

It really does take a few days to get your head around all the arguments and all the information. The FAQs and Library have answers to 95% of the questions you want to ask. I would strongly suggest reading them before coming back with more questions

 

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.

[alanfromderby]

The day your bank starts to dictate what you are allowed to spend money on it is the end for us all!!

 

It doesn't matter why you incurred these unlawful charges - they are still unlawful charges.

[jscouser2002]

I am trying to find an address to send DPA disclosure request to, because i am editing the templates so they are suitable for me. If i do decide to go ahead and try and claim back my charges.

 

What is a suitable address tos end it to?

 

I have seen the contact details on hsbc bank action group page. But unsure which one is most suitable!

[Spiceskull]

The best one to use for your first letter is your local branch. The bank's internal systems will ensure that the letter gets to the right person. Suggest sendiong it recorde delivery. Good luck.

[jscouser2002]

Just to confirm, this is the correct order to send the letters in?

 

1st Data Protection Act Disclosure Request

2nd Preliminary Approach For Repaymant

3rd Letter Before Action

 

Obviously each depending on outcome of each letter and my situation

[MondeoST24]

You forgot the best one

 

4. The Good News

 

[jscouser2002]

I am prepared to send the first DPA letter to recieve information about my charges and transactions etc. I just want to know what would be the correct address to send it to.

 

Would it be a specific customer service department? or my local Branch, addressed branch manager?

 

Also what is the best method for me to send the letter to prevent bank from saying they havent recieved the letter etc so that they then may be able to prevent me from winning by default?

[Spiceskull]

The Manager,

Local Branch.

 

Dear Sir/Madam...

[neilloffhagen]

I sent my DPA request to my branch manager at my local branch address (the one on my cheque books) and got a reply. The reply was not from my local manager, but the letter had obviously been forwarded on. If you're not sure who your branch manager is, you can call up customer services (use the local number - 01226 261010 - not the 08457 one) and ask them who he/she is.

 

Another reason for using the local branch is that if it gets to court you can then apply to the court near you rather than one miles away where the banks head office is.

 

Neil.

[jscouser2002]

thanks

 

Also just want to make sure is it ok to just copy and paste the templates on this site and use them? Or is it best to reword it to my own

[alanfromderby]

Keep the wording as close to the template as you can, apart from the odd changes you will need to make it fit your circumstances. The letters are carefully worded to have maximum effect, and legal accuracy.

[jscouser2002]

Thanks

 

I think i am starting to understand the process and possible outcomes more now, i feel as tho the process is looking easier and less complicated than first thought. Which makes me wonder am i missing something? Hope not! I am also feeling more comfortable that there is nothing the bank can do to prevent them giving me my money back or at elast taking a small percentage of it for themselves the covers the realisitic costs, giving me the real amount that was illegal taken from my account! I am actually feeling very confident!

 

I am going tos end DPA letter friday when I have read alot more of these boards and gained more knowledge

[alanfromderby]

That is the best advice - the more you read other peoples experiences the more the process becomes clear. Should anything happen in the process that needs further help - there are plenty of people ready to offer advice and support.

 

All the best.

[jscouser2002]

what is the best method for me to send each letter to prevent bank from saying they havent recieved the letter etc so that they then may be able to prevent me from winning by default?

[neilloffhagen]

Use recorded delivery. You can then check on-line to see that it has been delivered. Doesn't cost much more than a normal stamp. Well, I suppose in relative terms it's about 4 times the cost? The only inconvenience is that you have to go into a post office to do it. Can't just drop it in a post box. But, it is worth it.

 

Neil.

[jscouser2002]

Use recorded delivery. You can then check on-line to see that it has been delivered. Doesn't cost much more than a normal stamp. Well, I suppose in relative terms it's about 4 times the cost? The only inconvenience is that you have to go into a post office to do it. Can't just drop it in a post box. But, it is worth it.

 

Neil.

 

Do i then get any other confirmation that they have actually recieved the document, ie written

[Spiceskull]

When you send recorded delivery you get a 'barcode/ID number" - log onto Post Office/Track & Trace a day or two after posting and it will tell you which office delivered it and when...

[jscouser2002]

This topic was closed on 03/08/19.

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