My A&L story.. the beginning.

[Jes0rKah]

After reading many posts and the various FAQ's, statutes and laws, I believe it is time for me to begin my journey of charge refund action!

 

My main problems started about a year or so ago, after the sudden death of my mum, which inevitably led to a period of no work. I was charged for going a few pounds overdrawn, and because it was for over 5 days, I got the £50 charge. I rang them, explained the situation, and kindly requested the charge be stopped (it hadn't gone out of the account at that point). The response? "There's nothing we can do, it's not our problem." I was stunned, and what with everything going on, too drained to argue. I asked if there was any other way to solve my problem. "I suppose we could allow you a £50 overdraft." Wow, what an amazing favour that lovely bank had done for me! (Not. My brother had all his charges reversed by Lloyds that same day.)

 

Although I understand there has to be a fee, I was at that point unaware they charged for you to have an overdraft. But, hi ho, thats how it must be!

 

Anyhow, my problems have continued, now having to live in a rented house, bills have mounted but wages stayed the same. Over the past few months I've had charges left, right and centre (not helped by my temp job making me redundant suddenly) and my JSA claim not being paid yet (6 weeks & counting).

I'm now working again, although the change from weekly pay to monthly has added to problems.

 

But your site has spurred me into realising I can bounce back from all this! And so I thought I'd do you all a step by step update from the very beginning!

 

I'll be sending the DPA letter within the next couple of weeks (once I've done some final reading & when I can afford the £10 fee!).

 

I apologise for the lengthy post, but this will just make it known how much I'm wanting to get what I deserve from A&L!

 

Any advice, tips or generel help is greatly valued and appreciated!

 

Thanks for reading!

//Jess

[jonni2bad]

Firstly, a big hello and welcome.

 

You are now most certainly amongst friends!

 

The best advice I could give is to stick rigidly to the step-by-step plan outlined in the FAQ section - and keep on reading, and re-reading if necessary. The more you learn, the more comfortable you will become.

 

Keep on thinking of this process as YOURS - never be derailed from your plan and timetable by the bank's lame excuses.

 

Good luck

[Jes0rKah]

Cheers! I'll definately be getting my money back!

 

I'll be keeping you all closely informed!

 

//Jess

 

(Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to work I go..)

[Jes0rKah]

Right, I'm finally about to get the ball rolling.

 

I've been waiting on a printer, hence the lengthy wait!

 

So I've printed my DPA letter, which I've used the library template for.

 

Will A&L accept a cheque from their own accounts? who do I make it out to?!

 

Thanks!

[jonni2bad]

To me please....

 

 

Oh, Ok then - make it out to the bank! It might sound daft, but you're paying them for the 'service' of providing info.

 

Alliance & Leicester PLC

[caro]

Very best of luck to you Jess. It sounds like you could do with a break after the time you have had. I know from personal experience that when you suffer the loss of a close family member, the last thing you need to worry about is money. I don't think the banks have heard of customer care, and A&L are the most heartless I have dealt with.

 

You are clearly doing well and I am impressed at your positive attitude. Hope the job is going well and you don't have to wait too long to get your money back so you can get on with life.

[Jes0rKah]

Very best of luck to you Jess. It sounds like you could do with a break after the time you have had. I know from personal experience that when you suffer the loss of a close family member, the last thing you need to worry about is money. I don't think the banks have heard of customer care, and A&L are the most heartless I have dealt with.

 

You are clearly doing well and I am impressed at your positive attitude. Hope the job is going well and you don't have to wait too long to get your money back so you can get on with life.

 

Cheers, really appreciated!

 

Thankfully with this new job money's getting better, but the nice chunk of money I'll be getting back will definately contribute to a nice shopping trip

 

A&L certainly won't be getting any votes for a customer satisfaction award from me! Most heartless bank I've come across personally. But that's business I guess.

[NeilP]

Keep us posted on your progress.

 

Good Luck

 

Neil.

[Jes0rKah]

Well, I've finaly got off my ar*e and sent the DPA letter! By first class recorded!

 

Also I thought the start date being the 06/06/06 would be quite appropriate!

 

40 days and counting!!

[caro]

I know what you mean. I thought as I posted my LBA's today that the banks would think I was the devil incarnate.

[Jes0rKah]

Okay, so I got my statements, and I've worked out the amount I've been charged, I've used one of the templates for the letter, and I've filled out the spreadsheet for the charges schedule..

 

my question is,

 

At this stage, do I inform them of the amount of interest? Or should I remove that column on the spreadsheet?

 

Many thanks!

[Jes0rKah]

yep remove that column on the spreadsheet - it only comes into play once it gets to filing a claim with the courts.....

 

 

Thanks alot!

 

Lets get this ball rolling!

[Jes0rKah]

Well, I've sent the LBA letter (I'm assuming they recieved it on around the 6th) so I'm currently waiting for the 14 days to expire. So I'm looking to be starting the court claim on around the 20th.

 

I've recieved a letter dated the 10th from 'J Wright' explaining that they aren't going to refund my charges as 'the charges have been raised correctly in line with the terms and conditions of your account'

The letter is also talking about the OFT commenting on the late payment charges was only to do with credit card payments.

 

So it looks like A&L are still not learning, even though I've seen how many people are winning their claims!

 

Also, can you send the paperwork for filing a court claim via the post? As I'm not going to be in this house for much longer..

 

Thanks!

[berwicl]

Hey,

 

This is my first post, so be gentle!:o

 

My partner and I are with the A&L. We have also just recieved what would appear to be exactly the same letter on the 10th of August from an L Murphy. We are also wondering what to letter to send next, as none of the letters we can find on this site, seem to cover a response to them saying that the OFT was talking only about credit Card charges. Quote:

 

"The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has commented that they consider the level of late payment charges to be unfair, however they were actually referring to late payment fees for credit card payments, which are quite distinct from a bank's charges on current accounts."

 

Why would they say that? Is it just a ploy to get us to question our rights? If there is a suitable letter within this site, can someone paste in the link?

 

HELP!

 

Thank You Kindly

[The Holte41]

The last paragraph referring to the Consumer Credit Act has been added on the kind advice of the Govan Law Centre which is linked in the library

Quote:

When the OFT makes a ruling then creditors are expected, and indeed required, to comply. All banks and credit card companies, in general, hold licences to lend money under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (and hold licences to collect consumer debts too).

 

Thus if a bank or creditor fails to take on board the OFT's ruling last week, we can use the 1974 Act to the advantage of ordinary people.

 

Most banks and the BBA have in light of the OFT's statement last week indicated that they think it is wrong, unfair, or only related to credit cards and so on and so forth. But the fact is the OFT has stated it is subject to all consumer contracts - including bank accounts, overdrafts and mortgages.

 

Thus what we need to do is to say to banks and creditors is that unless they implement the OFT's ruling (which means please refund all unfair bank charges within the last 6 years for England/Wales, or 5 years for Scotland) then they will be 'an unfit person to hold a consumer credit licence'.

 

Under the 1974 Act, customers can lodge a complaint to the OFT if they think a company is an 'unfit person'.

 

The point is this - if UK banks want to fight the OFT, then fine (and that will take time) but meantime the OFT could revoke their licence under the 1974 Act.

[The Holte41]

Above post copied and pasted from :

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/92-letter-before-action-consumer.html

 

Bankfodders post on the consumer action group forum. Hope it helps - but in my opinion A&L know they are in the wrong - as do any other bank which has already made a refund of charges. They cannot treat any one customer differently to another can they??? However, there is still a chance that any one of us going through the process at the moment may be that first "victim" they chose to see in court. (Despite the radio 4 broadcast - how long before they tire of giving us back what is ours without a fight)?

Either way - I dont care - the law is on our side!!

[Jes0rKah]

Well, the LBA time is now up, so I'm looking at the court paperwork.

 

I've found that the fee's for the claim will be £80, but I've just started a claim for jobseekers as I lost my job a fortnight ago

 

So, my question is, firstly, should I wait to hear that my jobseekers claim is accepted and then fill in the 'exemption from fees' form? Also do I send that form in WITH the N1? That would then mean my claim would only cover the charges and the interest then surely?

 

Everything is frantic here, we've lost our house 'cos the landlord wants it back, and money is non exsistent!

 

Times always seem to get rough!

[jonni2bad]

Sorry to hear that...

 

I think you would be better off waiting for confirmation of your JSA claim being accepted and then starting the court claim. You are correct in thinking that you should not include court costs if this is the case.......

[martin2006]

Just so your aware, when you file your claim they might put in a defence and you will get an Allocation Questionaire, when you send that back theres another fee, which i think is another £100. If cash is tight double check this first.

[leebrannan]

how likely is it that you will receive an Allocation Questionaire once you have filed your moneyclaim????

[Jes0rKah]

Thanks for the warning..

 

I'll hold off, on the court claim for a bit then. Would you say there was a limit to how long I can leave it though?

 

Thanks!

[kprime]

ive also received that exact letter im glad im not the only 1 im still sending letter b4 court action though

[GaryH]

Judgeing by your court issue fee of £80 I'm guessing your claim must be for around £700 - £800? If so you need'nt worry about an allocation questionnaire fee. You only pay that if your claim is over £1500.

 

Best of luck with your claim!

 

Gary

[Jes0rKah]

Well, it's been a long time, and I've only just returned to a semi comfortable way of life!

 

Needless to say, due to no internet access, and not really having a place to live, my claim against A & L was put on the back burner.

 

Unfortunately for them, they've continued to charge me repeatedly, and for unreasonably large sums of money.. which I'm am now about to add to my claim. I've also found that they have become incredibly unreasonable with defaults now. In the past 4 months I've had them threaten me with a default 3 times! Funny that they never did this before I started threatening them!

 

Well, I'm starting my whole process again, as I need to add yet more money to my claim, and I'm now in a situation whereby I can afford the court costs and I look like my work situation is indefinate!

 

So apologies that I've not updated sooner.. but we moved back into our own place the same weekend of Christmas! Also with only 56k to use for the net.. I'm painfully browsing the site again! w00t!

 

I've been happy to see the profile of reclaiming bank charges is on the up!

Even Watchdog are interested now! Especially with all the profits of the large banks being publicly announced!

 

Thanks and Hullo again!

 

//Jess

[younganfree]

Welcome back Jess. Better luck with the claim this time!

Things haven't changed all that much since you were here last. Same responses, same hurdles to jump. But you know the routine well enough, so it should be a fairly easy ride for you.

Glad to see things are on the up for you.