Professional Reclaim Services have fleeced my parents

[Wiltz]

Hi all,

 

Hoping for a bit of advice about a successful claim that my step-dad has made.

 

Bit of background, My mum had a stroke just over 3 years ago and lost the ability to speak, along with most motor skills down her right side. It was at this point that her partner of 17 years, to all intents and purposes my step dad, became her full time carer.

 

Earlier this year he told me that he had been getting cold called regularly by a PPI reclaim company and had eventually relented and agreed for them to look into his claim concerning a loan he had taken out with Abbey National decades ago.

 

He informed me that it was on a flat fee of around £40, at which point I voiced my disbelief and asked him to get me the details so I could look into it, which he followed up with a text a week later telling me that the company was called Professional Reclaim Services.

 

I completely forgot about this until earlier this week he informed me that he had some good news and some bad news about his PPI claim with Santander, the good news was that he had been awarded £12000 and the bad news was that Professional Reclaim Services were actually charging him 39% + VAT!!!!

 

So my question is can we do anything about this extortionate charge, which will result in him losing around 50% of his award? I have no problem paying a fair rate for a fair service, but he obviously did not understand that this was the case.

 

Any help/advice appreciated.

[dx100uk]

nope sadly we've been warning everyone

so has the FOS, the FCA and just about every banks website to not use a CMC for almost 10yrs now

 

I take it he signed a contract..

[mariner51]

He still benefits by approx.£4800 for doing nothing for several years.

[AndyOrch]

All their charges are provided in their t&Cs...

 

 

http://professionalreclaimservices.co.uk/contact-us/terms-conditions/

[Wiltz]

Wow! Thanks for that, if only I could have worked that out.

[AndyOrch]

Worked what out ?

 

You asked " So my question is can we do anything about this extortionate charge, which will result in him losing around 50% of his award? I have no problem paying a fair rate for a fair service, but he obviously did not understand that this was the case. "

 

And the answer is if your father signed the agreement pursuant to the T&Cs in the link I have provided above then no.... there is nothing you can do.

[Wiltz]

Thanks for the responses so far, well most of them.

 

After a bit more research I found some rather scathing reviews of the company on Trustpilot, many mentioning that the fees came out of nowhere and one even going so far as to say the Ts and Cs bear no relevance to what they were told over the phone e.g.

 

"This company is linked to harringtons advisory ltd, what they tell you over the phone doesn't match the t&cs. Watch out for the 39% plus vat fees for very little work. We have had a nightmare with this crew."

 

"Absolutely abissmal, a circus act is orchestrated better, they don't tell you about the massive 39 percent charges and then before your money has turned up Iv got the solicitors so far up my backside I can hear them whilst sleeping. Steer clear from this company as in the end was just not worth my time and the paperwork getting completed was just a waste of ink."

 

I looked up the Harringtons Advisory company mentioned and it turns out they were a company that also charged 39% + VAT and were forced to close down following an investigation into their practices.

 

With more corroborating evidence like this, particularly people mentioning that the fees were a surprise, do you think that there is a little more to pursue?

 

I have thought of writing to them and asking for any recordings that they may have of the calls, do you think that this could help?

[Wiltz]

Apologies Andyorch that response was meant for mariner51, who responded less than helpfully, unlike yourself.

[AndyOrch]

It all hinges on whether he signed an agreement with them...hopefully he didnt give them his bank details and authority to take payment.

[Wiltz]

He definitely didn't give them authority, thanks.

 

just thinking about rights, when I change or renew my BT subscription the operator tells me that they have to read out the terms and conditions of the new agreement to which I need to reply that I have understood before the deal can commence, is that law or their own company policy?

 

If this was an isolated case I would be more inclined to chalk it up to experience, but with all of the other reviews telling similar stories it fairly stinks and leaves a real bad taste in the mouth.

[dx100uk]

has he paid them yet?

[AndyOrch]

Have they provided an invoice for their services or will Snatchander pay them direct and then pay father the balance ?

[Wiltz]

He hasn't paid them yet and Santander have informed him that they are paying him. Professional Reclaim Services have sent a separate letter instruction him that he will receive an invoice and it should be paid within 14 days of him receiving the money

[AndyOrch]

Have you asked your Dad has he signed and returned any paperwork to this company ?

[AndyOrch]

I did provide the link in post#4 which takes you straight to their fees...yes I agree its hidden well away.

 

But as I have stated providing you have not signed a contract or given them your account details...giving them authority to approach your bank/BS is a different matter...then any court claim is doomed...providing you defend it.