jpet77 v Natwest ***WON***

[jpet77]

I banked with NatWest for about 12 years but closed my account in October 2001. I managed to find my sort code and account number (which I have now lost ) and contacted them. They have ordered copy statements to be delivered to my local branch for my collection (should be there next wk) for the cost of £5 but said that they can only go back 10yrs on their system. This wd still work out that I wd have 5 years worth of statements on for £5. I know that I paid loads of charges to NatWest but don't know whether it's poss to claim from an account that's been closed for so long :idea:. Can anyone help?

[alanfromderby]

It is worth a try - the law on limitations seems to point to us being able to claim that the bank concealed the information that they were making unlawful charges. This is backed up by their continued insistence, despite the OFT report, that their charges are legal.

 

A number of people are challenging banks over amounts prior to 6 years - but it is early days yet, to assess progress.

[jpet77]

Have you ever heard/read about anyone thats claimed from a closed account before? and how they got on ...

[alanfromderby]

Lots....just read round the forums.

[jpet77]

I don't know whether it's in front of my nose, but if I am unable to find my account details again - despite having already ordered the statements from NatWest when I did have the account details if they never arrive will I still be able to claim?

[alanfromderby]

Yes

[jpet77]

I would like to claim from a Nat West account that I closed in 2001. I chucked out all the account details when I moved last year but then miraculously found the account number and sort code from a ripped cheque that fell out of my bin when I was changing the binbag!! (I had contacted NatWest and they told me that they were unable to get me copy statements without this info). I therefore rang them straight away (approx 4 wks ago) and they ordered copy statements to be sent to my branch for my collection. I have since lost the bank details and the statements are not yet at my branch.

 

What should I do? - Is there any thing I can do?

[bram stoker]

Natwest should have details of your telephone conversation 4 weeks ago. They should be able to find you through your name and address as they must hold this information for 6 years.

 

Try calling them again. If you have no joy come back here.

 

Let us know what the outcome of the call is.

[Guest Lueeze]

Merged threads, as these two are related, thanks,

 

Lou x

[jpet77]

I've just rung them - Lucy said that because it's a 'historic' (!) account it may take upto 6 wks for the statements to come through!! - so maybe I'm jumping the gun a bit and should w8 til the end of nxt wk. I asked whether they wd be able to provide me with my account details and they said that I wd have to take ID in to the Bournemouth branch where my account was held. I explained that I now live in Birmingham but they said there's nothing they can do about it. I rang the Bournemouth branch and was given the same response.

[Guest Lueeze]

What a load of rubbish, surely they cant expect you drive down to Bournemouth?

 

If your bank is down there, then I would ask to change to a branch in Birmingham, and see how they deal with that! Everyone moves around, they have to be flexible with people's lifestyles, knowing it is unlikely customers will stay in the same town the account was 1st opened!

[jpet77]

I just went through the contacts on the sticky and rang Mary McCallum Personal Assistant to Sir Fred Goodwin who put me through to Michael Duncan (0131 5235317) who said he will look in to it and call me back before midday. Fingers crossed!!

[jpet77]

Michael Duncan has just rung back 2 hours late!!! and says that they are still looking in to it and he can't be precise about when I will be in receipt of the statements but that he has got other managers involved to trace my account. Just a waiting game now I suppose

[bram stoker]

Ok, good but not quite a waiting game. Keep on top of them until the job is done, give them chance, but call regularly if you hear nothing.

[jpet77]

Just thought I'd post that I received a call from Beverly Pierce (Southampton) saying that my statements are at my local branch for collection and that there are lots of them!!

 

I'm going to collect them when have got kids from school and let you know if I've what charges I've got in a bit!!

[jpet77]

£914 worth of charges :o over the 2 years worth of statements they have provided me with (they only went back to 1999 and I closed the account in 2001).

 

Does any one know if it's poss to get any further statements or should I just post of the initial letter adding 8% interest now I have this info?

[Guest Lueeze]

well they only have to go back to 2000 as they have 6 years, check out some threads about claiming more than 6 years back!

 

Meanwhile get started on these charges

 

Lou xxxx

[jpet77]

Thx Lueeze. I will post letter tomorrow and let you know how I get on.

[jpet77]

Right, I have received a letter from the notorious Mr Stuart Higley telling me that the charges are 'fair, reasonable and transparent.'

 

I would like to issue a letter before action . Should I send it to the registered address or to Mr Higley or does anyone know of anyone (apart from Sir Fred who seems most unsympathetic) who is directly above Mr Higley who I could address the letter to? (I have checked the sticky but nothing stands out).

 

Stuart Higley seems to be a regular thorn in our sides

[bram stoker]

I would use the LBA as a reply to the letter you received, therefore the name and address on that letter from Stuart Higley.

[Fred_Funk]

jpet77,

 

I pressume the infamous Mr Higley has sent you the same letter as he has sent me.

 

That being the case, the penultimate para reads:

 

I am disappointed to note that you are contemplating legal action against the bank. Whilst I hope you will feel able to reconsider, should you decide to go ahead, please ensure that any proceedings are served on our Registered Office address, which appears at the foot of this letter.

 

Even if that para wasn't in your letter, it seems fairly unequivocal to me - so I'd send your LBA to:

 

NatWest Bank Plc, 135 Bishopgate, London, EC2M 3UR.

 

Hope that's some help?!

 

Fred_Funk

[jpet77]

Letter is signed and sealed and ready to post first thing Thx Fred

[jpet77]

Mr Higley had the following to say:

"I am sorry to disappoint you but we will not be making any further refund of charges. You deem these charges to be unlawful yet our opinion is to the contrary.

I have noted your proposed action and alerted our lawyers and litigation department to expect your claim.

Incidentally, it is today that the banks are to respond to the OFT statement of 5 April and whilst I have no knowledge of what it likely to be declared, I suspect that the events will be widely reported in the Media.

Thank you for writing."

So I guess my next step is money claim online Why do they push us to such drastic actions to get back what they shouldn't have taken in the first place?

[jpet77]

Well they had their chance....

 

claim no. 6QZ35004

 

FINGERS CROSSED

[bram stoker]

Good luck.

 

Can you PM one of us with full details so we can put it here.

Thanks.