steviec07 + A+L

[steviec07]

Hello All

 

I've recently started the process off for reclaiming my bank charges. I've got a few questions which I would be grateful if anyone could answer, also correct me if I've done anything wrong.

 

I sent my SAR by 'signed for' delivery on the 21/02/07 and it was delivered on the 23/02/07 to the Carlton Park, Narborough, Leicester,LE19 0AL address.

 

So far, my A+L cheque for £10 has not been cashed and no communications received. Do they usually leave it as long as possible to reply. Is the time limit up, 40 days from when they receive the letter, 02/04/07.

 

As for types of charges to claim back, can you claim back paid item charges? I wasn't intending too as these were incurred when they processed a cheque even though the funds were not available. Also, can any of the charges below be reclaimed. These details are shown as charges to be applied when I log in to Internet banking

 

15 Mar UNAUTHORISED OVERDRAFT CHARGE 27JAN-26FEB DAY 5 £25.00

15 Mar UNAUTHORISED OVERDRAFT CHARGE 27JAN-26FEB DAY 1 £25.00

15 Mar MONTHLY OD CHARGE 27JAN-26FEB £5.00

15 Mar INTEREST 27JAN-26FEB £5.85

 

 

Thanks in advance

 

 

Steven

[Advoc8]

Unauthorised overdraft charges can be reclaimed. The monthly one probably can't if it's a regular charge for providing you with an overdraft facility. Interest - well, it's complicated and depends if you can work out how much is down to charges and at what rate it was charged. Have a look for threads in the General forum on contractual interest.

[steviec07]

Cheers for that Advoc8.

I don't think i'll bother with these 2 types of charges, MONTHLY OD CHARGE + INTEREST as one is a fee for having an overdraft facility and the other seems a little to complicated to work out.

 

ta

 

 

Steven

[younganfree]

Hi steviec07, welcome to the forum.

It's quicker to use the Bootle address for all correspondence in the early part of your claim as Narborough is the head office & they only forward this sort of stuff back to Bootle anyway.

However, do use the Narborough address in the application to the court.

 

Keep us informed of your progress.

[steviec07]

Cheers for that younganfree

 

I'll keep you posted.

 

 

Steve

[ManSizedRooster]

Hi

 

I found the monthly OD confusing too. I was confused as to why it varied from £5 to £25. However if you read the back of the statement it says that £5 is for authorised and £25 is for unauthorised charges. So I reckon yeah, you can claim them back.

[chain chick]

You should not claim the Auth OD fee £5.00, but you can charge for the paid fee and the unauth OD fee. I claimed all of those !! over £3K mine have come to

[steviec07]

Hi

 

I received copies of my statements at the end of last week and am just about to send my claim in. Just a few questions if anyone could be so kind to answer.

 

Firstly, I am to be charged £50 on 12th April for unauthorised overdraft charges. As I intend to send my letter in tomorrow, 3rd April, can I include these charges as well?

 

Secondly, I wasn't going to claim back paid item charges, but chain chick's reply above seems to suggest that these can be reclaimed. Is that so? Can these also be reclaimed?

 

Thirdly, after getting reimbursed for charges and providing the bank don't close the persons account, what happens if that person incurs more bank charges in the future. Do the banks still apply these illegal charges or do they charge a lesser amount or none at all? Are you allowed to reclaim more than once? Just wondering.

 

Thanx in advance

 

steviec

[Guest ian cognito]

You cannot claim charges until you have paid them so you can't claim these future charges on your prelim but you will be able to with your LBA.

 

Paid item charges are penalty fees for when they have paid out a cheque or DD when you didn't have sufficient funds so yes, you can claim them.

 

They will close your account so make sure you have a pparachute account set up. I wrote and told them I was withdrawing my permission for them to take any more penalty charges from my account, they did pay them back but then closed the account anyway.

 

Good luck

[steviec07]

Cheers Ian, for the reply.

Much appreciated.

 

 

steviec

[steviec07]

Just an update.

 

Sent my claim in on Monday 16th and they signed for it on Tuesday.

Asking back £2218. Think I'll be in for a bit of a wait til it's settled

Got new account opened so it's just a matter of following the great advice found here.

[Guest ian cognito]

Think I'll be in for a bit of a wait til it's settled

 

Probably about a fortnight

[steviec07]

Hi Ian

 

I hope it's only a fortnight, thought they would drag it out as long as they could. Why do you think only 2 weeks?

 

 

Steve

[blimeyboy]

Steve,

After 14 days send the next letter (LBA - Letter Before Action)

Then 14 days after that you will have to start court proceedings (filing with MCOL - moneyclaim online)

[steviec07]

Cheers for that blimeyboy, that is what i was expecting to do.

[steviec07]

Hello, another update.

 

Received a letter Friday 20th from A+L stating briefly:-

 

Our fees are reasonable ... OFT have commented on charges being unfair but applies to late payment fees for credit card payments ... discussions are ongoing between banks and OFT and A+L will review it's position ... have made customers aware of fees when opening accounts and through website etc so can't refund your fees ... will keep file open for 8 weeks blah blah blah ...

 

 

I presume this is just the standard reply to the request for a refund and it's just a matter of waiting until the 14 days is up then send them the LBA?

 

cheers

 

 

stevie

[Guest ian cognito]

Apologies stevie, when I read

Sent my claim in on Monday 16th

I assumed it was to court, that'll teach me to read thoroughly!

 

Yes, standard reply, yes, LBA after 14 days.

[steviec07]

Hi Ian, no problem

 

Thanks

 

stevie

[steviec07]

Another update.

 

Sending in my LBA today, 30/04/07.

Not much longer to wait now.

 

One question. I haven't mentioned about claiming interest back in my LBA, only my costs. Will this matter if I decide to claim it back if it goes all the way to court?

 

ta

 

stevie

[ManSizedRooster]

I don't think that should matter at all, it's up to you how much of what you are owed you claim and when. It's not as though the bank could dispute the amount on the basis that it's more than what you aksed for in your LBA.

[steviec07]

Another update.

 

Sent in my LBA, signed for, on 30/04/07. They received it on 01/05/07.

Received another standard reply letter 05/05/07 saying basically, "we are looking into it ... you will have our response asap ... blah blah".

 

Will be spending most of today looking at starting the court action, which will be on 15/05/07.

 

Just a few questions:

Is it better to do it online or via your local county court office in person.

 

The amount being claimed is approx £2300, is there anything in particular to be aware of with this amount. Any other rules apply etc.

 

Once A+L receive the notice, how long does it take until they pay up.

 

Do you send it to their Bootle or Narborough address.

 

Any other bits of advice/help/info is appreciated.

 

 

thanks

 

 

Stevie

[steviec07]

Another update.

 

Hello

 

The 14 days for responding to my LBA expired on the 15/05/07. I have had to wait til payday this month before I can start the court action and pay the £120 fee. (claim is for just under £3K)

 

I received a letter off A+L on Saturday 26th May, which was an offer for a little under £600. In the letter they talk about the OFT reviewing the issue of account charges, they believe the charges have been applied in accordance with the T&C's of the account, if I accept their offer they will not close my account, their offer is made on an entirely ex gratia basis ... blah blah blah ...

 

Just a few questions:-

 

1) Is this just another standard reply letter.

 

2) As I'm at the stage where I can start court proceedings, should I go ahead and do it without replying to their 'offer' letter, or should I send the rejection letter in, wait a few more days then start the court process off?

 

I don't want to give them any excuse to have the case dismissed on the basis that I didn't reply to their letter but if I can go straight ahead, then I may as well.

 

 

Any other helpful comments are appreciated.

 

 

Thanks for your help.

 

 

Steve

[Vintage72]

Hi,

 

have a look at my thread - followed a similar pattern to you. Am now at the last stages of the claim and awaiting a court date.

 

Try to stick to the deadlines that you either give or they advise on here and just keep looking through all the threads on here - I found all the advise with regard to filling in the N1 and the AQ if received, which unfortunately it was !

 

Any questions, feel free to ask again and I hope I can help - many more people on here who are more knowledgeable but am happy to try and help.

[jansus]

The standard rejection letters are on here i think under step by step instructions - why not just do both at the same time - I have just filed by MCOL and found instructions by Michael Browne very useful.

 

Check other threads but I think that if you reject the offer they will take things right to the line anyway so you might as well go ahead with the claim .

 

I am no expert though so keep reading:D

 

jansus

[scoobywolf6]

Hi guys i'm new to all this but i'm going to get my bank charges back from the Halifax PLc wish me luck xx