Lifeline V Halifax- Confused!

[suzieblooz]

Yep - I've had 3 sets of duplicate statements so far and one list of charges. Mayybe they'll refund me 3 times over as well.

[1stlifeline]

Hi All. Im now at the stage where Im ready to send my LBA. The 14 days since I requested my charges back have past. Just out of interest, how do the the Halifax usually contact you to make an offer? Is it usually by phone or by letter?

[sea-sidelady]

It is usually by letter, although they can ring you.

[emmaf01]

My offers came in letters.

[1stlifeline]

Just a quick question please. Im a bit confused about the LBA. It says

'I calculate that you have taken £XXXXX plus £XXX which you have charged me in overdraft interest for the sum which you have taken. Total £XXXXX.'

Does this mean that I should add interest when I send this letter? I thought I only added it if I go to court.

Also, when I sent off my Prelim letter I did noy enclose a spreadsheet, I sent the list of charges the Halifax themselves had sent me. (I did check them against statements to make sure they were correct) However , do I now need to do the spreadsheet and claim interest with the LBA?

[1stlifeline]

Can anyone help with my last post please as I want to send off my LBA asap and dont wnat to mess things up at this point by making a mistake.

Thank you

[sea-sidelady]

Just delete the part about the interest. You are right about ading it at the court stage.

 

As long as they have proof of the charges its fine. But the spread sheet is easy as it will calculate the added interest for the next stage.

[1stlifeline]

Thank you. sea-sidelady

[1stlifeline]

Well, they really must be losing the plot. Today, even though I am at the LBA stage I have recieved my 4th set of statements in the post. They did include a letter saying that 'due to a technical error you may not have recieved the requested information and please accept our apologies if you have'

So some people are waiting in excess of 40 days whilst they are sending out repeat copies!

[emmaf01]

Well that sums up the Halifax!

[1stlifeline]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned in other postings but I have only just read it.

 

Todays Daily Express :- 'Banks have been warned by a High Court Judge to stop putting unnecessary pressure on customers seeking to reclaim penalty charges'

 

It goes on to say that some banks are unfairly putting obstacles in the way of customers claiming through the courts. He said this behaviour could be viewed as 'unreasonable' and may open the way for claimants to demand further compensation for the extra work and anxiety.

In one court alone there have been over 300 cases referred, 140 in April alone.

Looks like the courts are discouraging the banks from taking it too far.

[emmaf01]

Considering that the banks are forcing people to make a court claim before they get their money back, in many cases, you cannot blame the judiciary for being so hacked off with the waste of valuable court time.

 

Imagine if you need to go to court for some major issue, but your court date is held up, just because the banks are messing thousands of their customers around. It is despicable.

[1stlifeline]

I rang them today after sending my LBA and waiting the 14 days. I told them that I was due to file at court today unless an offer was made. I was told that they are allowed 8 weeks as per the regulator to deal with complaints. I told her that it was not a complaint but a request for my charges back. to which she replied that the Halifax treat it as a complaint and therefore they have 8 weeks. According to the records I am due to get a response on June 12th. I told her that I had my court bundle ready to file today but she told me to go ahead and file as no one was going to get a faster response than the 8 weeks wether they file or not. now I am in a quandry because I cant really afford to take it to court (I have 2 claims both at the same stage) as I dont have 240 lying around. Should I wait till the 12th and hope I get an offer or am I taking a risk?

[sea-sidelady]

You can wait till the 12th, but it is extremely doubtful they will get back to you.

 

You are not taking a risk, but waiting until you can afford it.

[1stlifeline]

Thanks Sea Sidelady. Always there and good advice as usual.

[1stlifeline]

Just out of interest, What are the little green boxes for underneath the join date. Whats the difference between a Basic, Gold and Platinum Account customer on here? How do go from one to the other? Just curious!.

[sea-sidelady]

The green pips are when some one clicks your scales you get 1 mark.

 

You need to get 100 clicks per pip.

 

To upgrade your title, you have to post a certain amount of replies. Almost a thousand to get to platinum.

[1stlifeline]

Thanks for explaining, I assumed it was something to do with posting. Thats a lot of helping you have done!

[sea-sidelady]

I remember when i first started and i was looking every where for help, and asking questions to any one who would listen..

 

I got so much help i decided if i could help back once i knew more i would. And voila...!!!

[emmaf01]

And you help all of us tremendously, Sea-sidelady!

 

I don't know what we would do without you.

[Dusary]

I agree!

[emmaf01]

SSLady is a bit special!

[1stlifeline]

Today I got the letter from them declining my claim so I have to file at court. My question is, I have 2 accounts for which I am reclaiming charges, both are at the same stage. Can I put them both on one claim form or do I have to do the seperatly and pay the courtfees twice?

[sea-sidelady]

Yes you can claim them together as long as 1 isnt a credit card and it isnt over £5000.

[1stlifeline]

I have had a letter from Halifax saying the usual 'You agreed to terms when opening account etc etc. I have no choice but to file at court now. the problem is that at the moment I cant afford the court cost. I checked and I do have to pay as Im not on benefits. I will be able to afford to do it in another couple of weeks but will I still be able to as the timescales will be wrong. Ive done the LBA so if I go to court will I need to send another one or can I still carry on from where I was?

Thanks.