cathy vs hsbc

[cathyd]

Hi there,

 

I'm in the process of reclaiming bank charges from hsbc, and would appreciate some advice please.

 

Sent a DPA disclosure request on 5th Feb, and after a couple of chase up calls, all statements going back 6 years arrived. I calculated the actual total charges to reclaim, and sent a 14 day letter on 20th March. My problem is twofold:

 

Firstly, I did not include a list of all individual transactions with the 14 day LBA, just requested the total amount. I recevied a letter today (dated 3rd April) stating that in order to consider my request I need to provide a full itemised breakdown of these charges. Is this just a delaying tactic to ignore, or should I supply the breakdown as requested. If I send the breakdown, how long should I give them to respond?

 

Secondly, I didn't add interest to the amount requested in the 14 day letter, just the actual value of charges I was reclaiming, but now seems maybe I should have (just to clarify, I mean interest on charges levied, not bank interest I've paid for being overdrawn). Is it too late for me to add interest now - if it's not, and I decide to send them an itemised list of transactions, could I also include interest at this stage, or could this pose a problem if the figure I'm claiming in my next letter differs from the initial amount requested?

 

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers,

Cathy.

[lateralus]

it seems, cathy, that you have a partial understanding of the process but may have gotten a little confused over some of it - let me help you out.

you've got your statements - that's great. next you go over your statements and circle or make a list of all the charges - cross referencing with this info: Charges description on statements - Please Read.

You are ok sending a list of the charges - oldest first, what each charge is called and an amount but at some point you will need to enter them onto a spreadsheet to calculate the interest for your claim.

so, first (prelim) letter - you send asking for your charges back and include a list of charges as described above. then 14 days later you send the lba - again with a list of charges included. after the next 14 days - you will be ready to file a claim on mcol - you will then and only then be able to include the 8% interest which you will then be asking for through the claim. (this site says do not ask for the interest before you file the claim).

so, make your list - or preferably just put them on a spreadsheet (you can fold back or cover over the 8% column and this makes a great list of charges for the first couple of letters). as you've not sent the charges in the acceptable form - were i you - i'd get them on a s/s and resend the lba - giving them a further 7 days to respond and then file your claim. it could be argued that you could go ahead and file - but i think in fairness you should submit your charges to them in acceptable fashion before filing.

 

if you don't understand any of this - get back and we will help you to understand it.

[cathyd]

Thanks for that. I do have it all in a spreadsheet already, so will send the list with another letter tomorrow.

 

Will the standard LBA in the templates list be ok, or should I just simply reply to their letter requesting the itemised list and give then 7 days?

 

Also, would you think it's best to continue sending the letters to my branch as I have done so far, or is it better to send future correspondance to the address in the letter I received today?

 

Thanks again,

 

Cathy

[lateralus]

in your case think i'd copy the original lba, send the breakdown with a cover note saying - i will extend my deadline by seven days to allow you to respond to my charges in this format. I will then file a claim.

and send to whomever sent the letter (colin langdale in leeds, presumably)

and send it recorded delivery.