Confused - What to do next?

[joolz]

Just about to send DPA letter off to BOS. I have read that it is wise to open a new bank account if it is the account you are currently using that you are disputing. At what stage is it best to do this? Not really relishing the added hassle this will entail.

[Bookworm]

asap.

 

Basically, if your bank decides to play silly buggers and default your account or close you down, they could also trash your credit rating (the lawfulness if this is highly debatable, but they do it anyway), making it harder for you to open an account later. The thing to do is to pre-empt by opening a parachute account now, just in case.

[joolz]

Probably best to look around for best current account going now then and go for it rather than open a basic account somewhere just in case. I suppose BOS aren't going to be that keen to keep me as a customer once I try to recover what will probably be a couple of thousand pounds.

[joolz]

I now have my statements and have calculated all of my charges for 5 years but I am not sure how to calculate the interest. Can you only claim it for the days you were overdrawn as a result of their charges and if so how do you work this out? Help!

[bram stoker]

Hi Joolz,

 

Have you seen my spreadseet in the bank templates library. There are notes in the actual spreadsheet which will explain a lot. Come back if you can't open it or if you need further advice with it there's a thread going in general for help.

 

Good luck.

[joolz]

Hi Vampiress,

 

I can't open this up as don't have excel on my home computer I only have Microsoft Works. Would be grateful if you could explain it to me.

[Richard_K]

Hi Vampiress,

 

I can't open this up as don't have excel on my home computer I only have Microsoft Works. Would be grateful if you could explain it to me.

 

You could download OpenOffice - it's free and I believe reads Excel files just fine.

[bram stoker]

If you can hold on until I get home tomorrow night I'll convert it to works and send it to you. PM me your email address.

[joolz]

I sent my first letter asking for repayment on 7th June, received a reply from BOS saying they will investigate my claim. What do I do now? Do I send my second letter and if so how should I word it given that they have replied to my first letter?

[LondonPam]

I assume you are using the templates from this forum. If you are then you will have given them 14 days to sort things out. Once that 14 days have gone, and they have not refunded your money, you should send the LBA (letter before action). Read the step by step instructions on the site so that you fully understand the process.

Good luck.

[wsm36]

I sent my first letter asking for repayment on 7th June, received a reply from BOS saying they will investigate my claim. What do I do now? Do I send my second letter and if so how should I word it given that they have replied to my first letter?

 

Hi joolz, I sent my first letter to BOS on 19/6, received acknowledgment on 21/6 then an offer of £90 this morning, so it took just over a week from first letter to first offer just hang in there. Nothing about DPA request yet though.

[joolz]

Update. Received cheeky further letter from BOS today acknowleding that they had deducted £1416 from my account over the last five years and offering a refund of £90 in full and final settlement. Has anyone else had this offer. Made me even more determined now, letter prior to court action will be posted out tomorrow.

[joolz]

Received reply to my first letter stating they would investigate. Just received another letter saying that they had checked my account and agreed that they had deducted £1416 in charges from my account over the last 5 years. The letter went into why they did not accept my claim but stated they would offer £90 as full and final settlement of my claim. My letter before action will be in the post tomorrow. Has anyone else had such an offer?

[rino]

Yep, im claiming roughly same amount as yourself and they offered me £110 as full and final settlement.

I phoned them to say i was not happy to accept that offer as i am requiring the full amount, lady said she can only increase it to £320 as thats what shes authorised, i again said no , i require full amount and i shall be writing again to confirm that.

 

sent my LBA letter next day and this friday will be 14 days up.

 

good luck

[barracad]

Four threads merged - please stick to one thread!

[joolz]

Do I have to mention not accepting this offer of £90 in my letter before action. I have been stalling on this as I read somewhere in the forum that you should accept any offer insisting that you are continuing to pursue for the full amount. However, the letter from them and the form sent with it to sign makes it quite clear this is 'in full and final settlement offer' so I am reluctant to mention accepting it. I thought I would start the letter with "I write in response to your letter refusing my request for a full refund of bank charges of £1416, etc.. What do you think? Help!! beginning to feel a bit shakey about it all.

[Solowka]

i`ve seen several posts where the 1st offer was actually credited to accounts, if thats the case the money is yours now and you could always say.... accepting it as in interim payment only and you will seek the full amount owed blah blah blah.

 

Sign nothing!

[joolz]

It has now been more 14 days since I posted LBA but I am due to go on holiday for a fortnight. Should I raise the action before I go or should I wait until I return?

[davefirewalker]

I think you have to give them 14 days after the first LBA "to reconsider" and to show that you are trying to resolve this amicably outside the court system. I would then file a claim after that.

 

As I understand it you can inform the court of dates you cannot attend due to other committments, holidays etc.

 

I would go ahead with the "final demand" and see what transpires

 

Dave

[joolz]

I have received the following reply to my initial letter to BOS visa.

 

"Thank you for your recent letter regarding the late payment charge, which was applied to the above numbered account.

 

As per the terms and conditions of your original agreement,which you signed to confirm you had read, understood and agreed to be bound by, a late payment charge of £25.00 will be applied to your account on each occasion that the minimum payment is not received by the due date shown on the statement.

 

After assessing the OFT findings our charges will be reduced as from 1st August 2006.

 

In view of the above, I regret to advise I am unable to refund the charges in question as they were applied to your account as per your original agreement.

I trust this clarifies the situation. Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our call centre on the above number.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Anyone else received a similar reply. I will just go ahead and send the letter before action now anyway.

[joolz]

Anyone had a similar letter and if so how did you word the letter before action?

[sirowealot]

Looks like a perfectly standard letter from them, commonly known on this forum as the "sodoff" letter.

 

Read the FAQ's, request your statements (the S.A.R - (Subject Access Request)) if you haven't already, then send either the preliminary letter stating the charges and interest amounts you're claiming, or LBA, as appropriate. The FAQ's have links to standard letters, but also have a look through other threads to find modified ones too which may be more appropriate for you.

 

Good luck and keep posting!

[joolz]

Checked my bank account today to find that BOS had paid in £717 claimed for charges but no interest or expenses added on. Court hearing date is two weeks away. What should I do? Have not received any communication from them as yet. I have about another £800 worth of charges to claim which I will pursue once this is concluded.

[maroondevo52]

Hi joolz,

I forgot to calculate my interest when I claimed against BOS.They settled my claim in full on my return date. I then wrote to them asking for my £200 odd in interest and my £39 court fee. They payed both within a couple of days.

 

Best wishes.

 

Scott

[joolz]

I just put plus 8% on the court paper but didn't actually work it out. Not sure what to do now might wait to see what any communication says. They are just chancing it really, aren't they.