Letter to bank?

[scorpio 55]

Hello fellow members, I have just heard about this site on the radio, and I am delighted to find I am not alone with being ripped off by Nat West. I am disabled and only have Incapactiy benefit coming in...last week i slipped ove r my overdraft limit, and ended up being charged an ubelievable £200 in bank charges on direct debits not going out ect, and no way of getting on top of it. I had to borrow money from friends in the end. I begged and pleaded with the bank, told them my situation, but they wouldnt do a thing to help.

I understand there is a standard letter on this site to send to your bank. Is that right, and how do I find it?

Thanks

scorpio55:confused:

[caro]

Hello and welcome Scorpio55. You were quick off the mark! Take a look at the FAQ's located at the top of the page and there are letters in the bank template library. I should spend a couple of days doing this so you know what you are taking on when you begin your actions.

 

I would say good luck, but you won't need it.

[BankFodder]

Caro is quite right. You need to do a lot of reading before you get going. You are more likely to take three to four days before you start to understand what the position is, what steps are and the layout of the forum. That investment of time will repay itself and you will be very pleased at your sense of confidence.

[scorpio 55]

Many thanks Caro and Bankfodder, I already feel encouraged seeing what others have acheived and the marvelous support and information on this site! I will spend a few days browsing as you recommend, then get going!

Finding this site feels like winning the lottery, AND England are a goal up!!!

It can only get better!

scorpio55

[scorpio 55]

Ok, here we go! Have written 1st letter to send to Sir Fred himself plus 2 other head honchos. I cant say how much this site has helped, not only with letters, address 's ect, but with the support of others going through the same thing.

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!

(still nervous about the recaction tho!) Cant actually afford to sue so really hope they stump up.

[caro]

I understand that there can be exemptions to the small claims court fees for people in receipt of certain benefits, but you can't do it on line. Keep looking and you will find something about it. Presumably there would be something on the Moneyclaim website telling you what you need to do as well.

 

Fingers crossed.

[scorpio 55]

Many thanks again Caro, thats good to know. Fingers crossed for you also!

[nagumos]

Good luck Scorpio, I too have just sent off my first letter !! That was 2 weeks ago and I still have'nt heard a thing from my bank, but the clock is ticking.

I bet all the bank detest Trevor McDonald !!!

[nagumos]

Caro, How did you get Eeyor beside your name?

[caro]

Excuse the short diversion from your thread Scorpio. You can put avatars in with the User CP. My daughter found this one and it was on our computer. On the original Eeyore rocks backwards and forwards which looks much better. She found it on the internet apparently.

 

I did think of changing it to something scarier in case the banks were looking in!

[scorpio 55]

Good luck Scorpio, I too have just sent off my first letter !! That was 2 weeks ago and I still have'nt heard a thing from my bank, but the clock is ticking.

I bet all the bank detest Trevor McDonald !!!

 

 

Hello Nagumos! Many thanks for your words of encouragement. I am about to post the letters now (gulp!) Good luck to you too, please do let me know when you hear from the bank. Long live Trevor McDonald!!

[caro]

and don't forget Martin Lewis too.

[pittn2000]

I saw found this via Martin on LK today

[caro]

He is a keen supporter of revenge for the consumer and a good ally for CAG in terms of raising awareness.

[scorpio 55]

and don't forget Martin Lewis too.

 

Yes, indeed, very remiss of me, Martin Lewis for P.M.!:grin:

Have just returned from posting letters......so now the waiting begins!

[scorpio 55]

Caro is quite right. You need to do a lot of reading before you get going. You are more likely to take three to four days before you start to understand what the position is, what steps are and the layout of the forum. That investment of time will repay itself and you will be very pleased at your sense of confidence.

 

hi Bank fodder, Very deflated this morning to receive standard letter from Stuart Higley, saying he feels the charges are fair. I even added that I was disabled and only had Incapacity Benefit, and he has completrely ignored that.

 

I also sent letters to Sir Fred Goodwin and John Cunnane, lets see what they say.

The thing is, I was only asking for the last 2 months charges to be refunded, hardly a drop in the ocean for NatWest. They are so callous... I feel so upset .

[NadineSoton]

Don't let the man get you down! This is a regular response from all the banks apparently. I'm quite new but I've been reading through the threads and I can't yet find one that have paid out after the first letter.

 

Read through the FAQ's and find your next step and read through the threads and posts about other peoples' situations and experiences. It really does give you the boost of confidence you need.

 

Remember, they may look scary but at the end of the day the banks are only just a bunch of people behind a bunch of desks trying to [problem] as much money as they can!!

 

Everyone's here to support you so don't give in! :grin:

[caro]

Don’t let it get to you. Try and look at it positively, because this means that you can go to the next stage, so you are a bit nearer to achieving your goal of getting your money back. Did you use the template letters and follow the procedure, or did you just go straight to the top and appeal to their better natures. If it’s the latter, you have probably learnt that the banks don’t have better natures. You have to be as firm with them as they are with us.

 

So to move on:

 

Have you got all your statements for the last 6 years? If not, send them a SAR - (Subject Access Request) from the templates library. It will cost £10, but will be money well spent if you can manage it.

 

If you have got them, add up your charges then do a preliminary request for payment from the templates library. Why stop at 2 months? Go as far back as possible. Set your timescales and stick to them. They will probably say no again, but as I said, you will be nearer to getting your money back.;-)

 

Keep your chin up. We’re all behind you.

[scorpio 55]

Don’t let it get to you. Try and look at it positively, because this means that you can go to the next stage, so you are a bit nearer to achieving your goal of getting your money back. Did you use the template letters and follow the procedure, or did you just go straight to the top and appeal to their better natures. If it’s the latter, you have probably learnt that the banks don’t have better natures. You have to be as firm with them as they are with us.

 

So to move on:

 

Have you got all your statements for the last 6 years? If not, send them a SAR - (Subject Access Request) - (Subject Access Request) from the templates library. It will cost £10, but will be money well spent if you can manage it.

 

If you have got them, add up your charges then do a preliminary request for payment from the templates library. Why stop at 2 months? Go as far back as possible. Set your timescales and stick to them. They will probably say no again, but as I said, you will be nearer to getting your money back.;-)

 

Keep your chin up. We’re all behind you.

 

Thanks for the support Caro,

I did use the 1st letter template, and also inserted a personal paragraph about my circumstances. Same with the other 2 letters, I will wait to see if I hear from either of the other 2 within the next 2 weeks.Needless to say, Stuart Higley does not not accept the findings of the Office of Fair Trading! He believes that their charges are "fair, reasonable and transparent!!!" Well, he would would'nt he!

 

No, I havent got statements going back that far, I honestly thought if I didnt ask for too much, they were more likely to pay up....obviously not

I will send for them when I can afford to.

Watch this space!

[scorpio 55]

Don't let the man get you down! This is a regular response from all the banks apparently. I'm quite new but I've been reading through the threads and I can't yet find one that have paid out after the first letter.

 

Read through the FAQ's and find your next step and read through the threads and posts about other peoples' situations and experiences. It really does give you the boost of confidence you need.

 

Remember, they may look scary but at the end of the day the banks are only just a bunch of people behind a bunch of desks trying to [problem] as much money as they can!!

 

Everyone's here to support you so don't give in! :grin:

 

 

Hi Nadine,

Thanks for your support, feeling better now, it took me unawares, as I didnt expect a reply by return of post, so was unprepared. I have 2 other replies to come, so I will see what they say, and if no joy, send the 2nd letter template.

Have you written to the bank yet? I wish you lots of luck, and do let me know how you get on, I'm here to give support also, not just receive it!

[scorpio 55]

Hi folks,

Well, today I received a letter from the pa of Sir Fred himself, saying they were looking into it!!!

 

We shall see, will keep you posted!

[scorpio 55]

RESULT!!! FULL REFUND!

 

Yipee! Letter from Lending Centre at Wimbledon (the John Cunanne address) although spouting same rhetoric about their charges being fair and resonable, blah blah, they said as an act of goodwill they will refund the charges of the last 2 months ie. £386.00! I know its not a lot guys, but for me at the moment it really is. So have decided to go for the bird in the hand.

 

Thanks to all of you who have supported me, and to this brilliant website, long may it continue to be a thorn in the sides of the greedy corporations that fleece us.

 

Those of you who have kindly messaged me, hope this is some encouragement to you, and please let me know how you are all doing with your claims. I will continue to follow your stories keenly, and keep in touch.

[caro]

I am just so pleased for you Scorpio. If anyone deserves it you do. That is a great result and although you felt a bit low at times along the way it was worth it in the end. I hope you treat yourself to something really nice as a reward for your success.

[scorpio 55]

Thanks very much Caro, You're right, I should, and will, buy myself something nice!!