Balance Transfer & Harrassment Problems

[DissatisfiedHaliCustomer]

Dear Fellow Dissatisfied Halifax Plc Customers,

 

I must point out some unprofessional practices by the Halifax.

 

In August 2005 I transferred a balance from one credit card to the Halifax One credit card.

 

The Halifax incorrectly set up my account and began to charge me interest.

 

Upon querying this they evenutally agreed that it was their fault and I was given a letter of apology.

 

In this letter of apology they stated that they would:

 

"The poor service and advice you encountered is alarming...I will monitor your account and refund any interest that is applied to your account over the next 10 months, which will mean that you have 12 months interest free in total"

 

And so, in fact, what was to happen is that I would have to find the equivalent amount of interest, pay the Halifax this amount together with the minimum payment (or whatever I decide to pay in addition to this min payment) and after 4 weeks the Halifax would deduct the value of interest from the credit card payment

 

1. Yes, I will be charged interest - even if they hold my money for 4 weeks
   
2. Yes, my statements of account clearly state that I will be paying interest
   
3. No, this is NOT a refund - I cannot do what I like with this money - it is a way for the Halifax to get additional money to my monthly balance out of me
   
4. A payment of £127.90 that I made on 11th January 2006 was reversed on the same day but did not go back into any of my Halifax bank accounts. Upon asking where it was I have to date still not been given an answer

I have written to explain that I will not accept this and wish to receive 0% interest free on the balance transfer as agreed at the time of the transfer. The Halifax have either:

 

1. Ignored my letters
   
2. Sent me bullying letters stating that my credit rating will be affected
   
3. Telephoned me repeatedly in the evenings and weekends demanding money
   
4. Telephoned me repeatedly using automated machines asking me to press any key to continue

I have written letters, telephoned Customer Services from my local Halifax Branch with no response, and done everything to make payments but the Halifax just do not care. They appear to be waiting until the 12 months interest free option expires. But, they do not appreciate that I have not received the 12 months 0% interest and so their tactic is in vain.

 

I was recently told by a Halifax representative on the telephone that the reason that the Halifax had not taken off the interest is that they do not have a system in place to remove it and that they have to continually credit the account. I cannot see this as being the case - not for a multi-billion pound organisation such as the Halifax. And, if this is the case maybe they should get one in place very quickly. Why should customers have to pay for their negligence?

 

I have banked with Halifax for more than 25 years and am left completely let down by their service and clear lack of professionalism. Their recent "cowboy" campaign seems to sum them up more than adequately

 

I have passed this onto the Financial Ombudsman who I hope will help to resolve this matter. If the Financial Ombudsman does not resolve this then I am committed to continue until I, the Customer, am completely satisfied.

 

I will keep you informed

[mechs]

Best of luck and hope all goes well for you, they are the pits arent they

[strude]

Hi

Your right they are cowboys.

That makes the Halifax cowboy advert more appropriate me thinks:p:rolleyes: