StanleyMorgan vs Halifax - Offer received

[stanleymorgan]

I've sent off the initial SAR letter to Halifax to the address on the statements, 51 Berkeley Street, and it's been returned by the branch manager with a fairly plain letterhead stating that they like to deal with this on an informal basis and my £10 is enclosed.

 

There's no signature and they state that the statements will be sent within 10 working days.

 

Questions:

 

Is this a standard letter?

 

Don't they have to give a list of charges rather than just statements?

 

Doesn't the letter have to be signed?

 

Are they trying something on?

 

Sorry for the questions, it just looks iffy

[crashbandicoot]

Hi stanley,

 

1. Yes, fairly standard, looks like they've done you a favour for 'free'!

 

2. Yes, you'll probably be receiving statements as they are not likely to give you a list of charges themselves. It's better this way because you can go through your statements with a fine toothcomb (or highlighter!) so you won't miss anything....would you trust a list from the bank?!

 

3. They are obviously so busy that they are churning out letters and forgetting to sign them. It's nothing to worry about...wait for the statements, giving them ten days, and see what happens. If you don't receive them, you can call to chase again. Ultimately, the S.A.R. allows them 40 days to comply, so they can take up to 40 days to fulfil this request.

[MR2Phil]

Lucky you!!!! A little 'Xtra' from Howard!

[stanleymorgan]

After requesting all statements via a SAR, Halifax have now sent only statements up to 2004, twice!

 

What should be the next step - complaint to the ICO, or further letters to Halifax?

 

The lady I'm corresponding with seems nice enough, but I'm wondering if there is an unwritten policy of not sending statements which show the most charges.

[photoman]

Have a look at this link.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/6986-data-protection-act-non.html

 

Regards

 

Photoman

[barbershop0]

Hi

 

I would wait a few days, the others may be coming in seperate envelopes.

 

Regards

[stanleymorgan]

Hi

 

I would wait a few days, the others may be coming in seperate envelopes.

 

Regards

 

The statements are numbered "page x of 30". All thirty have arrived, twice. They only go to 2004.

[noodledoodle]

Same thing has happened to me - and I am still awaiting information.

 

Both have just seen on my bank account five minutes ago that they had also charged me twice. Chancers! Wasn't long getting back on the phone demanding my £5 back I can tell you.

[photoman]

Have a look at this link.

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bank-templates-library/6986-data-protection-act-non.html

 

Regards

 

Photoman

 

Don't play their games !! They know exactly what they are doing !!

 

 

Now go away, and read the thread I posted earlier......your getting no pudding until you've done your homework !!!!

[stanleymorgan]

Don't play their games !! They know exactly what they are doing !!

 

 

Now go away, and read the thread I posted earlier......your getting no pudding until you've done your homework !!!!

 

Nevermind. Worked it out. Too much Lemsip today.

[stanleymorgan]

OK, after a couple of false starts and dozens of duplicate statements, we begin the claim process.

 

I've sent the LBA claiming £851.00 of charges and received back a standard template letter from Customer Relations in Leeds stating that they have 8 weeks according to the FSA and may get back to me within 4 weeks if there's a problem.

 

I've read here that I stick to the 14 day timeline instead of the 8 week one given by Halifax, is this correct?

[sea-sidelady]

Did you send the prelim first?

[stanleymorgan]

Did you send the prelim first?

 

Yes, they replied with the standard letter quoting 8 weeks.

[sea-sidelady]

In that case then, yes just carry on.

 

Ignore that letter.

[stanleymorgan]

They sent the rejected letter on the 18th May and I sent my LBA to them at the same time, so I'm completing the court forms tonight and will get them in this week.

 

It's for around £1000 plus interest.

 

I'll keep you posted. I hope I'm the person who makes history!

[stanleymorgan]

Just had a chat with a friend and he says that a report to the FOS might work better than court action, and be cheaper. His sister has done something similar, but she's on hols at the moment so I can't ask her.

 

Any comments?

[sea-sidelady]

Are you in scotland?

[stanleymorgan]

No, very happy to be in England.

[sea-sidelady]

Then it is probably easier to file at court.

If you have filed your prelim and lba then you can file.

[stanleymorgan]

Yep, done prelim and LBA and got the knock-back letter so it's all steam ahead for the wig and buckle room.

[stanleymorgan]

I've just got a letter offering a sum of £550 for the F&F of £1000 I'm claiming. I'm going to 'phone them this week and reject, but has anyone had any success in getting them to agree to the whole amount over the 'phone?

 

I'm happy to take them to court, but if I can avoid it and go to the pub instead then I'm a happy man.

 

Is there any tips for a telephone chat?

[kennythecelt]

Hi check out my thread and Dusary.

 

However, never accept anything unless you have it in writing. Likewise, you should only accept the offer as part settlement in writing, outling that you will only accept 100% of all charges plus 8% interest.

 

As soon as you say this it will go on to another team for reassessment, which will take time for them to look at- even although its at the far end of their big room. Its during that time that you might (might, might, might) get lucky- depending on how you look at it. You will have a contact- Customer Service Manager. All of them are however there to reduce the amount they pay out- at claimants expense. They will use whatever tactics they can. That is why it is difficult to deal with them on the phone so you need to be very comfortable with it before taking it on.

 

I used the fact that they never gave me any statements for 3 of 4 claims. However, I should have had all the statements as the advice on this site says. I am now in the process of writing to them accepting it as a partial settlement and will take it from there.

 

My claim ended up this way through default and it is not a recommended approach for different reasons. If you follow CAG advice you will get there athough it might take a bit of time.

[Dusary]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/halifax-bank-bank-scotland/94286-kennythecelt-1-halifax-bos.html?highlight=kennythecelt

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/halifax-bank-bank-scotland/81108-dusary-bank-scotland.html