Desperate times...

[Jamhead]

I would like to register a complaint about a bank charge, that I believe to be unlawful, for unauthorised overdrafts and unpaid direct debits. I actually have a claim for refunded bank charges which has been put on hold for over a year and a half now, pending results from court rulings. However another example of unfair charges has arisen this week. I was charged £25 on monday 23/03/09 for a direct debit worth £12.23 that Alliance and Leicester paid on that day. On the same morning I had £0.00 in my account but paid in £12.50 to cover the direct debit and was still charged. I telephoned to complain and was told that direct debits are taken out at 12.00am on the day they are due, so that my account was overdrawn for 10 hours until I had paid in the £12.50. I was also told that because they had taken out the £25.00 my account was actually still overdrawn and I have been incurring £5 daily charges since then. I am currently on income support pending an appeal and am only receiving £43.00 a week. I am disgusted at the state of this and need to complain to someone; I am actually in real danger of not being able to survive any longer. I have heard there is a special claim for people undergoing extreme hardship which means they do not have to wait for the court rulings? Could someone please give me any advice possible. I am currently looking through the FAQ's sections for relevant information but am finding a lot of lengthy procedures and I need my money back ASAP.

[heidi1974]

hi there, i am in the same boat as you, i have asked for a refund for all charges as im in hardship, but they just keep saying have to wait and see the out come in july, but i kept on at them but i had to report it to the Financial Ombudsman in the end, they have just said if i dont hear anything from A&L within 8 weeks to contact them again. A&L are trying there best not to pay up untill it goes to court, if you send any letters make sure everyone is recorded or they will say they have not received it.

I had done barclays bank the same time as i did A&L and i had a nice cheque off barclays bank on saturday morning as a good will gesture and have now closed my claim, they paid for half what they owed me, but i will go for the other half in july.

If i was you i would cancel all direct debits, or make sure money is in your account the day before money goes out, dont give them the chance of charging you more, they are the worse bank ever.

all the best heidi.

[heidi1974]

Your Name

Your address
Date xx/xx/xx

Your Bank

Your banks Address

Dear Sir/Madam,

Notice of Consideration for hardship Status
Claim reference Number xxxxxxxxx
Account number xxxxxxxxxx

Please find attached a detailed summary of my financial standing, as evidence in support of my claim/request, be treated sympathetically and speedily in view of hardship.
In making this request, I remind you of your duty to comply with conditions agreed in the waiver of July 2007 and continuation of July 2008 between yourselves and the FSA.

I look forward to acknowledgment of this, with an undertaking that you will proceed to process it, as per the requirements of the terms agreed within the waiver.

Yours Faithfully

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Enc; Financial Statement.

Data protection act 1998.

I give my permission for you to process/use data related to me, in the course of processing my claim/inquiry to a satisfactory conclusion.

Signed xxxxxxxxxxxx Name xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Date xx/xx/xx

......................... ......................... ......................... ......................... ..

i would also send them a Spreadsheet for income and expenditure :-
as they will only ask for one, also send copy of benefits as they will also ask for this, send it all recorded delivery.

Hope this helps Heidi.