Big thanks, I have been through the mill with all this and it really lifts me to hear you think my contribution helps this superb site. Best Regards,

I have read a number of times in this forum about people wanting to waste the bank's time and about sending duplicates to achieve this but I believe this will do us no good. It is important for us to conduct ourselves in a proper way, this site is clearly dedicated to doing that, and most people respect it. Ultimately we have to demonstrate to the courts that we have taken a reasonable and fair approach to resolving our disputes with the banks, regardless of how we have been treated. It is important that we maintain and build on this reputation and also demonstrate it to newcomers, the wider community and the media. Surely one letter at a time sent by recorded post, or taken by hand and acknowledged by the bank, is sufficient? I know in an incandescent fit of rage it's tempting to create work for the banks, but we can follow the stages of the process and the good will out. This is purely here as a note of caution. I want us to all to achieve the best results we can and don't want any claim to be brought down by evidence of timewasting or a reputation marred by it. Best Wishes,

Sorry I can't provide a link. My comment was based on information posted by a member on this site. It was not based on the source. Despite searching for the posting I have not yet been able to track it down. The specific phrase 'OFT has ruled against retaliatory action' is too long for a search (phrase too long, too many results to run it, etc) and a couple of words from it take a considerable time to go through. When I find it, I will report back. In the meantime, based on what I can refer to, see: Bankfodder's 'Have you had your account closed or been threatened with closure for claiming?' JimTheGent's 'Re:Abbey - A New Argument?', 22 April 2006 Don Quioxte, 10 April 2006, in 'Re: Capital One won't budge' thread To be specific, I think you may reasonably say that you will be observing and recording any retaliatory action (or attempts at retaliatory action?) and reporting this to the OFT on the basis that it is unfair under Schedule 2 of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999. Do you agree Bookworm, others? Regards, Bean

Things will look a bit better when you are on the topside of a settlement or two. Best Wishes, Bean

Has anyone reached the second claim of a sever process yet?

Hello & Welcome Sophie-Jane, I am quite new to this, so I suggest getting the OK from a Moderator / Admin prior to acting on it: The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has ruled against retaliatory action so I don't see any problem with stating in correspondence with the bank that you are aware of this. You may wish to say that you will be observing and recording any signs of retaliatory action over the resolution period and immediately following. The implication being that it could ultimately be raised in court or could be notified to another official body (OFT, etc.) should need arise. You'll still need a parachute account, but this shows you know your rights and that technically you should be protected. Hope this helps, Bean

Took Data Protection Act letter in to my branch and had them sign for it. Will keep you posted,

Thanks Lueeze, I'll do that and await an answer on the rest Best Wishes,

Congratulations Lotta! I have read your thread with interest. It's been very helpful and inspiring. Many thanks. All the best,

I have original statements plus prints from online banking for July 2002 to present & figure to claim back is about £4700. I suspect my total figure for past 6 years will be over £5000 (excluding interest and court costs as it hasn't reached that stage yet). Searching under 'sever' doesn't seem to answer the following: Is it best to send a Data Protection Act letter covering the whole of the past 6 years, or send one now for July 2002 to present, and deal with 2000 to June 2002 later? Which would be considered most reasonable in the court's view? Which would prompt least bank attention for consolidating? Has anyone got to the second claim of a sever process yet? (e.g. one claim on one account for say 2000-2003, then another claim on the same account for 2004-2006) I will send Data Protection Act letter after hearing your views. I am due to send LBA letter on 27/4/2006. Thanks

Hello Everyone, Thanks for a superb site. I found you via MoneySavingExpert.com ad-free, free to use, Consumer Revenge! To get things rolling, I began last week by collating all my statements and filling in any gaps with copies from the Lloyds TSB website (about half originals and half printed off) to get back to July 2002 (as far as online records go). Total for relevant charges less a realistic allowance of £2 per item is about £4700. As it was a convenient breakpoint and under the £5000 Small Claims figure I decided to send Preliminary Request for Payment letter for July 2002 to present, and will send a Data Protection Act (DPA) letter a little later for 2000 to June 2002. 13 April 2006 - Took Preliminary Request for Payment letter in to my branch and had them sign and date my pre-printed slip to acknowledge receipt of my letter. 19 April 2006 - Received standard letter from Service Recovery Centre , Birmingham - 'Thank you for taking time to contact us about your account...I understand that you feel the charges you have incurred are unlawful...I am unable to agree with your request to refund the charges...' with 'How to voice your concerns' leaflet enclosed. Frankly I prefer following the advice on this site as a way of voicing my concerns thank you very much. I was and still am astounded at how charges on charges escalated and am pleased that the OFT and our collective efforts will curtail this nonsense for all concerned. There are real stories of hardship in the threads on this site and I empathise with so many of them. I will not wish you good luck because there is no luck involved, there is a clear process supported by friends in the same boat. I wish you the outcome the law says you deserve, and from what I am reading here, that's a sizeable refund for an awful lot of people. I am working on the worst case assumption that I will have to defend this in court, and that the banks are monitoring this site.