Tom Brennan, People's Champion!

I've been fighting the Halifax Bank of Scotland for the last few months trying to get back £2500. My situation is I've sent the first two letters, and I'm now at the point where it's time to start legal action. I had some advice, though, from a friend who used to work for RBS and he suggested that I give legal action a miss and get in touch with the OFT and the Financial Ombudsman. Apprently you can complain through them, they get in touch with the bank on your behalf, and advise the bank to settle in full. Another plus is that, through them, you can claim the full six years (it's only five generally in Scotland...) My reason for going down this route is that my figure is sufficently large enough to require a lawyer's services in court - got to admit I'm chickening out a little and taking the path of least resistance. Has anyone got any experience of this route? Good stories, bad stories, I'll listen to all! If anyone's interested in checking this out, look at this site: http://www.bankcharges.info/ Nice one, Sam

Sorry, FSO? What is this?

Thanks andromeda. Can you clear up for me, if the total claim is £720, and the bank owes me £2500, can I claim the total amount? Do I have to put in multiple claims? Is £720 all I can get? Cheers

So I'm at the stage where it's time to take HBOS to court. All I've read on this site is aimed at the English courts. Is there some guidance available on the Scottish system? A link would be lovely!

The initial response I got from BOS was a letter saying thanks for my complaint and that they had 8 weeks to investigate. Many wonderful people on this site told me to ignore, and send the second letter - and also to say that it's not a complaint, it's a request for re-embursment. I've now had another response from BOS saying "I'm sorry that you have not yet had a full response to your concerns. We're still investigating your complaint and you will recieve a responce no later than 30th May 2007." Is this another stall? Should I now be sending off the third letter? TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!! Thanks

Thanks Jowalshy, sent the LBA for Viv this evening. This is exciting stuff eh!

Thanks guys

Hi All, I'm actually going through this process for myself and my girlfriend too. She want's the money you know, but she's unwilling to put in the hours for herself! I started her application before mine though so I can learn from the mistakes I make with her's and then get mine right! I found a quicker way to get my six years statements than writing off under the auspices of the Data Protection Act. I just phoned the branch and asked for them. It worked out quicker, because I didn't mention the DPA they were obliged to get me the statements within 28 days instead of 40, and cheaper as they just took a fiver off me there and then. So I've sent the first letters for both accounts. Viv's letter went out a few weeks ago, asking for £650 and mine went out today asking for £2500! Can you believe these swines took £200 off me in June 2001 alone? Surely that's illegal? Anyway, the real point of this thread is to ask about the letter we recieved in response to Viv's letter. Basically, it looks photocopied (no colour) and says they're looking into it but adds "Please note that the complaint handling rules set by out regulator, the Finacial Services Authority, gives us 8 weeks to investigate and respond to complaints." Are we being fobbed off? Should we be sending letter two? Thanks to all for helping.

Hey lori1 and livelylad, thanks, I'll send the next letter today. I'm HBOS not RBS, I thought I was in the right section, am I not?

Hi All, I'm actually going through this process for myself and my girlfriend too. She want's the money you know, but she's unwilling to put in the hours for herself! I started her application before mine though so I can learn from the mistakes I make with her's and then get mine right! I found a quicker way to get my six years statements than writing off under the auspices of the Data Protection Act. I just phoned the branch and asked for them. It worked out quicker, because I didn't mention the DPA they were obliged to get me the statements within 28 days instead of 40, and cheaper as they just took a fiver off me there and then. So I've sent the first letters for both accounts. Viv's letter went out a few weeks ago, asking for £650 and mine went out today asking for £2500! Can you believe these swines took £200 off me in June 2001 alone? Surely that's illegal? Anyway, the real point of this thread is to ask about the letter we recieved in response to Viv's letter. Basically, it looks photocopied (no colour) and says they're looking into it but adds "Please note that the complaint handling rules set by out regulator, the Finacial Services Authority, gives us 8 weeks to investigate and respond to complaints." Are we being fobbed off? Should we be sending letter two? Thanks to all for helping.