Many thanks!

I emailed SP via their customer services enquiries asking why BCW had been in touch when the bill had been settled. They [customer services] replied to me via email. Does this count as "in writing"?

Thanks, citizenB. How much money can be transferred by F P's in one go?

Do you mind if I ask how you know the ''invovement of the DCA has been stopped''? I ask because SP claim a late payment of my final bill ''crossed'' with their contacting a firm called BCWgroup [debt collectors]. SP have told me that BCW were informed about this mix-up and that I should hear no more about it. But I can't help worrying - I only have SP's word for this. Anecdotal evidence is that once these people get their teeth into you they won't let go! I don't want to wake up a few months down the line and find BCW still after me, with increased costs even though the bill has been paid.

Does anyone know the current limit for Faster Payments by this bank?

A & L (Santander I suppose it should be called now).

Hi people! Can anyone direct me to the best place to enquire about direct debits please? I've just found a direct debit payment on my bank statement that I don't recognise. Thanks!

I'm trying to think what I would do myself if I were in this position and came up with the following suggestions: Phone them and explain nicely that I've just returned home after however many months away at college/working away/or whatever to find that I'd unknowingly left my account overdrawn by 20 quid and unfortunately, not having had access to my account details in that time, have unknowingly accrued lots of charges on the account. THEN ask them [again nicely] if there was any way they could let me off with some of those charges, as it was purely an oversight on my part that caused it to happen and it has come as quite a nasty surprise. They may say push off, or you may get lucky and they may make a courtesy repayment of one or two of the charges. Whatever the outcome, don't get shirty with them, you don't want to get into a slanging match; after all, you'd only be trying on the 'off-chance'. Then, if I could afford it, I'd pay off the o/d so that the charges stopped. But I wouldn't hang about on this cos those charges have a life of their own and can multiply like it's going out of fashion! Chance of getting your money back by going through the claiming system is only likely at the moment if you are suffering from financial hardship. As I say, this is only what I'd try myself. Hope it gives you some food for thought. Good luck.

Don't want to be a party-pooper, but it usually takes 4 working days to clear a cheque - Friday to Wednesday sounds about right to me.

If this was happening to me, I'd probably run it by the Citizen's Advice Bureau just to see where I stand. Wouldn't like a black mark against me or debt collection out to squeeze me if it wasn't my fault. I'd probably also have a look at my experian report - cost £2 last time I looked - to check there was nothing on there already because of the o/d account. Good luck dude!

I think that switching your account with them should not affect any claim you might make in the future, as it would be 'account specific' - in other words you would be claiming the charges they've made to you on this account, and then if necessary any charges they make on the new account. As long as you keep all your statements with the charges and account number/s you should be ok. And probably better off if you aren't receiving extra charges for not funding the account by £500 on a monthly basis. Anyone else suggest differently?

cheers!

Hi, 'HF'! Just had a quick peek at abbey myself, but spotted nothing specific - which threads in partic should I be looking out for? And are they only paying out in 'Hardship' cases, do you know?

WOW! Sounds too good to be true?

Hi, Its WAR. Have you read through the FAQS thoroughly? It should tell you all you need to know in there. May I suggest you give them another read through? - just so you are sure you know the procedure and feel confident in your claim. It should also help with your query about interest.

Hi everyone. I was a cagger several years ago and knew all the ins and outs of claiming at that time, but I 'lapsed' when the hold was put in place by the courts. I have about half a dozen charges over a 2 year period beginning OCT 03, so if I'm going to start a claim it'll have to be now - 6 year deadline an all that! Thing is - after a look round, it seems A&L are still closing accounts if you dare to put in a claim. Is this correct or have I got the wrong end of the stick? I don't think I want the hassle if they're going to shut me down, which was the reason I didn't claim a few years back if I'm honest. Any suggestions guys, or should I just wait for the outcome of the test case? If it's positive they reckon we'll all be in line for refunds anyway.

Hope you sent it recorded delivery, so you have some sort of proof of posting if the postal order gets lost along the way - it has been known to happen.

Clanger, I was reading the gumph on travel ins a few weeks back b4 I went on hol, it said the ins was only valid while the relevant account was still open.

Hi, missbeliever, I can only offer my own opinion on what I'd do if I were in your position, you must make your own decision on what is right for you. In your circumstances, if I didn't need the account I'd pay off the outstanding charges and close it ASAP so that I didn't accrue any more charges. Open or closed shouldn't make any difference to claims in the future. Unless you are suffering hardship (your post doesn't make any hint that you are), it may be just as easy at the moment to wait to see what becomes of the big "Court Case" that is underway. I repeat this is only MHO though.

I personally think it would be rather amusing to walk into my local branch with a £1 coin in my grubby little mit and ask the cashier to "Deposit this in my account, please". Can you imagine the looks on people's faces? And at the supposed cost of transactions which banks keep banging on about, they'd probably be out of pocket every time you did this. And if it had to be on a weekly basis... Yes, I think I'd take great pleasure from it!

That's a job well-done, Kev, and thanks for giving us the phone number.

Well done, good result. Hopefully that's an end to it now, though you may want to make a record of this latest phonecall too - just in case! 8)

You may want to seriously consider paying in money to cover the overdraught to stop it spiralling even further out of control, then closing the account as you no longer seem to need/want it. Remember that the longer the account remains o/d the more charges they're going to slap on! The sooner you take action on it, therefore, the better.

He he he!

Hi max2001. You'd be advised to edit your post above as the CAG frowns on use of language that could be considered libelous - it could get them into trouble. Don't worry, we all have our own way of thinking of the banks, so there is no need to be graphic, just a few ***'s will convey your feelings just as well. 8)