Thanks UK lad will keep that in mind. Good news, Mondeo. Looks like I'm stalking you, first direct, now halifax!!! Hope mine follows the same format. No acknowledgement yet but I'm sure they will.

After sending the preliminary letter with the request that the bank enter into dialogue with me rather than send their brochures and standard letters, guess what they sent? You're right. brochures and standard letters, and a rediculous offer. I replied with the LBA from the templates in the library, with the addition of the following text:- No reply to this whatsoever so on 15 May I entered the moneyclaim online forms. Not acknowledged yet, but will keep you updated. I anyone has experience of a successful claim with the halifax, and idea of what they're likely to next would be gratefully recieved. Thanks all.

After sending the preliminary letter with the request that the bank enter into dialogue with me rather than send their brochures and standard letters, guess what they sent? You're right. brochures and standard letters, and a rediculous offer. I replied with the LBA from the templates in the library, with the addition of the following text:- "Thank you for your letter dated 28th April 2006. I must say that I am extremely disappointed that you chose to send me your standard letter, although my original letter requested that you did not respond with standard letters and leaflets. As I have had accounts with you since 1976, thirty years, and have had my mortgage with you and every other loan I have had with you I expected better. I will not go into all the other points you bring up in your letter, except to reiterate that these penalty charges are illegal under UK contract law. I am also surprised that you threaten to close my account and see that as retaliatory action taken against me because I am seeking to recover charges. (Unfair terms in consumer contracts regs 1999.)" No reply to this whatsoever so on 15 May I entered the moneyclaim online forms. Not acknowledged yet, but will keep you updated. I anyone has experience of a successful claim with the halifax, and idea of what they're likely to next would be gratefully recieved. Thanks all.

Ok. Thanks a lot.

Thanks. Is there any way I can contact the credit agencies on my parents behalf as if I mention it to them it will cause more stress and worry. Or Can my ex disassociate the address on his credit report?

Thanks for the advice. The debt is from 2002, I think. But as they have tried contacting him I am I right that the 6 year rule doesn't apply? He won't be able to pay it if they catch up with him, anyway, and he has no assets.

I will try that this week. Just wondered if they are legally allowed to do this. thanks for the help.

yes. but obviously nothing to do with my parents. unfortunately 15 years ago he changed his name to mine (for family reasons)when our daughter was born so he has the same surname.

is it worth sending a letter referring to oft harassment of 3rd party recommendations?

Yes. Have found out today that my ex had his bank statements sent there for 2 months last year while he was abroad. As soon as he came back they were sent to his address. Thats the only link with the address. He has never lived there or been on the electoral register. Don't know how to approach this one. Its really upset my parents who are too old to deal with the hassle.

have you had any correspondence from a company called 'direct, legal & collections? Apparantly the debt I'm looking at with mnba is now with them. Part of hillesden securities, maybe?

You cannot refer to consumer law in the letters, but only common law. There is a template, letter to your bank, business version in the library, which is like the letter before action but without the consumer law.

My elderly parents keep recieving creditors letters for someone who has never lived at their house. They have never had anyone living there and there has never been anyone on the electoral register. On telephoning them to ask them to stop sending these letters I was told that they couldn't stop them just from a telephone call, and their investigators had given them the address. I told them their investigators are wrong, and that as the initial is the same as my mums she had opened it by mistake and they were threatening to send a doorstep collector. She was extremely upset and worried by this. They would not agree to stop the letters. Can anyone tell me what I can do, if anything, about this please? Thanks.

All the ones you mentioin are claimable. See Daves opinions on OD interest. The amount they charge for the overdraft makes them very rich bankers, without the penalty charges. Hi Richard. The point is you are not paying for their service, they are penalising you for being a naughty customer. The law states that the charge can only be proportionate to the costs incurred by the bank. So how is a £39 cost for the bank paying a dd (without asking you) when they know you have no funds, making you od by about £3 and then whacking a charge on justified when if you go into a shop to buy something by debit card at £15 when you only have £12 in your account the transaction is declined and there is NO charge? Surely the same scenario? And £39 for a computer generated letter? Some service!!!!!

No, the 8% can only be added when the claim goes to court. Regarding the service charge, it depends exactly what its for. To my knowledge, the banks can legally make a charge for providing a 'service', but not for 'penalties' or 'fines' as in charging for going over your OD or for paying direct debits or cashing cheques when there are insufficient funds. Hope this helps.

Hi. If your charges are more than your overdraft, then it is definately worth persuing as your OD will be cleared. Even if your charges are less than your OD the amount claimed would reduce your balance. If your figures are accurate then yes, they would pay you the difference and clear the debt. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully. As you have your figures send the preliminary request letter. It could go one of 2 ways. They'll either ignore it completely, as they have mine, or send letters asking for more time or quoting terms and conditions. Keep to your timescale, and 14 days after prelim. letter send the letter before action. They'll probably ignore this too. 14 days later do the moneyclaim online form, (or by post if you're exempt from the fees). They will acknowledge the claim which gives them 28 days from the date of issue. Then they will probably put in a defence. Then the likelyhood is you'll get your money back. Its not guaranteed but most likely. Hope this helps.

Thats great Candice. Enjoy!!!!! Hope ours ends as well. How long after you sent the court papers did they settle, if you don't mind me asking?

Thats a coincidence. On our claim also the OD wasn't mentioned until the letters were sent. We have already sent the court papers, so assumably the debt is classed as in dispute as the claim is more than the OD.

Have tried using the spreadsheet but as my account is in credit at the date the interest is applied it shows zero. is this correct?

well done and congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the advice. Will keep you posted.

Thanks for the info.

Hi. Where is the studio, and how does the anonimity work? Also I assume it exludes any discussion of First direct claims because of gagging clauses?

small claim made and had letter today of offer, after LBA sent. No gagging clause in it.

claim settled, account still open and OD facility not even taken away. (Not my acct so not signed anything.)