Hi, I have read various threads questioning the legalities of Mortgage Early Redemption Charges, however cannot find any definite information. My questions are: Can these be challenged in a similar way to other account charges? I am currently 4 years into a 5 year fixed term contract with Lloyds TSB. I am paying a large amount above their present variable rate. The reason I havent changed is the large early redemption payment. Am I able to challenge this in a similar way to other charges? Of course I have never incurred the Early Redemption Charge, my aim would be to have the charge lifted, allowing me free to change rates, or repayment of monies representing the difference in interest rates which I have been forced to maintain as I can't afford to get out. Bit difficult to put into writing, but I hope you get the gist. I would be grateful if you would share any thoughts or experiences. Regards, Simon.

Got a letter today from Halifax rejecting my request for the return of charges on my credit card account. Interestingly though, it went on to say they were halving their charges from August. Either this means they are now going to run at a loss, or the charges at present are indeed a profit making scheme. Wonder which it is!!

Lloyds TSB Data Protection Subject Access Request Team phone number is: 0845 0707124 A lady named Janet tells me she is a team of one doing her very best. Hope this helps someone. Simon.

If you need to access any C & G details under the Data Protection Act, the contact details are: Sheila Morgan Data Protection Department (C & G) Barnett Way Gloucester GL4 3LR Phone; 01452 373323 This department appears to buck the Lloyds TSB trend, they are actually very knowledgeable and helpful. Hope it is of some help, Simon.

If you need to access any C & G details under the Data Protection Act, the contact details are: Sheila Morgan Data Protection Department (C & G) Barnett Way Gloucester GL4 3LR Phone; 01452 373323 This department appears to buck the Lloyds TSB trend, they are actually very knowledgeable and helpful. Hope it is of some help, Simon.

Thanks Karnevil, I'll give it a go now. Simon.

Hi, on 5 July I wrote to First Direct asking for my charges refunded. They replied by return with a standard "no". I wrote again asking them to reconsider. They replied again saying "no". My questions are: Do I have to wait the full 14 days originally given as the last letter states this is the banks final response? Is my next step the commencement of court action, and if so how do I go about this? Regards, Simon.

Hi, I have a £1200 overdraft with First Direct. I have incurred charges of £390 over the last 3 months, bringing my o/d to £1420. I telephoned to express my concerns about this, particularly that I am now paying charges for my charges and that this has placed me in a downward spitral I feel I am unable to get out of in the next 2 or 3 months. They offered a partial refund of these charges, on condition I made no further claims against charges made to my account. I refused this condition, so they withdrew it and still gave the refund of £110. However, this still leaves me over my agreed overdraft, and as a result am going to incur more charges imminently, as I am unable to pay any money in for 2 weeks. This makes FDs offer seem somewhat hollow, to say the least. I protested this to a manager, and she said other options such as extending my o/d to incorporate these charges or freezing further charges for an interim period were not available to me as my account did not justify these. Section 14 of the banking code says they will develop a plan with me to deal with my financial difficulties and tell me in writing what they have agreed, but they seem unwilling to do this. Please can any members advise, either from previous experience or knowledge, what my best course of action would be, because if I do nothing this small amount is going to be out of control soon. Regards, Simon.

I am on O2 pay as you go. A new case would answer all my problems, but it's like gettin blood out of a stone.

I purchased a Samsung mobile phone from Phones 4 u last December. It has developed a problem with a piece of trim on the case cracking off. This is happening bit at a time and is not due to user wear and tear. The assistant at Phones 4 u told me she had the same phone and it hadn't happened to hers so there's no way she could do anything to help me! So I phoned Samsung customer services. They tell me that it will take up to 28 days and if it isn't a warranty issue there will be a £17.63 release fee to get the phone back. Whilst I am sure it is a warranty issue, it concerns me that the person deciding is paid by Samsung, and only he can decide. The release fee seems more like a deterrent than an aquired expense. How can it cost the same to check the case as it would to check internal components? The purpose of my post is to ask if anyone can advise if this release fee is acceptable, even though I have offered to e-mail photos or let a Phones 4 U assistant check it and convey the information to them. Thanks, Simon.