This topic was closed on 10 March 2019. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

This topic was closed on 03/08/19. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

This topic was closed on 03/06/19. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

This topic was closed on 03/06/19. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support their. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

I would advise closing your account yourself if they threaten to do so. If THEY close your account it goes down on your credit file as an involuntary closure, and could affect your ability to get credit in the future. If YOU close it your credit record is unaffected.

Thank you both for your considered replies. I'll mull it over during the rest of the weekend and ACT on Monday! I'll also start a thread in the Alliance and Leicester section too, as that's who it is. Thanks very much again. leighsmum

I had a default notice served on me by my bank on May 1. I wrote back saying that I disputed the amount as a lot of it was made up of charges. Yesterday I got a formal demand for repayment. At the bottom it says they will notify a credit reference agency within 28 days if I don't pay up. I'm torn between continuing the course of action I've already started, of paying back the £128 I owe and demanding that the charges are taken off and the default notice removed; or paying them the £570 total overdraft and then claiming the whole lot back through the court. The thing is, I'm not sure that the default's been registered yet. If it hasn't I am OK to continue with the first course of action because the default won't be served until the middle of June and I should have dragged them to the doors of the court and got my money back by then. If it has, I would be better off paying them and then claiming it back, wouldn't I? Can anyone advise? Many thanks

Thanks. I'm well chuffed!! Donation on its way as soon as it clears.

Settled May 5. Thanks for all your help, kind comments etc.

When Alliance and Fester tried to take all of my child benefit to pay their illegal charges I just pulled the plug on the account. Set up a new one with Smile, arranged for my child benefit and wages to be paid into that, cancelled all my direct debits and set them up on the new account. There was no way I was letting them take my benefit money. I left the account approximately £700 overdrawn, and am in the process now of working out exactly how much they have taken from me over the past couple of years. I am confident the amount they have unlawfully taken will cover the overdraft I've left behind. I'm sending the preliminary approach for repayment next week. I'd strongly advise you to set up and new account and stop them getting their hands on your money - the way they are treating you is an absolute disgrace. Have you thought of writing to your MP? Best of luck, you'll find tons of support from people going through the same as you on this site. IMO it's the best site on the Web!!!!

Well played mcuth. I'm gunning for them next!!

Quick update... No reply recieved by the end of the 14-day deadline, so on Tuesday night I filed an online claim. Checked last night and it has been accepted, and today I got the paper confirmation in the post. They've got until May 6 to reply.

Nice!! It makes you feel better just to have them squirm a bit, doesn't it! Good luck with your claim.

It's £1,200 to me.....

Spiceskull, you're an absolute star. It works!! It works!! Thanks very, very much. leighsmum