Until everyone is in bed there isn't a hope in hell of me getting anywhere near the computer. Add in a touch of insomnia... and the fact taking on the banks is the most fun I've had in years, and there's the reason for my nocturnal habits!

Hi Bill-k. Believe me, I've seen most of the tricks the Halifax have tried to pull, and I expect nothing less from them! Great idea to specify payment from the start, I'll remember that.

Today I got a letter from Karen Winkler "member relations officer", telling me they have completed their investigations regarding my concerns relating to charges. Errm. My favourite bit is the final paragraph- "Thank you for taking the time to bring your concerns to our attention. We do not want to lose you as a member so hope that, on reflection, you will now feel able to accept and comply with the flexaccount terms and conditions." In the post I also received my notice of issue from mcol. It says that on the same day the wonderful Ms Winkler sent her lovely letter, my claim against them was issued, and will be deemed served on the 27th Nov. I think that will be the perfect response to that letter!

I wouldn't like to think they (ahem) "often" take dd's on the wrong day.... I mean, anyone would think they were making money out of it...

Being a laydee, I use "fob off", lol.

Thanks for that note about benefits, JonCris! As a disabled person on benefits, I have watched my bank take up to £60 at a time in charges out of my account, which only contains benefit payments. Funny how many banks wanted to get business from benefit recipients when the giros/order books stopped... On a charges over 6 years note, I have sent an SAR to the Halifax for my old account (opened december 1994, still apparently open but untouched since last attempt at regular payments 2002) which is at least £1500 overdrawn. I'm looking forward to seeing what information I get back.

Hi Big Lad! Yeah! You have joined the lucky recipients of the first "fob off" letter! We all truly treasure it... until they send the next letter in response to your lba! Keep up the good work. Its funny really that when the Nationwide are going on about how they are enviromentally aware and reducing their use of paper, they still churn out loads off pointless letters like these. Maybe they could do the planet a favour AND take us seriously at the same time!

Hi everyone! I have recently sent off my SAR for A&L. I'm already at the mcol stage with nationwide, and it has spurred me on to start the process with these guys. At least they can't threaten to close my account cos they already have! I joined them in august 2003, set up a dd, which they took on the wrong day and bounced. So I argued, wouldn't put money into the account, they added charges until they closed the account in the december 2003. In feb 2004 I paid them £94 to go away- I was pregnant and have no other explaination for why I did it! And now I'm (relatively) sane, I want my cash back!

I will! I'm camped by the letterbox until I hear something! If nothing else I'm a great draught excluder.

Hi again! Tackled spreadsheets, and have filed claim finally. I couldn't bare to waste another day with them thinking I was a coward! Reading how you are all doing really helps my resolve!

Hi, I'm at the mcol stage- well I'm trying to use the spreadsheets to calculate my 8%- argh! I wish I was more computer literate. I think my husband is going to have to help me. I must say I'm appreciating the two crap letters Nationwide have sent me. I look forward to them responding to the court!