Hi! I opened a NatWest step account last week, just got confirmation this morning. Just go down to your local branch. You will need two pieces of I.D. with your name and address on. One will need to be photo I.D. A driving license or passport for example.

My thoughts exactly..... We shall see!

I phoned A&L this morning regarding the returning of card & chequebook, The nice lady said that they only intended to withdraw certain items but I can now keep them for the time being if I am a good little boy with my account... Do they now know something we don't... See younganfree's post, number 14.

Will be going to Moneyclaim when I get payed! Opened account (Nat West step) today. Waiting for confirmation. Also got joint account with missus that we hardly ever use. What I was thinking was; if making me return the cheques & card are for breaching the T&C's, then closing my account after I go to Moneyclaim must be strong evidence of realitory action? Musn't it? I mean why not close the account now?

Yeah! Something like that... It seems pointless me still owing the £300 arrears if they should not have taken the charges in the first place.

Just got a letter from A&L this morning..... It says "I must formally advise you of our intention to withdraw the chequebook and card facility that you hold on this account." It then says "Please contact our office immediately to arrange for alternative stationery to be sent. If you are unwilling to comply with request, we will have no alternative but to recover the card and stationery by other means."

Hello, Has anybody got any thoughts on this? Some of the banks/credit cards that I am going to claim charges back from have arrears. However a couple of offers that have been made to me will only be deducted from the total balance. Since part of the arrears are due to unlawful charges do you think it would be fair to expect the arrears to be paid/reduced first? For example: (purely hypothetical) If I have arrears of £300 but there are unlawful charges of £600, then this £600 could pay the arrears off first and then deduct the other £300 from the outstanding balance. So what do you think? Or is this being a bit too cheeky?

I've just received a default notice today from Bank of Scotland. However about a week ago I wrote informing them that I was in dispute with this account. This is due to some of the amount owing being made up of unlawful charges. What should I tell them next? Any help would be appreciated very much!

Update! Got second sod off letter from A&L A couple of days ago. It says the charges are correct and legal! They also say they are sorry that I am disappointedwith their service etc... No mention of the £200 that was previously offered. Moneyclaim next me thinks!

Thanks Alan. I'll start with preliminary letter right away!

Just received a letter this morning from HFC Bank insisting I either telephone them or pay the overdue amount immediately! (£411.28)They are also threatening to serve a default notice if I fail to respond. I am almost certain some or maybe all of the arrears are due to unlawful charges. (I will be submitting a claim for these charges later). How should I respond to them? I have no wish to contact anybody by telephone to discuss private/personal business but I am more than willing to correspond in writing. P.S. I sent a goodwill payment of £40 last week but I think this crossed in the post with the aforementioned letter! Any ideas for a reply would be most appreciated.

Received another letter from A&L yesterday offering £200 refund as a "gesture of goodwill". So sending letter accepting offer as part payment only and will continue my claim for the remaining amount!

LBA sent today. Claim is now for £2194.45.

Got reply from prelim letter. It says "We are currently looking into the situation and will be writing to you with a more detailed response." etc... Guess it's time for the LBA!

Thanks for that, it's put my mind at ease somewhat!

I have sent a preliminary letter requesting the return of bank charges to the sum of £2042.45. I am thinking of sending a DPA disclosure letter to A & L Credit Card next. These two accounts are in my name only. However my wife and I have a mortgage together which is also with A & L. My question is: Will they get a bit funny, perhaps threats etc. with our mortgage if I go ahead with the other two claims? I hope that was clear, I am new to this excellent site! Many thanks, Jeff.