Here's a development. Whoohoo!! A member of KJ's staff called me today stating that they are ready to make an offer. It has only taken them almost 4 months to do this. Maybe my file has just made it to the top of the mountain of claims, or maybe the court date is looming ever closer. Anyway, there is a discrepancy over the amount I have claimed Barclays have taken in charges and the amount Barclays have claimed to have actually taken. The discrepancy amounts to approximately £600 less than my claim!!! I have just waded through my six years worth of statements and my claim amount of what the fatherless chillen have taken is deadly accurate. I have proof! I then asked the caller where he/she got the information from. The bank provided only a total of the claims from somewhere. (Perhaps they went to cloud cuckooland for it) I then suggested, why don't you get a printout of my statements from the Bank's records like I did. The caller then told me that was not possible and could I send them a copy of my statements??? Excuse me, I said, why should I send a copy of my statements which the bank sent to me back to the bank? I need them for my court case. The caller merely wanted to verify that my figures were accurate. What should I do? Should I send the Litigation section a copy of my statements or not? I have the original statements and a copy of all the statements. Will it help my case if I am seen to be helpful or should I argue that the bank's litigation section should have access to this information. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated. While going through the statements I noticed something disturbing. Barclays increased their charges from £25 and £30 to £30 and £35 for paid referral fee and unpaids out charges respectively. This happened at the beginning of April this year, the same time that the OFT's report on credit card charges was issued. Is this merely a coincidence or did barclays decide to make some more money while they could before a reduction in charges was forced on them. Remember that excessive bank charges was mentioned in the report. Any views on this would also be appreciated.

Gizmo, sorry to interrupt this thread but you need to make some room in your PM inbox as I have just got a message saying that it is full.

Helly Welly, nice name. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions here. Dumb questions are easier to handle than dumb mistakes.

I've heard that Mickey Mouse has asked for a citi cards watch for Christmas!:grin: Who is BS? Is it Billy Smart? (Billy Smart's circus for those not old enough to remember!) Gizmo, I'll PM you the details.

Hi Keren and all others who have contributed to this brilliant thread. It has made great reading. May I suggest a possible result of the very large hole that Smith & co have dug for citi cards. My thread is here To save you having to read it, I have just received a "nice" letter from citi cards telling me that they will again look into my claim for refund of charges. My LBA was sent in May! Why should they, all of a sudden, write to me again. Perhaps they are trying to pacify those of us who haven't issued a claim yet. Hi Brian, we haven't locked horns yet but if citi cards don't refund my charges in full, we will!!! Best of luck Keren and all other claimants, although we don't really need it. We have the law on our side!

LTWFB, I have just read your Thread on perjury. Maybe Citi Cards are now getting scared over all the potential court claims out there, mine included, and I am claiming almost £2,000. This may explain their "nice" letter to me. They may be trying to pacify us all into not entering into litigation. I have news for them. Refund my charges in full or I will issue a claim!!! I think that we are winning the battle against Citi Cards and it appears that heads are starting to roll.:grin:

I have just received a strange letter from Citi Cards. I have not written them since my LBA letter in May. "Thank you for taking the time to write to me about the refund of default charges to your Citi Card account. I understand that you have contacted us previously about this matter, which we will now look into again for you. To allow me to review your request I may be required to obtain copies of your statements. Unfortunately, if this is the case, it may take between three and six weeks as they are retrieved from our archives, however if I am able to get this information sooner I will do so. Once I have the information and assessed your request I will confirm in writing the outcome. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your patience, in resolving this matter and if you have any further questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below and I will be happy to assist you. Mark Clibbens Tel 0800 146 088 Email citicardsman.customerfeedback@citigroup.com On the surface it seems like a nice polite friendly letter. However, we all know Citi Cards better than that. They have revealed their true colours on numerous occasions. They will probably refund to me the difference between my charges and £12 over the last six years. When I am ready, I will go after the remainder through a court claim. One advantage of this is that we now have a freephone number to him and an email address. I will not be holding my breath on this and...

Hi Anita Kane. stop what you are doing and read this:- http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/general/announcement-center-bankfodder-very-sick.html If anybody wants help from this site it is important that you know what you are doing first. Dumb questions are easier to handle than dumb mistakes! Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!:grin:

Hi Caz, sorry for the delay in replying, I tend to wait for a development before replying. Anyway, I'm still waiting for my court date. My file has been referred to the district judge. I have been advised that it may be anything up to two more weeks before they contact me again. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!:grin:

As I understand it, Banks fear disclosure more than appearing in court. Standard Disclosure will mean that banks will have to make public exactly how they arrive at the charge amount. This is one of the banks' most closely guarded secrets. If we keep asking the judges for standard disclosure, then one of them may just enforce it. I asked for it on my AQ. Didn't get it though...yet! Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

Hi Loutalbot. Further to other replies, and I hope the moderators read this also, "Dumb questions are easier to handle than dumb mistakes" Before you do anything else, read this. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/litigation/announcement-center-bankfodder-very-sick.html Take your time and read the FAQs, templates and as many other threads as possible so you can learn the general procedure for getting your money back. I suspect that you didn't enclose your £10 Data Protection Act fee. No worries, just wait until the bank replies to your request, then come back to the forum for advice. As for the moderators blowing a gasket, that will have no effect on people who join in the future. We were all newbies when we first joined. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!:grin:

For your information, I have just found this press release from the Office of Fair Trading regarding their intention to investigate Bank charges. Following success on credit card default charges - OFT turns attention to bank current accounts My interpretation is that they will undertake a fact-finding mission first. (just speaking to all of us first will save them a lot of time. We have all the facts!) Then they will decide whether further investigation is required? Mmmmmm! I wonder what their findings will be?:o Anyway, things are moving in our favour. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!:grin:

Welcome aboard Sue F. Go for glory. This forum will help you get ALL your money back. Just a small point to be aware of, the banks regularly visit these sites. This is why most of us have ficticious names that makes us anonymous. I can't help you with your credit score problem. I am the Homer Simpson of the credit scoring world. Have you seen the episode when he tries to buy a camper van on credit? Start your own thread for each bank or credit card company or any other company that owes you money and you will receive all the support you need. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

Bump

If the judges are sympathetic to the way the banks are abusing the system, why are they applying these stays. This only helps the banks' delaying tactics. The quickest way for the claimants (us) to get their money would surely be to set a court date at the earliest opportunity. The judges should have realised by now that the banks will settle just before the hearing. The small claims court procedure was designed to speed up the process for small claims to be settled early. Why are judges slowing the process down? Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

I've found a freephone number for Barclays Customer Services. 0800 435872 This was discovered while visiting my hero's web site here While you are there check out the cheaper phone call options. Personally, I use the 18866 service which makes calls to any geographical number free apart from a tiny connection charge. If you want to find a cheaper number for any 0870, 0845 etc. number then go to SAYNOTO0870.COM - Non-Geographical Alternative Telephone Numbers and use the search facility to find the geographical and free numbers.:grin: If you are not aware, 0870 and 0845 etc. numbers are expensive to call and while you are waiting for an operator, the company you are calling are making loadsamoney. Therefore, they won't really care how long you have to wait!!! If you find any other Freephone Bank numbers could you please post them on this thread and maybe the moderators could eventually turn this thread into a sticky for all future members to see. I could compile a list of them but I feel it is always better for people to find things out for themselves. They would then own that knowledge and will probably never forget it. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!:grin:

I've found a freephone number for Barclays Customer Services. 0800 435872 This was discovered by visiting my hero's web site here:razz: While you are there check out the cheaper phone call options. Personally, I use the 18866 service which makes calls to any geographical number free apart from a tiny connection charge. If you want to find a cheaper number for any 0870, 0845 etc. number then go to SAYNOTO0870.COM - Non-Geographical Alternative Telephone Numbers and use the search facility to find the geographical and free numbers. If you are not aware, 0870 numbers are expensive to call and while you are waiting for an operator, the company you are calling are making loadsamoney. Therefore, they won't really care how long you have to wait!!!:o Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

Well done Odie but don't hold your breath waiting for Barclays. My claim was served in early July and I'm still waiting. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

Expo2 please start your own thread and you will get more help. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

I am glad that my tip was posted on the site. People obviously found it. I thought the broadcast was excellent. He hit the nail on the head when he said that consumers are at war with the banks. I believe that the banks are running very scared.:? He didn't give out the URL of this site but I found it through his pages, and he did give out his URL. There should now be a flood of new members which will cause an avalanche of claims hitting the banks. If you missed the broadcast, it will still be available using Radio 2's Listen again facility, for the next week. BBC - Radio 2 - Jeremy Vine No harm in giving out the link again, Olliebear. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

Hi Alexei, welcome to the forum. Firstly, start your own thread, it will be seen by all members especially the Moderators. Secondly, have a good look through the FAQs on this site and read through the Bank Templates section. All you need to know to get started is in there. Lastly, listen to The Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 on Fri 6th Oct between 12:00 and 14:00. Martin Lewis will be speaking to Jeremy about bank charges. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

Congratulations Mervalous, great thread to read. I think we have found a star in Wolfcub. Make her a Moderator if she has the time! My stay will be lifted 5th Oct and all I have to do then is wait for the court date. When the time comes I will refer back to this thread for advice on documents to send, what to say to the judge etc. You didn't let the fatherless chillen get ya!!!

I recently received a reply from a moderator mentioning Smith and Co. Now I understand who this is. I await the developments with baited breath. My four-figure claim will be issued soon. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!:grin:

My Standard order for stay for settlement doesn't state that a new AQ should be filed. I have checked with the Court clerk and was informed the AQ already submitted will be enough. Remember that all the information the judge will need to allocate a date is already on the first AQ. Are we expected to pay £100 for another AQ? I hope not. By the way, Barclays are ignoring me too. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!

Hi Anita Kane, first of all it would be better to start your own thread. It is more likely to be seen by everyone, especially the moderators. The only people who will see this thread is those who have subscribed to it. Personally, I would wait for the statements to arrive but if you are happy to claim an estimated amount then go ahead. Go to the Bank Templates section and send the initial claim letter, after 14 days send the letter before action (LBA). On the actual claim itself, you should detail each and every charge and calculate the 8% interest. This is why you need the statements. It sounds daunting but this forum is jam-packed with people who have already done this. We will be with you every step of the way. Don't let the fatherless chillen get ya!