Barclays reserve fees

[John1987]

Good afternoon,

I received a phone call on my French phone nearly 5months ago from a

company called "regents legal" concerning an outstanding liability of

462.50 british pounds.

I was shocked to receive this call as I have never had any bank

problems in my life (either in the UK or in France).

The company explained that I owed barclays 462.50 pounds when I never

spent that much money.

I waited months to receive a proper explanation from the company

barclays had contacted. Their answer was always "when are you going to

pay us Mr. Lacroix", and we are unable to explain why you owe barclays

this money.

They finally sent me a mail in February(that I never received),

followed by an email of my account details (1month later, only after I

spent40 euro twice on my phone calling them up!)

I had money left on my British account, all my mails where transferred

from the UK to my French home, and my UK bank manager told me that my

UK account would automatically be closed.

I used my credit card while I was in France, and when I realized I had

a 50pence dept, I immediately tried to transfer funds onto my account.

Unfortunately, I was unable to do so since Barclays where more

concerned about making me pay 462.50 pounds than letting me pay my

debt of 50 pence.

I now owe more than 400 pounds to Barclays because of this, and was

not told about their "reserve fees", when I went to their bank at

Picadilly Circus, I was told it was like in France, where in case you

make a mistake on a transfer one day, you would not have to pay any

fees. I was therefore lied to, because there are fees of 22 pounds to

pay per week, whatever the amount.

To make things even worse, the second company just called back and

told me that I would have to pay even more fees.

What should I do?

I believe this to be outrageous behaviour on behalf of barclays, and

shall never go to this bank again.

I tried calling barclays,but each time I got them on the phone they told me they weren't dealing with my dossier anymore.

Furthermore, Regents even said they would start to press charges??

Do you know what I should do since some people here seem to have the same problem?

john

[cerberusalert]

Furthermore, Regents even said they would start to press charges??

They cannot press any charges, this purely a civil matter not a criminal one.

 

How old is this alleged debt?

[John1987]

Thank you for reasuring me!

I though I would have been stopped at the border.

The alleged charges are 5-6months old

[cerberusalert]

They cannot take any legal action here in the UK because a CCJ cannot be obtained against a non-uk resident.

 

It is possible that they could apply to a French court under the European small claims procedure http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?306494-European-small-claims-procedure-Enforcement-of-EU-judgements(1-Viewing)-nbsp although given the amount they claim I doubt whether they'll pursue that route given the cost involved and particularly so as you are aware the French legal system isn't fast.

 

I take it they have an address for you in France? If so I would wait until you receive something in writing. It is an extremely bad idea to get into telephone conversations with debt collectors because they are known to prevaricate & they wouldn't dream of committing to paper what they will say on the 'phone.

[John1987]

great news!!

thank you very much.

In theory I owe them 50pence!

(but they added 462pounds in "fees", which we both know cost them nothing but time)

true, the French Law is very slow, and will be on my side, they would spend about 1500 euro minimum+different fees which would go up to 5-10k euro.

so I don't think they should!

Should I just ignore their calls?

[cerberusalert]

Should I just ignore their calls?

Yes, they are just trying to intimidate you into making payments.

[John1987]

thank you very much! you are a life saver! I though as much but since my knowledge of french law is far better than my knowledge of uk law I was a bit lost!

thanks again!

PS if you need advice about something in France don't hesitate to ask (or tell people I can help)

[cerberusalert]

There are only a couple of threads relating to people living in France if you would like to add your support;

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?305949-Living-in-France-not-sure-how-to-proceed-with-creditors&highlight=france

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?303558-Australian-Credit-corp-chasing-me-for-dept-i-now-live-in-France&highlight=france

[John1987]

thx! i answered one of them, the other you already answered the question!

(very well i might add) and I had nothing to add to your answer.

thx again!

[cerberusalert]

Thx.