Nationwide Flex account referred to debt collector- help please

[Thames57]

If any one can give me any pointers I would be very grateful.

 

In 2009 I was in the unfortunate position of turning to a debt solutions company, whom i have been very pleased with.

 

They advised at the time to stop all payments and close my nationwide flex account.

 

i went to the branch and this was done, any charges / interst on the account were paid and in as far as i knew the account was closed.

 

2 weeks later I received notification that the account was overdrawn, through charges / fees,

I went straight to the branch and they agreed it was their error and rectified the matter.

 

I was then fortunate to get a job, but it takes me out of the country.

 

when i returned I had letters saying the account was now almost 300 in debt, through charges and fees and interest.

 

immediately I contacted various numbers but was told they could not access the account.

I went to the branch but was told they could not help as the account had been passed to collections,

they gave me a number to call, but it was the same one.

 

I had leave the country again.

 

when returned the account was now almost £500,

 

I wrote and complained, and they took 40 off the account for a part error on their part,

but said it was my fault as a creditor was calling for payment on the account.

 

However, I did contact the said creditor but they said they hadn't called for anypayments from nationwidee,

they were happy with the management agreement through the debt solution company.

 

The account was then sent to a debt collection agency,

can't recall which one now,

but any how I explained to them that I disputed the debt,

and why and they returned the debt to Nationwide.

 

I have now had a letter from Arc Europe,

I wrote and explained that i disputed the debt,

but they have written and said that Nationwide say the debt is valid and is my responsibility.

 

I could offer to pay the debt via the debt solution company, that is not the issue.

 

The thing is i don't see I can be held responsible when I feel that I have tried to sort it out.

 

unfortunately i am not country for periods of time so I have small timescales to try and get things sorted.

 

Any help suggestions greatly appreciated.

Edited June 6, 2013 by citizenB
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[citizenB]

You should make a Formal Complaint in writing to the Bank's Head office.

 

Make sure you head your letter Formal Complaint.

 

Detail what has happened that you don't believe this error is yours - that you consider the Bank is not treating you fairly.

 

Tell them what you want them to do to resolve the situation. Copy the letter to the Debt Collector. The Account is officially in dispute and they should back off until the Bank resolves the situation.

 

If they don't, or not to your satisfaction, then you should take your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman - again, do all this in writing. Keep copies of proof of postings attached to your copies of the letters.

 

The Bank has 8 weeks to resolve your dispute or provide you with a Final Response letter when you can then take your complaint to the Ombudsman.

[dx100uk]

2nd thought

 

yu might be happy with the fee paying DMC

but check how much of your payments ARE getting through

 

and that ALL your creditors paid via them

SHOW on your cra file

and

the payments show too.

 

dx

[Thames57]

Many thanks.

I will definitely try this route first, as you suggested.

I could easily ask them to be added to the list of creditors paid through the debt solution without any problem but i feel Nationwide has treated me unfairly.

I feel as though I was in a no win situation.

I'll post the outcome.

Many thanks once again.

[Thames57]

Many thanks for the advise given to me regarding the charges and interest that Nationwide chased me for for the last few years.

 

I wrote again to Arc Europe with a copy of yet another letter to Nationwide, they upheld the complaint until Nationwide made a decision.

 

In my letter to Nationwide I detailed again everything that had happened to me,

I said I felt I had been treated unfairly and that they had made it impossible for me to speak to anyone in order to sort the account.

 

Ii have received a letter this week stating that they are going to refund all the charges on the account and close the account and withdraw the chase for payment.

They said it could take 2/3 weeks for it to finalise.

 

I feel its been a fight but right and fairness seems to have won the day!

[dx100uk]

hey great news

 

I hope they clear your cra file too if that is trashed?

 

dx