Halifax gave me overdraft, out of work

[luke1989]

I got in some difficulties and lost my job, as someone close to me passed away i was having difficulties coming to terms with it. ended up being gambling addict, I'm recovered now have been for some time. although i put a block on a lot of gambling sites so i cant join them again.

 

 

 

Due to situation i was struggling to buy food and other items due to being out of work and gambling, i told Halifax of my situation and that i was unemployed but still had around £2000 savings only, it wasn't much but he saw my savings, it was just under £2000 not much.

 

 

 

To my surprise he upgraded my bank account and gave me a £6000 over draft even though i didn't lie and was totally honest about being unemployed, surprised they didnt even check that i was spending all my money gambling.

 

 

 

Yes i was young and stupid, i lost money on gambling and general living until i got back on my feet again with help of family and friends.

 

 

The bank then chased me for the debt, i informed them that they shouldn't of given me a overdraft of that much when i was unemployed, they wrote back admitting they were aware i was unemployed at the time, but because i showed proof of having funds they thought i would gain employment soon, seems odd answer as do they normally give people money in hopes of them gaining employment?

 

 

plus £2000 is hardly a lot of money. I spoke to someone from Halifax on the phone who told me that they had made mistake by giving me the overdraft but they have not admitted this in writing.

 

 

 

I also told them that most of transactions were gambling and i was going through difficult and depressing time, i was on medication also, they just told me sorry to hear that but i still need to pay outstanding amount. Although they did leave me alone until debt was recently passed on.

 

 

 

 

Do i ask for credit agreement or how do i go about disputing this, as i really cant afford to pay it now.

 

 

 

As though I'm back on track i don't have the money to spare to pay of the debt as it will leave me struggling.

 

 

 

I still have a basic bank account with them they have not closed that down.

 

 

 

But they passed my debt to a collection agency.

 

 

 

I will never gambling again or get myself in this situation, i had bad time in my life and could not deal with daily life so went into my own world.

Edited July 24, 2013 by luke1989

[renegadeimp]

How long ago was this overdraft last used?

 

You could make a complaint under BCOBS and provide medical evidence or similar that you were suffering a severe addiction at the time.

[luke1989]

around 3 years ago when i was going through bad time, i used it quite quickly due to my gambling problem and suffering with quite bad depression at the time.

 

Halifax left me alone until 2 weeks ago i got a letter of debt collection agency saying debts been passed to them and i need to pay it.