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General => News => Topic started by: Robert_Brenchley on March 04, 2006, 11:37:15

Title: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 04, 2006, 11:37:15
After nine months since my application, I've finally had a letter from Criminal Injuries, agreeing my compensation for having a classroom door kicked into my head. The next stage now is legal action against half a dozen banks over unlawful fees. Thery're settling cases every week, and they've had thousands off me that they weren't entitled to, so I want my pound of flesh!
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Dan 2 on March 04, 2006, 11:39:03
Im pleased you've got your compensation, hope the next step goes well, Dan ;-)
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: grawrc on March 04, 2006, 11:43:04
Amazing that it has taken so long!
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 04, 2006, 14:30:38
Apparently it takes months for them to get info from the police; it's a constant problem. They are trying to streamline it, and they're increasing compensation at the top end of the scale, unfortunately at the cost of cutting it at the lower end. Since the kid was cautioned, it should have been straightforward, but at present they're required to get all sorts of details which are probably superfluous for most cases.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: MrsKP on March 04, 2006, 17:54:12
i missed the start of the saga Robert, but hope you're ok after your ordeal.  it's sounds quite appalling just from your post there !   :o

i hope you get your just deserts with a few extra bits for your trouble, needless stress, hours of endless worry and anger.

if you were a pop star you'd have had compensaton +++++ by now.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Wicker on March 04, 2006, 23:34:38
Good on you, Robert, for sticking at it.  Makes me think of
Quote
Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small;
Though with patience He stands waiting, with exactness grinds He all
  I wish that were really true and that the unjustly treated  didn't have to work so hard to prove their point - not everyone has your strength, but then that probably comes from your faith so my argument has come full circle - well done so far and good luck for the rest of your fight!! :)
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: derbex on March 06, 2006, 12:32:23
Keep at 'em Robert.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Heldi on March 06, 2006, 12:51:24
Good that you have got your compensation and good luck with chasing after those blinking banks!
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: busy_lizzie on March 06, 2006, 12:56:36
Sorry you have had such an appalling time trying to get compensation Robert and good luck with going after the banks,  - hope justic is done. busy_lizzie
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 06, 2006, 21:24:05
It will be; the banks are being taken to court over unlawful penalty charges every week, and they're settling every case at the moment. I'm after six of them.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Jesse on March 07, 2006, 13:22:49
pleased to hear your good news Robert :)
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Wicker on March 17, 2006, 11:00:47
Robert, don't know what progress you have made but thought you might enjoy reading this from our local free paper yesterday - light at the end of the tunnel I hope

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwAOA8cUv!OgtHZzwtAn9NtFOdSI4VjByOVFY0nh*3UZvsH*QO9AiyFnJoxiwdyRgSTvcDj59c5IROCq8KeSmcyBFYgm*3Lxw4YqT2H!*H8/Bank%20Charges.jpg?dc=4675564499739161170)
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Greenfingers Jo on March 17, 2006, 11:41:12
for those who wish to pursue the unfair bank charges have a look at www.moneysavingexpert.com.

All the forms, facts and procedures are laid out clearly.
Good luck!

Jo
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 17, 2006, 18:49:30
I've been following that case; it's unusual in that the bank didn't pay up. Usually they settle long before it reaches that case. There are rumours of an imminent ruling form the Office of Fair Trading; they said over a year ago that the banks should charge no more than a court would award (ie no more than the cost to the bank, and what does it cost them to put on a penalty charge?), but they haven't followed through. Hence the developing mayhem.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: redimp on March 19, 2006, 22:59:36
LloydsTSB is the bank that has caused me so much grief (aired frequently on here) over the past year.  I may have to join you in seeking legal advice.  I have thought about it but I have a proof problem as I do everything online so the only real records are stored with the bank ???.  They could make life difficult and expensive over discovery.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 20, 2006, 00:05:23
Make a request for the info under the Data Protection Act; they have to supply everything you ask for within 40 days, and can't charge more than £10. You'll find everything you need here, including form letters: http://www.bankactiongroup.com/
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: redimp on March 20, 2006, 18:17:57
Thanks for the info Robert - I will let you know how I get on.  The more of us who act the better.  I feel that what they have done to me is deliberately manipulate my account for profit.  They have moved things around so they don't get paid and then charged me for not paying them - always paying themselves first so yet more bounces.  The more of us who teach them a lesson the better.  I have never hated a company quite like I hate my bank (yes, still haven't managed to extricate myself so I can bank full time with the Co-Op)
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 20, 2006, 18:45:40
I know exactly what you mean; I've had six banks taking me to the cleaner's, with the result that I could never straighten myself out. The more people who do it in reverse the better; it's time their victims turned the tables.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Wicker on March 20, 2006, 20:43:37
Lloyds have apparently paid Brian Mullen http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=personalFinanceNews&storyID=2006-03-16T111414Z_01_NOA640357_RTRUKOC_0_BRITAIN-BANK-BAILIFFS.xml can only hope the Office of Fair Trading does carry out its threat to review bank charges - seems they have gone up over 30% on some "products" in the past two years. 
 
Certainly gives my age away when I say that I think back very fondly to the days when my wages came in a little envelope with a payslip every Friday!! Knew where we stood - oh, and we put shillings in the electric meter and the coalman delivered coal - I know, I know I'm seeing it all thru rose coloured specs.............. Good luck to anyone taking on the banks anyway.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: amphibian on March 21, 2006, 10:56:09
When I had a student account my bank charge £1.50 for returned payments. Now they charge £37.50 on my current account. I suspect the first charge reflects something approaching their 'real' costs, after all students probably have more retrurned payments than most and there is no way the banks would want to lose £36 everytime a student's account isn't in perfect order.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 21, 2006, 20:20:28
Students also tend to be hard up, articulate, clued up, and thus potentially litigious.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: telboy on March 21, 2006, 22:06:31
Good luck with your 'fight' Robert.
I won one last year against the bank that I had had a Mortgages with for 34 yrs., with no defaults.
They tried to screw me with a redemption charge increase of 87% - 14 days before the mortgage was paid off.
I won with no charges!
I recommend to you all, the Golden Rule. Write to the Top with copies to all who would cringe at what they are doing.
Good luck!!
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Mac49 on March 26, 2006, 02:54:46
Does this apply to catalogues as well, just got charged £15 for being a week
late in paying, 1 letter £15?. by the way it was Kay's. they also said that they share
information about late payers and they would stop me having credit elswhere.
Title: Re: Compensation at last
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on March 26, 2006, 10:22:24
A late payment is legally a breach of contract, and a court is allowed to award no more than the actual cost; anything more is unlawful. So any 'penalty charge' is unlawful, and they can be forced to return it. Sign up at the site I gave earlier, and ask for advice. I don't know about a default, though I'd have thought this was excessive pettiness, so it may be possible to challenge it. I do know that if you can argue that you defaulted due to problems caused by previous unlawful charges, it's possible to get them removed from your record.
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