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Hi Everybody,
For quite a while now I've been trying to claim back charges from HSBC.
About a year ago I returned to work from a very long period of serious illness. When I knew about this, and the obvious financial difficulties I was facing, I spoke to HSBC to tell them. I thought this would be the responsible thing to do.
Unfortunately I was quite suprised by the reply. My local branch didn't deal with things like that and instructed me to call the helpline they have for difficulties. I called up and was greeted with the usual non-English speaking operator. It was suggested that I get a part time job to pay back my overdraft at at least £10 a month otherwise they would not help me. Asking how I was supposed to get a part time job whilst seriously ill, I got the same reply, you have to get a job and pay something.
After a cheerful letter to their complaints department saying that I thought this was absolutely disgusting treatment, I was given a goodwill gesture paid directly in to my account of some of the charges. This took my overdraft to within the allowed £250 limit.
In the meantime I opened up a basic account with Nationwide which I have kept perfectly well.
I should point out that at the time I was being paid incapacity benefit and part of my complaint was also that they had taken charges out of this, which I believe to be against the rules?
Since all this, they took away my debit card and withdrew my overdraft facility, telling me I had to repay it. I said no as it was made up of charges and that I wanted the case looked at due to hardship.
They refused to send me a hardship form unless I phone them, which I refused to do as I wanted everything in writing. Stalemate!
Then today after a few of the usual 'give us money' letters that I ignored, low and behold a letter from HSBC drops on my mat with a FINAL DEMAND for the now £294.55 (gone up a tad from £250) unless I fill in the enclosed STATEMENT OF MEANS form and send it back within 18 days.
I seem to be getting somewhere
I should also add that just over two months ago I was made redundant and so am suffering significant financial hardship at the moment, I've gone from £1400 a month to Job Seekers pitiful £250ish and no help with rent as I live with my Mother.
Anyway, my main question after the rambling is about the form. At the bottom of the first page it asks how much you agree to repay. I fill this in with £ONE monthly, as I feel this is a token gesture and even then more than I can afford.
The bit that really riled me though is the bit that asks if I have a car and if YES, what is the Make, Model, Registration Number (!!) and Value. There's no way I'm filling that in, and I don't see why I should or why they need it unless they are going to try and get me to sell my car? Can they do that?
Also once I'd filled the form in, I realise that this isn't really a hardship form is it? They're just trying to scare me in to making a commitment to pay the money back? I am loathed to pay them anything, as I think they owe me more than the amount of the overdraft (I'm sorry I can't remember exact figures off the top of my head).
Any pointers please??
For quite a while now I've been trying to claim back charges from HSBC.
About a year ago I returned to work from a very long period of serious illness. When I knew about this, and the obvious financial difficulties I was facing, I spoke to HSBC to tell them. I thought this would be the responsible thing to do.
Unfortunately I was quite suprised by the reply. My local branch didn't deal with things like that and instructed me to call the helpline they have for difficulties. I called up and was greeted with the usual non-English speaking operator. It was suggested that I get a part time job to pay back my overdraft at at least £10 a month otherwise they would not help me. Asking how I was supposed to get a part time job whilst seriously ill, I got the same reply, you have to get a job and pay something.
After a cheerful letter to their complaints department saying that I thought this was absolutely disgusting treatment, I was given a goodwill gesture paid directly in to my account of some of the charges. This took my overdraft to within the allowed £250 limit.
In the meantime I opened up a basic account with Nationwide which I have kept perfectly well.
I should point out that at the time I was being paid incapacity benefit and part of my complaint was also that they had taken charges out of this, which I believe to be against the rules?
Since all this, they took away my debit card and withdrew my overdraft facility, telling me I had to repay it. I said no as it was made up of charges and that I wanted the case looked at due to hardship.
They refused to send me a hardship form unless I phone them, which I refused to do as I wanted everything in writing. Stalemate!
Then today after a few of the usual 'give us money' letters that I ignored, low and behold a letter from HSBC drops on my mat with a FINAL DEMAND for the now £294.55 (gone up a tad from £250) unless I fill in the enclosed STATEMENT OF MEANS form and send it back within 18 days.
I seem to be getting somewhere
I should also add that just over two months ago I was made redundant and so am suffering significant financial hardship at the moment, I've gone from £1400 a month to Job Seekers pitiful £250ish and no help with rent as I live with my Mother.
Anyway, my main question after the rambling is about the form. At the bottom of the first page it asks how much you agree to repay. I fill this in with £ONE monthly, as I feel this is a token gesture and even then more than I can afford.
The bit that really riled me though is the bit that asks if I have a car and if YES, what is the Make, Model, Registration Number (!!) and Value. There's no way I'm filling that in, and I don't see why I should or why they need it unless they are going to try and get me to sell my car? Can they do that?
Also once I'd filled the form in, I realise that this isn't really a hardship form is it? They're just trying to scare me in to making a commitment to pay the money back? I am loathed to pay them anything, as I think they owe me more than the amount of the overdraft (I'm sorry I can't remember exact figures off the top of my head).
Any pointers please??
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