Halifax Charges Unemployed

[Creaney18]

Hello,

During the last few months I have been struggling with finances. I have been unemployed since August 2009 and have an overdraft with halifax, albeit, only £250.

They have charged me £328 of charges, since the middle of November. Being on JSA of £50 weekly, I find it very hard to pay this, infact I cant pay any due to other commitments. My first few weeks of JSA were taken from me in November covering the charges hence why its only the following amount now.

My account now lies £433.50 od. They have requested an immediate payment of £188.50 and have harassed my house with calls, I live with my parents, and they are getting extremely annoyed with this, near breaking point.

I have answered to halifax on a number of occassions and offered to pay i.e £10 weekly back. They will not accept this!! I have also told them that I am unemployed to which they respond basically saying "tough".

I am very annoyed as these charges have come off the likes of, interest notified etc, pushing me over the £250.

Can anybody advise how to sort this out? How to stop the harassment? I acknowledge I owe them money, and as honest as I am, ill pay it as soon as I am employed and earning.

Thanks

[natweststaffmember]

Re: Halifax Charges Unemployed

Hello,

During the last few months I have been struggling with finances. I have been unemployed since August 2009 and have an overdraft with halifax, albeit, only £250.

They have charged me £328 of charges, since the middle of November. Being on JSA of £50 weekly, I find it very hard to pay this, infact I cant pay any due to other commitments. My first few weeks of JSA were taken from me in November covering the charges hence why its only the following amount now.

My account now lies £433.50 od. They have requested an immediate payment of £188.50 and have harassed my house with calls, I live with my parents, and they are getting extremely annoyed with this, near breaking point.

I have answered to halifax on a number of occassions and offered to pay i.e £10 weekly back. They will not accept this!! I have also told them that I am unemployed to which they respond basically saying "tough".

I am very annoyed as these charges have come off the likes of, interest notified etc, pushing me over the £250.

Can anybody advise how to sort this out? How to stop the harassment? I acknowledge I owe them money, and as honest as I am, ill pay it as soon as I am employed and earning.

Thanks

Firstly, write to Halifax with an income and expenditure form. Explain your circumstances and how much money you have coming in and what you have going out. Tell them that you cannot pay more than x or y amount. If you look in the hardship issues forum it will give you a link to an income and expenditure form that Halifax will accept.
EDIT: link added Legal Beagles - View Single Post - Hardship - Individual Banks Requirements Who to contact
If they ring your house again tell them that you have written to them with your income and expenditure and that you require all communication in writing with them. From the point you have told them this, log every single call you receive after that point as it may form part of a harrassment complaint to Halifax.
If you write to Halifax either deliver it to the branch and ask for a receipt or ask that the person you speak to gives you their business card and you need to write the date on it(so that if there is further issues with them that you know when and who you gave the letter to). Ok?