My numerous letters of complaint have produced a SMALL return: I received a letter written by a HUMAN apologising for the nuisance calls I've been getting to my landline and mobile.
The letter was from Halifax Credit Card department in response to my grievance about receiving automated calls requesting that I call them back. What I really can't stand about computerised calls, apart from the frequency of such calls ranging from 2 to 5 and the fact that you can't answer back (which I do anyway as I can swear as much as I can because they can't hear me), is the fact that they MISPRONOUNCE MY NAME.
Going back to the letter: I was rather impressed with the careful drafting and the diplomatic tone however there was no offer to change business practices or to compensate for the inconvenience caused.
The battle continues.
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Monday, 2 February 2009
Nationwide credit card, Halifax credit card and GE Money
I have been getting hassled by automated computerised systems calling me between 5 and 10 times a day.
Nationwide Credit Card Collections department uses an automated system that calls you on your landline and mobile if you provide both numbers. This means you get exactly the same call twice on both devices.
Halifax uses the same system described above. Can you imagine receiving these calls continuously while you're at work or at home in the evening and at weekends? I call this HARASSMENT.
Their number is 08453550041. For example, on 27/1/09 this number called me
at 12.03, 2.43, 4.25, 6.21 on my landline. On 28/1/09 it called at 10.08, 3.19 and 3.48.
On the 29/1/09 this number called me at 1.35, 4.55, 5.33 on my landline and at 1.29, 5.29 on my mobile.
I tried to keep a note of these phone calls as much as I could but to be honest when you're holding down 3 jobs to make ends meet the last thing you have time for is write down times of phone calls.
I have made complaints over the telephone but now I am writing complaints by letter and I want to escalate to the FSA.
GE Money calls about every 1-3 days but they don't leave a message.
Nationwide Credit Card Collections department uses an automated system that calls you on your landline and mobile if you provide both numbers. This means you get exactly the same call twice on both devices.
Halifax uses the same system described above. Can you imagine receiving these calls continuously while you're at work or at home in the evening and at weekends? I call this HARASSMENT.
Their number is 08453550041. For example, on 27/1/09 this number called me
at 12.03, 2.43, 4.25, 6.21 on my landline. On 28/1/09 it called at 10.08, 3.19 and 3.48.
On the 29/1/09 this number called me at 1.35, 4.55, 5.33 on my landline and at 1.29, 5.29 on my mobile.
I tried to keep a note of these phone calls as much as I could but to be honest when you're holding down 3 jobs to make ends meet the last thing you have time for is write down times of phone calls.
I have made complaints over the telephone but now I am writing complaints by letter and I want to escalate to the FSA.
GE Money calls about every 1-3 days but they don't leave a message.
Monday, 29 September 2008
Natwest disproportionate overdraft charges: my experience
This is an extract from I letter I sent to Natwest recently complaining about the disproportionate unauthorised borrowing fees applied to my current account.
"I have recently received your standard reply to all complainants for unauthorised overdraft fees. Your letter is not satisfactory on many levels.
I will continue pursuing my refund request of £190 in charges levied on my account.
I do not intend to fill out and return the “Customer Financial Statement Form”: I have been a customer for 10 years and I do not deem it necessary. I disagree with your suggestions on how to reduce my debt, which I find patronising and simplistic.
In the past year from September 2007 to today I have paid £360 in interest on my overdraft plus £190 on bounced payments/unauthorised borrowing. Your bank has therefore profited from my situation at the tune of £550 a year.
As a loyal NatWest customer I am appalled by the lack of support provided to long term clients; may I remind you that during a recession CUSTOMER IS KING and businesses have to fight tooth and nail to win and retain customers. For example, First Direct is offering new clients £100 to open an account and if afterwards they are not happy and want to leave they are given another £100 as a goodwill gesture. That's what I call “putting your money where your mouth is”."
The reply I received was fairly standard: a lot of "we are sorry" but no offer to compensate until the court case on overdraft charges is cleared.
"I have recently received your standard reply to all complainants for unauthorised overdraft fees. Your letter is not satisfactory on many levels.
I will continue pursuing my refund request of £190 in charges levied on my account.
I do not intend to fill out and return the “Customer Financial Statement Form”: I have been a customer for 10 years and I do not deem it necessary. I disagree with your suggestions on how to reduce my debt, which I find patronising and simplistic.
In the past year from September 2007 to today I have paid £360 in interest on my overdraft plus £190 on bounced payments/unauthorised borrowing. Your bank has therefore profited from my situation at the tune of £550 a year.
As a loyal NatWest customer I am appalled by the lack of support provided to long term clients; may I remind you that during a recession CUSTOMER IS KING and businesses have to fight tooth and nail to win and retain customers. For example, First Direct is offering new clients £100 to open an account and if afterwards they are not happy and want to leave they are given another £100 as a goodwill gesture. That's what I call “putting your money where your mouth is”."
The reply I received was fairly standard: a lot of "we are sorry" but no offer to compensate until the court case on overdraft charges is cleared.
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