[GJM] pConsumer Action Group March Newsletter/ People Versus the Banks, and their Charges!

Tue Mar 27 13:28:45 MDT 2007

This came into my inbox.

R.Searle.

--- Consumer Action Group
<Consumer_Action_Group_zssqvz at cmpgnr.com> wrote:

> ...MARCH 2007
> 
> You are receiving this because you have
> subscribed.You can use the unsubscribe button at the
> bottom of this page to stop receiving these
> newsletters.
> Consumer Action Group - Facts and Figures !
> 
> Since we began recording site usage in April 2006,
> when we had just 2000 members, we have had 730,000
> template letters downloaded. Helped over 6000 people
> successfully reclaim over ï¿½9.1 million back from
> the banks, and attract over 3000 visitors per day.
> We currently have over 127,000 registered members.
> 
> Thinking of changing supplier/insurance company etc
> ...? Using u-switch directly helps this site.
> 
> Northern Ireland Judge accepts Citi's Evidence
> 
> Elements of the Northern Ireland judiciary have got
> it into their heads that ï¿½12 is fair and
> "recommended by the OFT ".This seems to be blithely
> accepted as gospel, despite the OFT report stating
> otherwise
> 
> A CAG member issued an appeal against a decision
> allowing Citi to charge ï¿½12.88 for breach of
> contract. The judgement was given in a Northern
> Ireland court back in September, and an appeal was
> granted. The judgement was held.
> 
> In Northern Ireland the rules are interpreted
> slightly differently and in this case the appeal
> court ruled that the banks do not have to give you
> prior notice of evidence they shall be depending
> upon in court, and a judge is fully entitled to
> accept evidence given in the form of undisclosed
> documents,and to accept the validity thereof without
> any further investigation. Points of law appealed
> using the Human Rights Legislation and Statute
> regarding overriding objective do not amount to
> anything in civil cases.
> 
> For future reference, it may be prudent for anyone
> contemplating action against CITI in NI to either
> file an action via the English Courts using anyone
> whom you know who lives there and who will allow you
> to use their address for paperwork from the court,
> asking for full disclosure of how their charges are
> made up, or else take the ex gratia payment and
> leave it at that.
> 
> Read forum discussion here
> 
> NEW!
> Protect yourself against Identity Theft
> 
> Identity theft is on the increase. It can have
> dramatic consequences for your life!
> Lawpack Publishing
> have just released their new
> Identity Theft - Self Help Kit
> The kit contains a detailed guide to identity theft
> 
> Why wait until this has happened to you?
> See what you can do about Identity theft now
> ï¿½9.99 plus ï¿½1.24 P&P
> 
> Click here for more info
> 
> 
> Natwest Defence Struck out by Reading Court !
> 
> Seems as though more and more judges have had enough
> of the banks constant abuse of the court process.
> Last month we reported on a number of claims in
> Lincoln where judges had threatened to strike out
> bank defences to penalty charge claims. A few days
> ago a judge at Reading County Court has issued the
> following order against Natwest Bank;
> 
> 1. Defence struck out as an abuse of process.
> 
> 2. Claimant may enter judgement for the outstanding
> balance of the claim and court fees and interest.
> 
> There is NO leave for Natwest to set aside,vary or
> stay the order.
> 
> The Claimant is filing for judgement forthwith.....
> 
> Read forum discussion here
> 
> A Small Claims handbook
> 
> Reclaim the Right! Small Claims Procedure by Judge
> Patricia Pearl An excellent guide for the layperson
> .Not for use in Scotland. ï¿½17.10 + ï¿½1 p&p
> 
> 
> Click here for more info
> 
>  
> 
> Letter of Support from Labour MP
> 
> Following a meeting with a Labour MP, a Consumer
> Action Group member received a letter supporting the
> work we do.
> 
> ''I am pleased to hear that your consumer action
> group is continuing to gather support. I can assure
> you I am in full support of your cause to end unfair
> bank charges which so often negatively affects the
> low-income families.''
> 
> They also added;
> 
> The OFT are currently working with the ''Financial
> Services Authority and the British Bankers
> Association to investigate the application of
> charges to current accounts. Once the fact finding
> mission is reported, which is due to report shortly,
> the OFT will consider whether further investigation
> of the fairness of individual charges is required.
> 
> Further to this, the Banking Codes Review, which was
> undertaken by the OFT has called for a number of
> measures relating to bank charges. These include
> greater pricing transparency, and end to the
> reliance on hidden charges, improving customer
> information as well as pre-notification of charges,
> allowing at least 14 days notice.
> 
> In addition, in November last year the Treasury
> Select Committee urged banks to drop unreasonable
> penalty charges and introduce a ï¿½10 penalty buffer
> zone to help low income households. ''
> 
> 
> 
> Let them know you're serious.
> The Consumer Action Group envelope labels
> Sheet of 20 self-adhesive envelope labels
> ï¿½3.50 inc p&p
> 
> Click here for more info
> 
> Claiming in Scotland over ï¿½750 ??
> 
> Claiming in Scotland has suffered a small
> setback...as many of you know the limit for small
> claims in Scotland is only ï¿½750. This has meant
> many claimants have split their claims in to two or
> three parts in order to avoid Ordinary Cause. Now
> Stirling and Edinburgh courts have refused to accept
> second claims on the same accounts....therefore we
> are now recommending any claimant with a claim over
> ï¿½750, including the statutory interest element,
> complains to the Financial Ombudsman Service as an
> alternative to using the courts system.
> 
>  
> ; CAG Meet in Mansfield
> 
> Fancy meeting up with some of the new friends you
> have made on the Consumer Action Group ? There's a
> CAG Party to be held on April 21st in Mansfield,
> Nottinghamshire...
> 
> Everyone's welcome, the more the merrier
> 
> View forum discussion
> 
> Donations...
> .......... PLEASE help us!
> 
> 
> The Consumer Action Group is a free site. You are
> not charged for the help you receive here.
> 
> There are running costs and we appreciate donations.
> We don't know why but hardly anyone is donating.
> Every day we receive notification of thousands of
> pounds of settlements. people receive money they
> never thought they would see again.
> 
> People weren't too bothered when the banks were
> taking their money hand over fist but now that they
> have got it back, they suddenly become very careful
> and don't even want to contribute even a little of
> it to the site which made it possible.
> 
> We are not getting rich. We would just like to
> recover our expenses and expand a little.Please
> donate whatever you can, every penny really does
> help us! It does not matter how big or how small
> your donation is!
> 
> Please help us to help others!
> 
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