Angus - I'm on FPC as FPvictim. Hotmail has blocked your address - how do i get in touch?

Just checked hotmail and no blockage..

Just post a message on FPC and I wil respond.

Just thought i'd bump this following yesterday's despicable rate rise.

There's a lot of useful info on this thread. If you haven't complained yet please do so. First to Barclays FirstPlus (always use their full title as many feel that these are are a back street bank - they are part of Barclays, a supposed reputable bank if there is such a word. Then to the Financial Ombudsman and the Office of Fair Trading.

The OFT guidance of transparancy is quite clear

OFT Guidance on Secured Lending

3.6 There should be transparency about the circumstances in which rates or charges may change, in particular where they may be varied at the discretion of the lender or by reference to some particular factor, for instance as a result of an increase in the lender's input costs. If rates are stated to be variable but do not vary in line with Bank of England base rate, this should be made clear, and if a particular rate is tracked, this rate should be stated.

4.4 If rates or charges are variable, this should be made clear. The potential implications of such variations should be explained, including the impact on the periodic instalments and / or the amount payable. Rates should only be increased on a loan to recover genuine increases in costs which have an effect on that loan and should not be misused, for example, to take advantage of a borrower's lack of ability to end the agreement. Clear explanations should be given to borrowers prior to rates or charges changing.

Oh and as always, remember there's the dedicated site for customers - Search / Google FirstPlusComplaints.

OK - I have had enough of reading all the information and peoples issues and decided I (as a Barclays FirstPlus customer) wish to get off my backside and take action and complain to the Financial Ombudsman and the Office of Fair Trading. My only issue at the moment is I don't know where to start in terms of writing letters, are there any 'standard' letters around that I could use, so I then ensure to quote the exact financial wording etc....

Julie.. yes this is a major problem and most people just tend to leave it to others to fight. Glad you are on board and ready. Goto google and search for "Firstplus Complaints"

you will find a website dedicated to the fight against firstplus, where you will also get help with letters and join in the ever growing community network of Firstplus Fighters.

Hi

Thanks to this site and lots of advice, we wrote last March to Barclays. They dismissed our claim completely regarding the PPI. I stuck with it, they then offered us a ridiculous amount as a goodwill payment, but still with the interest on the PPI to pay to the end of the loan. I took this to the Ombudsman who have now told me that Barclays have agreed the policy was mis-sold. They are repaying all I have paid plus 8% and re-writing the loan. We have still to recieve this, apparently there is a back-log!! It has taken six months but stick with it, it will be well worth it in the end.

That is excellent news upacreek.

Perseverance paid off by the sounds of it.

regards