Has anyone heard of this company. They cold called me on my mobile phone number last week offering to send me information to reclaim charges back from my bank.

The pack cost £29.99 and not thinking this through I gave my debit card details and awaited for said pack to arrive. The lady I spoke to says that they have a legal dept who can deal with the matter for me if I signed for platinum service. ( Apparently this means that they will keep 15% of compensation given by banks in return for their services.)

As promised the pack has arrived, all of the information pack quotes a phone 0800 612 2175 to contact them on with questions THIS DOES NOT RING OUT ANYWHERE FROM MY LANDLINE AND WHEN CALLING FROM MY MOBILE DOES NOT ACCEPT INCOMING CALLS . The information pack directs me to their website with a subscription id and a password. A pop up on my computer tells me the security certificate has expired and entering the id no and password does absolutely nothing. I had a landline number for this `co' which I have lost - when I rang them Friday they said there were probs with the website and phone line and urged me to post the forms. Understandably I have not done this as don't feel comfortable about sending my details to people without knowing they are genuine

Can you tell me anything positive about these people?

Have you tried googling them?

It sounds like you could have been had. I do hope not.

Cat

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I did a google for the phone number, and it referred me back to this forum, but obviously an old post as the one it opened was on another subject.

Therefore someone out there in this forum has had dealings with them and should be able to advise.

Dave

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Dave

P.S. I feel obliged to point out, I am speaking from experience and my own personal views above - I am not an advisor, nor an expert.

i've just googled and found there website ok. seems to be working fine so try again. couple of details from the web site:

Banking Advice Bureau
The Banking Advice Bureau was established to help those affected by the excessive, unfair, illegal charges made by English banks.

Our head office is based in Blackpool, and all our call centres are located within the UK - at no point will you have to deal with anyone based outside the UK.

Head Office

PO Box 1209
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY1 9BP

Tel: 0800 612 2175


so if all else fails at least you have a postal address. only a mater of time til a company got on the band wagon for fighting bank charges. trying to do this myself too. just on my own. suppose if you dont have the time, and this company is authentic, they may be worth your while in the end. although they look VERY new, there names only copyrighted 2007, so probebly going to have a few teething problems.

Good luck

yes thanks for replying, they can be googled that how I double checked the site but the links on the site definately do not work currently and neither does the phone no. You could be right!!!!!!!

ah yeah, had not tried the links, seems the only one that wants to work properly is the apply one. looking at the site, it just looks like a new company starting up and currently in developement. trying to run before they can walk. Keep trying the number, and send a letter to the address above in the mean time.

Once again good luck

Thanks for your reply, have finally managed to get hold of them, the free phone is working, the lady I spoke to said that they are a new company , the phone line had been down for a week so I now have a direct phone line for them too which is 01253 757060. The web page is still not working but apparently they should have a new one by next week.

Will keep you posted about my progress if you are interested? Just find dealing with bank directly so stressful !

Great. Well thats a relief for you.
By all means please do keep me posted. be interesting to know how you get on.

Said it twice and say it a third time. Good luck

Hi there,

I've just received exactly the same call on my mobile.

Firstly, I was taken aback by the cheek of the company calling out of the blue on my mobile and wanting to discuss my personal finance - my first reaction was: none of your business! I guess I'm used to not being cold-called.

I know that other users of this site have recommended this company, but it's a complete scam - you can reclaim your bank charges FOR FREE - read on:

Credit charges over £12 were ruled to be excessive and unfair by the Office of Fair Trading (who are the people who dish out consumer credit licenses, and your bank wouldn't be able to trade without one of these) back in April 06. Since then, all credit card providers have pledged to reduce charges to £12.

What happens is that banks charge you on the basis of you having breached your terms and conditions i.e. gone over your agreed overdraft limit or defaulted on repayments. They are entitled to charge you the costs incurred by them. However, this certainly doesn't amount to £30-£50 - and the OFT has seen right through this.

They stated in a press release in Sep 06 that they considered the same principles applied to credit card charges to apply to all bank products ie bank charges to be included - tho have not made this explicit - hence the banks continuing to charge people and try and get away with it. It's a huge profit-making device.

There is an argument that these charges are, in fact, TOTALLY ILLEGAL. Many consumer rights groups support this view and provide you with help FOR FREE. Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau for help to a) reclaim the bank charges that have been creamed off your account and b) to seek help about this dubious company.

ALSO - report the banking advice bureau to either a) your local Trading Standards or b) the OFT or c) a consumer rights org like Which? magazine - Do Your Bit and help others avoid the experience you've had.

All the best! em

Great post, Em.

Cat

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Thanks for your reply, I have already contacted Trading Standards as you suggested. Can't believe I disclosed my personal details over the phone, I think I was taken aback really and rushing around in my lunch hour. i am TPS registered and normally tell people to clear off if they ring and start asking me for personal information. Definately getting looked into further !!! I currently have a repayment arrangement with my old bank for an overdraft and loan, the repayments were crippling mean and run up due to bank charges, for instance last April I had £280 returned direct debits and £90 overdraft excess charges! My concern is that my bank will call in my loan account and overdraft and I have no means of repaying them other than my payment arrangement

I have bought a pack from this company and i am very glad to say i have got my bank charges back, all the staff we a wee bit shakey but as i found out they were just starting out but i have now got all my bank charges back and very happy with the service i have been given!!!!!!

Give this company a chance!!!!

That's great Stephen,glad you were satisfied.How much did you recover and how long was the process?

I think the other contributors were happy to give them a chance. Personally,I would be very suspicious of a cold call on a matter of personal finance and certainly wouldn't transact over a mobile phone.The problems faced now seem to be a lack of ability to even contact the company who have debit/credit card details.I would be very nervous.

Perhaps if you have dealt with this company you could supply some contact names and numbers to assist those people. I am sure they would be most grateful especially if you have inside knowledge.

I got back £2595.00 in the space of 8 or 9 weeks was quick and they took all the stress away from me, i have there contact number which is 01253 757060 which is the call centre i think i have been using there free phone number which is 0800 6122175 i had a letter from them which told me that there free phone number would be down for two weeks as they we currently expanding and putting new lines in to 'IMPROVE' the service. I have been dealing with a young lady called lisa, she has dealt with my claim from the start i would encourage people to go with this company as they give you the opition to do it your self or take there gold service where they do the all the claim.

I do have to stay as the weeks went on the staff seamed to be getting better i did comment on this to the manager and he told me that they had just started and they did have a few problems a first but they have now got on top of all the training, i would say the downfall to this company would be i would of liked them to get intouch more as all i knew they were doing it and the next thing was i had the money in the bank!!!!!

this company is ok in my books..........

Thank you Stephen, very helpful indeed.I am sure the Original poster will tell us if your lead helps him out.

Nice one!!