PANIC! Bank account wiped out by council ****-up! UPDATE: Resolved :)

[bazzanoid]

ARGH I'm in so much trouble now it's untrue!!!!!

We're due to go to WDW on October 1st, and I've checked my bank today (readying to change currencies) to find that my council has wiped out the £7k that was in there for myself and DW for costs, spending, EVERYTHING for florida - it's a direct debit ****-up for council tax, and although the bank are being very supportive, they have said they need the proof from the council that it's wrong etc etc. Spoken to citizen advice for the legal standpoints and so on.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, even if the council and the bank move at their fastest, we have no money at all for WDW as they wouldn't get it back into my account until well after we go, maybe not till our return!! I couldn't even afford to buy food as they've taken everything apart from about £50!!!!!!!

I can't make them move any faster, so what the heck am i supposed to do for the missing money?????? I can't take out a loan as my credit history has been less than desirable and still isn't repaired enough to get one, otherwise i would get one with no early payment penalty and pay it back on our return.....

ARGGHHhh!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111

 

[Cochise]

I would refuse to leave the council offices until they sorted it. Take a tent and a stove to prove you aint messing. Go to the local papers, the angle that a family cant take their children to Disney cause of this would make front page in a local rag. Go on the offensive and take no prisoners.

 

[CharleyUK]

OMG- I hope you can sort this ASAP. Can you get a solicitor involved or even that banking ombudsman, i'd even speak to your local councilor and MP. This just isn't acceptable.

 

[jns]

sorry no advice to send , but I think you need lots of and

hope you get this sorted out quickly

 

[carolfoy]

I would refuse to leave the council offices until they sorted it. Take a tent and a stove to prove you aint messing. Go to the local papers, the angle that a family cant take their children to Disney cause of this would make front page in a local rag. Go on the offensive and take no prisoners.

I totally agree, make sure you take a local reporters name (and their agreement) that this sory will run until you get your money back, its appalling - if they can take it out by DD they can put it back by DD, its that simple!

 

[Joanne UK]

If the Council agree that they have taken the money incorrectly they could have the money back in your account on the same day. It's called a CHAPS payment.

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

OK PLAN OF ACTION !!!


Ring the press, rub your eyes till the hurt, go to the council offices and refuse to budge !!! ring the press and tell them you not moving until a cheque is issued !!!


Believe me it will work, even better take the kids and make them cry

Whats the council number i'll ring them and say i'm the press

 

[wilma-bride]

don't see why, if the council have accepted they've made a mistake, they will take more than 3 weeks to get the money back into your account.

The way I see it, you have over 2 weeks till you go. Speak to someone at the council, ask them to issue you a cheque TODAY and get down the bank and pay it in TODAY. It will have cleared by Wednesday at the latest - problem solved.

I would also ask them for interest for every day the money is missing from your account (however, you can worry about getting that AFTER you have got the £7K back)

 

[wils]

Unbelievable!

Hope you can get it sorted

Was it a direct debit payment?

If so:

Your rights

The Direct Debit Scheme protects you and your money by means of the Direct Debit Guarantee.



This Guarantee is operated by all banks and building societies that take part in the Direct Debit Scheme. The efficiency and security of the Scheme is monitored and protected by your own bank or building society.



The Guarantee
If the amounts to be paid by Direct Debit or the payment dates change, the organisation collecting the payment will notify you normally 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed.

If an error is made by the organisation or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid.


If any payment is made in error, you should contact your bank or building society who are responsible for giving you a full and immediate refund - even if the original error was made by the organisation collecting the payment.

Direct Debit is one of the safest ways of paying your bills. Fraud rarely occurs because organisations using the Direct Debit Scheme go through a careful vetting process before they're authorised, and are closely monitored by the banking industry. But if money were to be taken from your account fraudulently you'd be protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee, and would be entitled to an immediate refund from your bank or building society.

Don't forget, you can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by contacting your bank or building society. We also recommend you notify the organisation concerned.

 

[mandymouse]

OMG ~ I hope you manage it get it sorted soon

 

[arieljasmine]

This is terrible, I really hope you can get it sorted out, I can't believe they won't give you the money back immediately. and for a quick solution.

ArielJasmine

 

[Boss Hogg]

Jo is quite correct, you can claim under the Direct Debit Indemnity scheme. The bank basically gives you your money straight away and they then claim back from the beneficiary. It is a cut and dried issue, I can only assume that whoever you spoke to at the bank doesn't know what they are talking about.

 

[Minniespal]

Hope you get it sorted out

 

[highlander447]

If its a direct debit as said before legally the bank must refund asap

 

[natalielongstaff]

sounds v likely you will get this sorted from what others have said, hope its soon resolved

 

[bazzanoid]

Done and sorted. Probably me panicking too much, really....

The bank manager caught wind of the counter agent's bad info (can't think how ) and has just called me - he's reversed the DD instruction now so the money will be back in my account later today / first thing in the AM with the overnight processing cycle....

Thanks all for the kind words and advice everyone! I can breath again now

 

[wils]

Great news and what a relief!

 

[Netty]

Done and sorted. Probably me panicking too much, really....

The bank manager caught wind of the counter agent's bad info (can't think how ) and has just called me - he's reversed the DD instruction now so the money will be back in my account later today / first thing in the AM with the overnight processing cycle....

Thanks all for the kind words and advice everyone! I can breath again now

Thank god for that! now you can concentrate on your hols!!

 

[Cinderella@CK]

Phew! Glad you got it sorted out.

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent news ~ Glad you got a speedy resolution

Now get it out of your account and into dollars before anything else happens to it