Reclaiming packaged bank account charges - use a company or not?

[flimp]

I got cold called by a company about reclaiming packaged bank account fees. I'd seen mention of it on here so despite my intense irritation at their sales patter, I let them talk me through the questions etc because I was interested in whether they thought I had a claim.

I wasn't sure because I can't remember a lot of the details like when we opened the account etc but they've now sent out the forms for me to sign so they seem to think I have a case.

But would I be better to avoid using a company and try and do it myself? Any thoughts? I need to decide tonight whether to proceed with this company who will take 30% of any award...

It's an account we opened about 15+ years ago so I'm very sketchy on what the sales pitch was at the time. I only later realised we had travel insurance with it and apparently roadside recovery? We've had AA membership the whole time and bought separate travel insurance.

I used resolver, they were recommended on here, sadly I didn't get anymore back, was a painless process. Nothing ventured nothing gained

didn't get any money back

Apparently it is easy and painless to do it yourself. I would check out the Martin Lewis website thingy. No point giving away money if you don't need to.

I just wrote to the bank using the Martin Lewis template. They phoned me and said I wouldn't get it. Then five minutes later I got another phone call saying that I would - the guy was really nice. I got about £2,000.

No - go via the Financial Ombudsman, which is free. Claims companies have no idea whether you 'have a case' - they just take a scattergun approach. You don't gain anything by using a 3rd party.

ah OK, thank you

have any of you been successful despite being unsure of how you originally came by the account?

I can't remember opening the account, but I know we never wanted or used the benefits.

They do go through the benefits and look at whether or not you used them. Eg apparently my bank gave free AA coverage, but I didn't know that and was paying for the AA each month.

You only go to the Ombudsman when the bank has refused you - it's not a first port of call.

I have had loads back on various accounts, I just used the links all banks have on their homepages (PPI complaints form)

Claim companies do nothing you can't do yourself, they have no special info, they take a cut for the price of a stamp or phone call basically and have no special powers.

Financial Ombudsman is for the last resort, I've used them before and had a complaint upheld after being turned down by a financial company.

My packaged account was mis-sold to me, I was told it was needed to obtain an overdraft facility (blatant lie) and the benefits were useless to me (had no car, no mobile phone at the time)

There is absolutely no reason to use a claims firm, it doesn't even save time as you still have to provide them with the same details.