Have you been left out of pocket due to poor service or sharp practice? Do you have a money problem that won't go away? ]

It can seem impossible to get a fair result when you are battling a large, faceless organisation alone. But never fear! The AOL Money Fixer is here to help.


This week, she battles a Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) claims company demanding a fee of more than £3,000.

Dear Fixer,
Last year, after a long wait, I received a payout for PPI that I had been mis-sold. In July 2010, I had asked a company called The Claims Guys to take on my case.

However, I have no evidence that it did anything to advance my case during the more than 14 months I waited for the payment, which ended up being for around £9,000.

In fact, it was only after taking on the case myself and agreeing to accept the offer made by the bank concerned that The Claims Guys got back in touch - with an invoice for £3,290!

The company then proceeded to chase this amount relentlessly, sending me constant e-mails and texts as well as calling me up to eight times a day with threats of legal action and bailiffs.

It is not that I refuse to pay, it is simply that I find this amount unreasonable for the services provided, especially as the company has not provided any evidence of any work undertaken despite numerous requests and I tried to cancel my contract with it twice before receiving my payment.

However, the constant threats and stress are starting to affect my health. Is there anything you can do to help?

S Haynes, Essex

Dear Miss Haynes,
The Claims Guys argues that the PPI mis-selling compensation you received was a consequence of the agreement you signed with it in July 2010. It also claims that you accepted that the fee for its services would be £3290.38.

The Claims Guys said: "Miss Haynes does not accept our final response and consequently believes that we should not chase for our fee until she is prepared to accept our response.

"This is not correct. Her complaint has not been upheld and her fee is due."

Following my intervention, however, the company has agreed to accept £1,000 in full and final settlement of the case - as long as this amount is paid immediately.

It is a shame that you took on the services of a PPI claims company of this kind, especially as - given the result of the High Court case on PPI - the banks found guilty of mis-selling are now having to pay out as a matter of course.

And it is, of course, up to you whether or not you choose to accept this offer. However, paying the £1,000 represents a reduction of £2,290 on the original amount claimed in payment and will prevent further harassment.

Otherwise, you may find that you are still fighting this case for a long time to come.

The Fixer

Whatever your financial problem, write to themoneyfixer@aim.com and The AOL Money Fixer will get on the case.