Dear Claudienne

Sometime in 2008 I got a Scotia Plan loan from the Cross Roads branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia. I had problems repaying it so I approached my credit union (the Police Cooperative Credit Union) for a loan to pay off the total amount owed.

When Scotia learned that I had requested the credit union to pay off the loan they offerred to refinance it. However, I refused the offer.

The credit union instructed me to get a letter from Scotia stating the amount owed.

Scotia then gave me a letter that stated as follows:

“We advise the amount to settle as at February 21, 2011

Loan principal balance $1,122,805.62,

Per diem interest $634,6158.

Payout figure $1,277,719.90

“We trust that this information will adequately suffice, but should you require additional information please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.”

The credit union on receiving the letter with this information instructed me to get another letter from Scotia giving them permission to discharge the Scotia lien on the title thereby allowing the credit union to become the second mortgagee on the title.

After the Police Cooperative credit union prepared the payout cheque I got a call from Scotia instructing me to lodge an additional $3,000 to my savings account, which I did.

After I took the payout cheque to Scotia sometime in March, the bank called three days later saying that I was still owing $3,000 on the loan. When I asked what the $3,000 was for they said they had overlooked $3,000 that I owed on the loan. When I asked how I could ensure that I would not be again informed that I still owed them money, Scotia said that the $3,000 was the final amount owed and that the payout amount stated in the letter was incorrect.

I think I should be refunded the additional $6,000 that I paid. I would also like a statement from Scotia itemising all the loan payments that I made.

Could you please take up the matter with Scotia for me.

MGS

Dear MGS

We spoke with BNS and they promised to investigate. The bank told Tell Claudienne that on completing the investigation a decision was taken to refund the $6,000 and provide you with a statement of account. We see that a BNS manager has contacted you and that the matter has been settled amicably.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

On April 15 I watched a programme on a local television station that said that the retirement age for men and women was 65 years and 60 years respectively. However, does the Ministry of Education have a different policy?

I have been employed to a technical high school since September 2004 as an artisan. I am 61 years old. On December 13, 2010 I was informed that I would be retired on April 30, 2011. I spoke to the board and asked for an extension and the date of retirement was changed to August 31, 2011.

Could you kindly check with the Ministry of Education for me.

LG

Dear LG

The Ministry of Education has advised Tell Claudienne that the retirement age for your category is 60. The ministry said that the date can be extended for up to one year provided the school board approves the extension. The school board must inform the regional office of the Ministry of Education of its decision.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company? Telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.