Reclaim Unfair Bank Charges article discussion Part II

Hopeful1 · 22 February 2009 at 9:36AM

purplebutterfly wrote: »

My bank account (Natwest) has been frozen and passed to a debt collection agency.

Basically, I am disabled and had to give up work so I have ended up surviving off minimal benefits. I'm not complaining but I was completely unable to keep up with bank charges of £38 for a returned S/O then £26 on top of that "maintenance fee" which took me overdrawn so add an extra £28 plus interest............etc etc etc

Over the past 3 years I managed to bounce back and forth between being overdrawn on my overdraft and living just inside the limit. Then it all went haywire somehow and I ended up with £500 of charges on a £1000 overdraft and because I couldn't pay them the £100 per month they wanted (I offered £20 which would have left me pretty destitute but they refused), it all got passed over to collections.

So, can I put in a claim for bank charges even if the account is no longer technically mine or active?

I'm planning on filing for bankruptcy on the advice of debt counsellors but that has to wait until I can save up for the legal fees.

They really are ruthless aren't they? I would say you are likely to qualify to reclaim via the hardship rules. As i always advise contact FOS, as they can guide you in the right direction. If you have a look on this site, somewhere there will be info about the hardship rules. I also suggest that you sign up to the consumer action group forum as they have lots of info. I remember reading something that forum about banks not being able to charges out of benefits.

Hopeful1 · 22 February 2009 at 9:41AM

Useful links, just click on them to be taken to the website:

National debtline - free, reputable service

Consumer Credit Counselling Service - free, reputable service

Citizens Advice Bureau

Financial Ombudsman Service

ThanxandGoodbye · 22 February 2009 at 10:55PM

rob3002 wrote: »

If everyone managed their accounts properly in the first place you wouldn't get charged, I have never incurred a bank charge in my life! No wonder the banks are in trouble, everyone is taking advantage.

Well said Rob3002 - don't you think you are being just a little bit smug here?
If the banks managed their affairs responsibly in the first place they would not have needed bailing out by us. I think they ought to keep in mind, as Gordon Brown said recently, that they are the 'servants' and we are the customers. Of course, everyone would like to stay in credit all the time, but you have been LUCKY or were rich enough to never need the Banks' so-called services. I bet you'd be among the first to cry foul and complain if you were ever charged. So in fact, you are taking advantage of the poor Banks by not ever being charged and allowing them to take your money without permission. However, since these charges are proven to be illegal and unfair, you have taken sides with the thieves. Do you work for a Bank, I wonder? If not, then you should apply now as there is always room for another sycophant.

'There but for fortune go you or I'

nova · 23 February 2009 at 10:42AM

ThanxandGoodbye wrote: »

Written to Lloyds TSB asking for six years statements using form letter template 19/02/2009. Also after HSBC, CapitalOne, credit cards and others to follow. Will keep you all updated how things pan out. Confident that I will win and prepared to go the full distance. Absolutely fed up with the arrogance and patronising attitude displayed by these proven thieves. For example, got a letter from HSBC after missing a payment, enclosing a leaflet entitled "Putting your finances in order and managing financial difficulties" Hahahahhah. I returned the leaflet explaining that I thought it would benefit them more than me as I have not lost £billions by mismanagment of my finances. In fact, my financial problems are entirely due to being robbed blind by them. So look out banks, we are on your case now.

Hi Thanx,
Welcome to our forum. Well said, l could'nt have put it better myself. Actually l was thinking this morning that if the court case goes in our favour, purely hypothetically, do you think we could sue the banks for gaining money by deception or theft after all if it proves that the charges are unlawful, then for all this time they've been fraudulantly been taking money fom our accounts, or does that sound stupid am l just having a blonde moment?!!!!
What do you think?
Nova X

vic4 · 23 February 2009 at 3:56PM

Hi this is my first time so sorry if im doing it all wrong. Just need some advice on my situation. Made a bad business venture and ended up in the creek without a helping paddle ie very close to bankruptcy. So situation is, a lot of debt and untold charges to several accounts i have. Contacted Churchwood Financial to consolidate my debts in March 08, all of which total to apprx £40k for which i am paying £240pm. I have a overdraft, a personal loan, and a credit card debt with Halifax. RBS are not too happy with either as i have cc, loan, and two od accounts with them. All of these debts are with the Churchwood scheme. What i'd like to know is am i in a position to claim back the charges the two banks have imposed on all these accounts over the past five years or am i just dreaming? Any response to my problem would be very appreciated.

Hopeful1 · 23 February 2009 at 6:40PM

vic4 wrote: »

Hi this is my first time so sorry if im doing it all wrong. Just need some advice on my situation. Made a bad business venture and ended up in the creek without a helping paddle ie very close to bankruptcy. So situation is, a lot of debt and untold charges to several accounts i have. Contacted Churchwood Financial to consolidate my debts in March 08, all of which total to apprx £40k for which i am paying £240pm. I have a overdraft, a personal loan, and a credit card debt with Halifax. RBS are not too happy with either as i have cc, loan, and two od accounts with them. All of these debts are with the Churchwood scheme. What i'd like to know is am i in a position to claim back the charges the two banks have imposed on all these accounts over the past five years or am i just dreaming? Any response to my problem would be very appreciated.

I can't remember if you can claim on business accounts? I suspect the answer is not. However, have a look around this site or as i always say, ring FOS! You can but ask. I've posted a link for FOS a few posts up.

moneymonkey35 · 23 February 2009 at 9:03PM

ThanxandGoodbye wrote: »

Well said Rob3002 - don't you think you are being just a little bit smug here?
If the banks managed their affairs responsibly in the first place they would not have needed bailing out by us. I think they ought to keep in mind, as Gordon Brown said recently, that they are the 'servants' and we are the customers. Of course, everyone would like to stay in credit all the time, but you have been LUCKY or were rich enough to never need the Banks' so-called services. I bet you'd be among the first to cry foul and complain if you were ever charged. So in fact, you are taking advantage of the poor Banks by not ever being charged and allowing them to take your money without permission. However, since these charges are proven to be illegal and unfair, you have taken sides with the thieves. Do you work for a Bank, I wonder? If not, then you should apply now as there is always room for another sycophant.

'There but for fortune go you or I'

Couldn't have put it better myself!

clanger69 · 23 February 2009 at 9:36PM

jennyo wrote: »

Bank Natwest
Amount reclaimed £3496
Amount paid £2652

I had all the statements going back six years, as it is a business account.
Sent a template letter on 22.01.09,
Received letter 5.2.09, to say they were looking into it and would take 6-7 weeks.
Received a letter 6.2.09 (the next day) with an offer of £2652, after considering it overnight, sent the acceptance form back the next day.
13.2.09 - checked my balance this evening and the money is in my account.
Big thanks to Martin and all on this website, reading others success stories made me reclaim, but I didn't expect a result so quickly, I didn't even realise until after sending in the claim business accounts are not covered by the court case.
Good Luck to you all

Hi

can you let me know if you claimed 'financial hardship' as i'm currently claiming and they've fobbed me of with the court case delay tactics?

Thanks

Numpty_Monkey · 24 February 2009 at 4:57AM

spammer cheapnike reported

jennyo · 24 February 2009 at 10:22AM

clanger69 wrote: »

Hi

can you let me know if you claimed 'financial hardship' as i'm currently claiming and they've fobbed me of with the court case delay tactics?

Thanks

No I didn't, but it is a business account, which is not covered by the court case, something i didn't realise until after I had sent off my first letter.
Good luck with your claim

Reclaim Unfair Bank Charges article discussion Part II

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