Bank Charges Reclaiming Guide discussion

Barbara_Lowing wrote: »

Experiencing my first ever overdraft fee with Ulster Bank - £20. I am guilty, but looking to get this corrected. I called the 0800 number I found on the Ulster customer service page - seems legit as I only needed to wait a few minutes but they denied helping me out. I claimed and was told £20 is standard on all overdrafts, and the agent said if it happens again, maybe they can consider a claim refund. They advised me to set up warnings via text or email to prevent this from happening again. The one time, literally, this has ever happened to me and I am not being given a benefit of the doubt. I am pretty livid. What do I do?

There is nothing to gain at being livid at yourself for your money management mistake. Instead, learn from the experience and do not make the mistake again.

Hi, I recently put a complaint to the bank about a packaged account. i am currently waiting on a final decision in regards to this...
I am also considering making a complaint to the bank about unfair over draft charges and other charges.
I have gone through all my statements and basically just added up all my charges over the last 7 years (when i opened account)
Below is a copy past from my calculator of my last 7 years charges


5 + 1.34 + 5 + 4.07 + 3.78 + 5 + 4.04 + 5 + 3.93 + 5 + 3.6 + 5 + 3.9 + 5 + 3.82 + 15 + 5 + 2.15 + 2.31 + 20 + 5 + 3.25 + 80 + 6 + 3.59 + 15 + 20 + 6 + 3.4 + 20 + 6 + 2.92 + 40 + 10 + 6 + 3.47 + 20 + 6 + 2.92 + 40 + 10 + 6 + 2.27 + 25 + 10 + 6 + 2.73 + 70 + 10 + 6 + 2.97 + 80 + 26 + 3.11 + 80 + 26 + 2.04 + 10 + 26 + 4.01 + 106 + 5.09 + 10 + 0.35 + 2.45 + 71 + 3.91 + 70 + 66 + 5.2 + 40 + 20 + 10 + 6 + 4.72 + 80 + 20 + 6 + 4.02 + 80 + 20 + 20 + 6 + 354 + 86 + 4.01 + 76 + 364 + 80 + 30 + 6 + 2.45 + 70 + 10 + 6 + 3.48 + 106 + 2.16 + 6 + 2.57 + 56 + 2.81 + 106 + 2.87 + 106 + 3.5 + 26 + 4.46 + 20 + 6 + 4.67 + 86 + 4.43 + 86 + 5.89 + 80 + 20 + 10 + 6 + 6.78 + 96 + 50.67 + 1.8 + 11 + 29.19 + 18.05 + 16 + 70.5 + 38.38 + 36 + 3.72 + 15 + 30 + 6 + 61.05 + 1.37 + 6 + 6 + 7.53 + 7.53 + 1.83 + 21 + 1.47 + 6 + 7.14 + 6 + 7.57 + 6 + 6.64 + 60 + 6 + 6 + 12.77 + 46 + 5.87 + 22.1 + 11 + 66 + 7.44 + 0.92 + 0.29 + 0.29 + 0.26 + 0.83 + 0.86 + 0.91 + 0.82 + 0.91 + 0.92 + 0.92 + 0.92 + 0.92 + 0.53 + 0.53 + 1.7 + 0.78 + 0.81 + 0.06 + 0.49 + 0.73 + 0.88 + 1.87 + 6 + 0.82 + 0.77 + 0.77 + 0.32 + 0.47 + 0.52 + 0.62 + 0.66 + 0.32 - 0.43 + 0.65 + 0.78 + 0.91 + 0.68 + 0.68 + 0.69 + 0.69 + 0.26 + 0.46 + 0.3 + 0.43 + 0.57 + 0.6 + 0.63 + 1.84 + 0.92 + 0.59 + 0.68 + 0.68 + 0.78 + 0.8 + 0.2 + 0.46 + 0.34 + 0.67 + 0.73 + 0.83 + 1.81 + 0.62 + 0.64 + 0.67 + 0.91 + 0.92 + 0.88 + 0.9 + 0.62 + 1.26 + 0.73 + 0.87 + 0.88 + 0.9 + 1.42 + 0.78 + 0.87 + 0.92 + 0.91 + 0.92 + 1.84 + 0.61 + 0.65 + 0.77 + 0.84 + 0.81 + 0.92
TOTAL £4214.77 (Around £50 a month when averaged out)

Im not sure if i would qualify to claim or not.
i have been in my overdraft for 78 out of the 84 months
i have been over planned over draft at least 48 times
it was often charges from previous months that would put me over my planned over draft limit causing charges.


I would also like to know if it would be better to wait to pursue a complaint until the Packaged account complaint is settled?
Any help or input would be greatly appreciated

Has any one had success who is in current financial hardship?

Yes they have.

We have rang to freeze interest and charges and have to call back in 60 days to talk about a repayment plan.

Do we stand a chance at trying to reclaim the charges?

Sounds like the bank is already on your case. Financial hardship cases have multiple options open to them. Refund of some of the recent charges is one option. However, suspending future charges and/or interest for a period or debt repayment plans are another. The latter sometimes involves some write off.

There is nothing that requires them to refund any charges. They just have to be seen to consider your scenario and help you get out of it. If they can do that without a refund of recent charges then that option may not be offered.

Anniee88 wrote: »

They know we can't afford to repay more than £1 a month so I guess it will be up to them if they want to reduce the amount owed or want to try and recover it

From what you say, it sounds as if you are way past the Financial Hardship stage and are actually heading for insolvency.
You might want to head over to the Bankruptcy Board for more informed help and advice about your situation.