Bank Charges - illegal?

marymurdin

joannemc3 wrote:

hello all ,

I sent a letter on the 20th jan 2006 to my local branch (hsbc) requesting a summary of the charges over the last 6 years under the data protection act ect, still havent heard anything ,how long do they get to reply ??? and should i ring to check that they have recieved my letter

regards
jo

Hi Jo,

I rang HSBC on the normal customer services number and after being put on hold a few times managed to order 6 years of bank statements for 3 accounts for £10. They didn't quibble once I was through to someone sensible!! Try giving them a ring. There is a department that provides this service (with no aggro!)

mary

Tim_L

So they don't make a lot of money, but they do? Hmm!

You're misunderstanding what I said.

There's nothing to prevent banks making a lot of money even when under severe competitive pressure *for customers*. There is a great deal of competition for customers of current accounts, hundreds of pounds is available in inducements, and there are some amazing interest rates available.

The reason for this is that most people don't change their current accounts very often, and they can be used as a gateway for selling other poor value services They also provide masses of money which can be used by the banks for other purposes, including generation of profit through loans and so on.

There is zero possibility in this situation of losing free banking, unless you're foolish enough to sign up for a "premium" service. This was the argument I was reacting to, that we must accept that banks take money from people in marginal difficulties so the rest of us can have free banking.

I agree with many of the other points, but clearly the banks do have a duty to their shareholders to arrange their business affairs such that they achieve growth. I don't quite subscribe to the all banks are evil idea, but these charges are regressive and immoral.

studentindebt

Ok now they are just taking the !!!!!!!!

They totally try to charge people on purpose!

My overdraft limit is £1550. I have checked my internet banking today and this caught my eye -

24 January 2006 Cheque 300052. £15.00 -£1532.30

24 January 2006 Returned Cheque 300052. £15.00 -£1517.30

I was within my limit! I have made a complaint and requested any charge not to be applied as it was clearly the banks fault.

This just adds to be case against them grrr.

us,thecat&thedebt

hi
thanks for the advice

can i email them through internet banking or does it have to be a postal letter

also has anyone got a template letter for me to use

thank you

while i wait im gonna flick through statements and c how much i have paid in charges....

us,thecat&thedebt

ok so ive looked through joint account statements since it was opened in feb 2005...
so here goes... £535 of charges!!!!!

my sole account £285 worth of charges

now to lok at partners statements..

do i really stand a chance of getting this money back
as it would clear the o/d and save me £16 per month in intrest....

MPH80

studentindebt wrote:

Ok now they are just taking the !!!!!!!!

They totally try to charge people on purpose!

My overdraft limit is £1550. I have checked my internet banking today and this caught my eye -

24 January 2006 Cheque 300052. £15.00 -£1532.30

24 January 2006 Returned Cheque 300052. £15.00 -£1517.30

I was within my limit! I have made a complaint and requested any charge not to be applied as it was clearly the banks fault.

This just adds to be case against them grrr.

Out of interest - what was the available balance on that day?

M.

studentindebt

MPH80 wrote:

Out of interest - what was the available balance on that day?

M.

I dunno cos I didn't sign on that day. But yeah they deduct it from the available balance but is that not what shows on the full statement when it is a week after?

MPH80

But yeah they deduct it from the available balance but is that not what shows on the full statement when it is a week after?

Not necessarily at all!

When I deposit a cheque it shows as depositing on date x ... it won't clear until date y.

So my eventual statement would show a balance of £x extra for a few days even though the cheque hadn't cleared for that period.

M.

Pere_Ubu

Stubbarama wrote:

I received my response letter from the Nationwide this morning, merely stating if I told them what charges I was on about they would look into it.

As I had used the template letter on Bank Action Group so I thought it was very clear and to the point, I rang them and despite not geting the person who originaly sent the letter, spoke to a young girl who was more than aware of the situation and fobbed me off with the " You have to ask the branch for them " as I pointed out to her my original letter was addressed to the branch and why should I have to do it again ? She became very anoid and cited that she was going over the same thing again and again, well if I dont get a suitable answer Im going too !!

I asked to speak to a supervisor/manager and was told they were all in a meeting, so I asked for her to get someone to call me when they were out. She put me on hold and then came back saying they were looking for my letter. Then came back saying that I had ask for a list of charges, not a list of statements. I was getting a bit hett up now and ponted out she was being a bit picky. but still she went on.

So finaly I said to get a manager to call me, when voila one appeared out of no where, and said she would call the branch for me, and get them to liaise with me. I told her that I wanted a list of charges and not a chat and she agreed.

Dont think this is going to be easy.

If anyone that is/as dealt with the Nationwide and gets a result could let me have there reference number, I would be most greatful. Likewise, if I get a result I will put up the ref number here and on Bank Action.

My husband and I got £90 back in our joint account and I got £60 back in my account. They did this within 7 days I was impressed especially as in the letter the manager said I know how you must feel. Will quote this back to her if we get any more charges!

Pere_Ubu

dchurch24 wrote:

Take them to the small claims court.

If he can, I suggest he pay off the 200 quid, and sue for recovery of the charges.

Their solicitors should be clued up enough to know that they would not be able to enforce a debt that is in dispute legally.

My husband and I are in court end of Feb to fight a charging order. It was adjourned from last Dec because the other side hadn't quite complied with legal requiremetns. Anyway...I have since read these postings and realise that part of the debt that they wish to get a charging order for consists of charges. We have written to them stating this. We will go to court in Feb do will explain to the judge that the debt (the total amount) is in dispute due to the charges being applied?
The other question I have is our car is on HP we have approx. 5 charges since taking out the HP (2 years ago) each charge cost us £75!!! Can we claim these back under a HP agreement?