Under 18 Natwest Adapt Account

cozwin

OK, got home today to be greeted by a very annoying letter from Natwest.

Letter told me they had tried to charge my for my direct debit for a magazine and failed due to lack of funds... due to this they were going to charge me an Unpaid Item Fee.

So i checked my bank and from the looks of things they have took about 30 pound off me for a 10 pound failed debt, main problem the fact i had no overdraft.

Ive heard from some people that it is illegal to be charged especially if under 18.

Can anyone please fill me in with appropriate information so i can kick Natwest where it hurts when i go in.

natweststaffmember

cozwin wrote: »

OK, got home today to be greeted by a very annoying letter from Natwest.

Letter told me they had tried to charge my for my direct debit for a magazine and failed due to lack of funds... due to this they were going to charge me an Unpaid Item Fee.

So i checked my bank and from the looks of things they have took about 30 pound off me for a 10 pound failed debt, main problem the fact i had no overdraft.

Ive heard from some people that it is illegal to be charged especially if under 18.

Can anyone please fill me in with appropriate information so i can kick Natwest where it hurts when i go in.

You don't have to kick them where it hurts. Just walk into the bank and say that you are under 18 and you have been charged and that you are aware that all banks cannot make charges on an account until you are 18. If they say NO, post again and I will have the gun ready to fire away with some terms and conditions stuff on top

cozwin

ok went in and asked about it said i knew it was illegal and they are sending it off... got to wait till head office reply in 48 hours.

natweststaffmember

cozwin wrote: »

ok went in and asked about it said i knew it was illegal and they are sending it off... got to wait till head office reply in 48 hours.

Its not illegal but it could be suggested it was unlawful. All refunds go through regional refunds teams.

cozwin

Ok, got a call this morning im going to get 19 pound back if i cancel the direct debit... because im not allowed direct debits (not mentioned to me) they expect me to read all the terms and conditions at 16?

and that was a "good will gesture" haha yer right.

Also failed to mention the maintanence charge i will get on 31st december (just read in my terms and conditions book)

I am pretty ticked off if im honest as i live off of my week to week 30 pound ema supplements so to lose 19 pound and possibly more in december really really isnt going to help especially around christmas time when i need to buy presents.

natweststaffmember

cozwin wrote: »

Ok, got a call this morning im going to get 19 pound back if i cancel the direct debit... because im not allowed direct debits (not mentioned to me) they expect me to read all the terms and conditions at 16?

and that was a "good will gesture" haha yer right.

Also failed to mention the maintanence charge i will get on 31st december (just read in my terms and conditions book)

I am pretty ticked off if im honest as i live off of my week to week 30 pound ema supplements so to lose 19 pound and possibly more in december really really isnt going to help especially around christmas time when i need to buy presents.

That is utter BS on the banks part. Tell them that they will refund you all the money. The terms that are specific to the bank state that "standing Orders and Direct Debits are not permitted on the account". If they are not permitted then why are they allowed on the account. They have the ability to prevent Direct Debits and Standing Orders on the account and fail in their duty of care to do so. The debt is UNENFORCEABLE in law. Ask them to put in writing that you are allowed credit when you are under 18 years of age. You must go back to them and tell them that they have a duty to refund all of it. If they do not then you will take this further because the bank is breaching its own terms and conditions by allowing you to put DD's and Standing Orders on your account. How is that Treating Customers Fairly? Total CRAP. Do not accept it and ask for written reasons why they are not refunding the full amount.

natweststaffmember

cozwin wrote: »

Ok, got a call this morning im going to get 19 pound back if i cancel the direct debit... because im not allowed direct debits (not mentioned to me) they expect me to read all the terms and conditions at 16?

and that was a "good will gesture" haha yer right.

Also failed to mention the maintanence charge i will get on 31st december (just read in my terms and conditions book) You are wrong on that point as an Adapt Account is exempt

I am pretty ticked off if im honest as i live off of my week to week 30 pound ema supplements so to lose 19 pound and possibly more in december really really isnt going to help especially around christmas time when i need to buy presents.

Just missed a bit of your post as the bank BS got right on my tits

cozwin

If i go in monday (next time i can get in) and well showed them this forum section (print it out) are they likely to refund me all? as the information desk woman was quite reluctant to answer any questions and always wants to forward me onto the refund team at head office

thing is 19 pound to them im sure seems like pennies but to me thats money i need.

I am actually considering opening a account with somone else over this issue, and other problems, i.e. non working online banking that they cant fix for me.

also she was really pressuring me which i found as bad customer service she was making it sound like it was my fault and kept repearing not a bank fault which was slightly bullying if im honest.

natweststaffmember

No branch will be able to refund any charges without authorisation. Ask them for the contact details of Customer Relations Unit. Write to them because they will refund the charge IN full. It's not the banks fault for the charge being made per se, but it is the banks' fault that they do not PREVENT something which according to the terms and conditions is NOT PERMITTED.
My understanding is that you can use online banking at 16 and the branch can set you up as well.
Your example, is clear that NatWest do not appear to treat younger customers fairly. It is bizarre that it is only NatWest where this problem seems to arise. Pity.