Help I think I am going to cry :-(

Achelois_2

I gave someone a cheque for £108 and they banked it on the 20th December. I put £200 in my account on that day to cover the cheque. Or at least I thought I did. I put the ******** money in the wrong account. Cheque was debited on 24th December. They sent me a letter today. I realised the money had been debited from the wrong account on the 29th and transferred the money to cover the "unplanned overdraft". I have just rung them and they have told me they are charging me £115 for having this unplanned facility for 5 days (20 a day) and 15 as a deafult charge. I am SO devestated by this. I am TRYING to pay all my bills and it seems they just want me to go under. Any advice gratefully received. What a great start to 2009 _pale_

Achelois_2

Anyone... please :-(

happylife

Sorry to hear about your mistake.. Think this has happened to me on a few occasions.. but never been charged this much..

Was it the same Bank (different account) or different banks you paid the cheque to ?

£115 is a bit steep..:mad:

Probably not a lot you can do now until the new year, So enjoy tonight,, In the past when they have noticed the mistake they have let me off,,

Obviously with the threat of I will leave the bank if I have to pay this mistake,,,

I sincerely hope you can get this reversed,, You will need to speak to someone at your branch,,

Achelois_2

Thanks for your reply. The bank was lloyds. I have two accounts with them - one business and one personal. I thought I had written the cheque from my personal account but I obviously hadnt. I just cant believe they are charging me even on the days I couldnt have paid the money in even if I had wanted to i.e. xmas day, boxing day etc!!! What a bunch! Thanks for your kind words. x

happylife

I reckon you can get this reversed,, You definitely need to go to your branch and show genuine reasons of the mistake.. Waste of time ringing anyone..

It has happened to me and they usually will let you off if

1. it's your first time.

2. You can show the payment was made in mistake.

3. You threaten to leave if it is not in your favour (after they refuse to budge)

I hope you get this sorted,,, Have a nice new year..

Fire_Fox

You should try to claim the charges back. It is not reasonable to charge you £115 for a negative balance of £108 (or less??) for five days, especially when that takes in bank holidays. Also point out that the post is always delayed over Christmas - you have done well to receive the letter so quickly.

I would write rather than speak to them on the telephone as you can put a case quite clearly and avoid emotion. Hopefully someone will come along who can suggest a good template letter. You should not need to threaten to leave - you have to accept that you made a mistake, but the charges are totally out of proportion to the minor error.

halight

Hi,

I bank with lloyds too i have a couple accounts with them. In the past when i have made a mistake i have spoken to them and told them what has happend and iv been let off or once thay reduced the amount that i had to pay.
I also know that lloyds will charge you and not refund any of the money if you go overdrawn a lot. Thay have done this to a friend of mine.

As soon as the bank opens in the new year you need to go to your branch and ask to see some one. Tell them that you really can not aford to pay this charge! really stress this!!!!! Tell them it was a mistake
Under some comsumer rules banks have to help you/ give you a bit of brething space
If thay really will not let the charge go then ask if you can pay some of it now and some of it next month.

Good luck with this

And i hope that 2009 brings somthing better for you.

All the best

Achelois_2

Thanks everyone. I accept it was my mistake and I can see the £15 unauthorised borrowing fee but the additional £100 is, in my book, so unjustified. The only charges I have had (from what I can see online) in the past, have been the standard overdraft interest and standard account charges...

Thanks again and I do hope you all have a happy new year too. x

happylife

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You should try to claim the charges back.

After all else fails... Nothing better than first a face to face chat with your Branch Advisor/Manager. Usually works...

whitewing

When you go and see them, it would be worth requesting that they set up internet banking access as well. I find it very handy. You would notice mistakes like this quicker, and it would also show that you are committed to not making the same mistake in future.