Claim back any unfair bank charges! Article Discussion Area

MrPolythene

Just remember - banks aren't humans, they are businesses, they won't retalite at you, to them you are just some numbers and words on a screen. I'm positive they can't take a 'You're not playing with MY ball' now attitude.

MrP

moonrakerz

owenp wrote:

There's one thing I find really worrying. My bank, Abbey, could close my account if I successfully claim back my charges.

I have just recovered nearly £1200 on behalf of someone else, in the letter that came with the refund cheque, the bank stated that they would be in contact to discuss "the future operation of your account". I have taken this to be a threat to close the account, so I wrote back saying that I hoped this future contact would be to discuss the application of LAWFUL charges to the account in future.
I don't really know the legal status of them trying to close an account like this. I have a post on another thread asking if anyone has got this far with a bank yet.
Again, this might be an idle threat which wouldn't stand up in court, if it ever got that far - we shall see !

kaznelson

Just received back £350 from Smile Bank for charges applied to my account.

Thats after sending only one letter!!

dchurch24

FYI: Abbey WILL close your account - no question of it. They can and they will - however, it does somewhat take the preverbial out of the OFT to do so, so a quick letter to them when they do close your account should keep them in their place.

Get a better account anyway - Abbey have gone downhill year on year since they converted to a bank.

Lysiss

Over the last 3 years I have been charged £1200. Mostly charges for going over my overdraft limit (£30 per transaction). I followed the directions on this website and sent the bank the two letters from the bankactiongroup. I am now ready to proceed with court action but have just recieved a letter from my bank saying that they do not agree with my claim.

The letter states that 'The contract between the bank and its customer is governed by HSBC's standard Terms and Conditions. In the respect of unauthorised overdrafts, the relevant clauses are 7.11 to 7.18. In these circumstances, there is a process that involves the Bank considering whether or not to pay the item. A fee is payable for this and the fees are as set out in the published price list'.

They also sent me a copy of the price list.

Is the bank correct in what it says or can I still claim for these unauthorised overdrafts???

Any advice would be appreciated

RACHIE77

Lysiss wrote:

Over the last 3 years I have been charged £1200. Mostly charges for going over my overdraft limit (£30 per transaction). I followed the directions on this website and sent the bank the two letters from the bankactiongroup. I am now ready to proceed with court action but have just recieved a letter from my bank saying that they do not agree with my claim.

The letter states that 'The contract between the bank and its customer is governed by HSBC's standard Terms and Conditions. In the respect of unauthorised overdrafts, the relevant clauses are 7.11 to 7.18. In these circumstances, there is a process that involves the Bank considering whether or not to pay the item. A fee is payable for this and the fees are as set out in the published price list'.

They also sent me a copy of the price list.

Is the bank correct in what it says or can I still claim for these unauthorised overdrafts???

Any advice would be appreciated

I am interested to hear any advice on this cos i am looking to send letters to HSBC for more than this amount.... I am a bit nervous but am going to do it anyway but would be interested to see what the thoughts are cos I am expecting the same sort of response.... :huh: would prefer not to tho

maforduk

If you all look on the https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk website, there is a section their about banks closing your accounts!
Look it up.

Ohhohoho

Hi just thought i'd let you know another success here.

First direct have repayed £590 in charges as a result of only sending the first letter.

They stated something along the lines off, we know we'd win in court, but the fees and time aren't worth it so heres your money!

Good luck to everyone else trying.

jet77

I originally put a thread on the main bit of this chatroom last night but didn't have any replies - maybe it's coz I put it in the wrong section - try again!!

I closed my account with Nat West in 2001 and chucked all the details out when I moved house last year. I miraculously found 2 pieces of ripped cheque with the account no. and sort code on (when I had contacted them before they told me that they were unable to do anything without my a/c no. and sort code) so I contacted them with my details. They told me that they wd post copy statements to my branch from my collection for a fee of £5 (haven't paid this yet) - this was three weeks ago and the statements have not arrived at the branch yet. I have now lost the two pieces of the cheque and can't find the doc. that I logged all the details on so no longer have a record of the account no. and sort code .

What do I do? Can I do anything?

indenial_2

Hi & well done to all those who have claimed their money back! Plus a big thanks for the tip in the first place!

I am just about to ask the Halfiax for the £447 they owe me, but have a question re the letter I send. The paragraph states:

"I calculate that you have taken £XXXX plus £XXX which you have charged me in overdraft interest for the sum which you have taken. Total £XXXXX"

Where it says overdraft interest, is this the 8% the spreadsheet works out for you?? Or should I have been adding up the interest debited from my account each month over the last 6 years??

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I want to get my letter off today and would hate to get it wrong and look stupid!

Many thanks!