Claim back any unfair bank charges! Article Discussion Area

webwiz

I don't think it's right that costs are never awarded in the SCC. Some years ago I lost a case and the other side asked for costs. I had a nasty minute or two whilst the judge considered the request. Luckily she decided not to award costs because I had only lost on a legal technicality and the other side had spent a lot of money on flying in a witness whose testimony she had discounted.

discodancer69

I believe on the article it says that you can only claim the money back if the charges ie £25 are larger than the amount of the payment you were trying to make ie £10! Am I correct in thinking that?

I only have an overdraft of £100 with HSBC (I have many other debts but this is something I've managed to keep down). HSBC have not only charged me £25 for an unpaid direct debit but have also charged me an overdraft fee of £50. This to me seems ridiculous as I'm being charged for the non payment but also for the fact that I've gone over my £100 limit in the first place. Also, I have then been charged £10 by my credit card company for late payment!

I have written to HSBC explaining that I'm working hard to pay off my debts but obviously this doesnt help me. Over the past three months I've had £125 taken off me in charges. They've said they're looking into it but haven't yet replied.

Do I have a case to get these amounts refunded before I go back at them guns blazing!?

Many thanks!

bookworm1363

smittenkitten wrote:

Hi

Do you send the letter to your local branch or the head office place

many thanks

smits
x

Up to you, but I send my to my local branch, I don't believe in doing all the legwork!

ML

bookworm1363

WhittyBo wrote:

I'm currently in the process of switching my current account from one bank to another due to the fact that I have been charged a few times for going over my overdraft limit (my fault, I know). If this is something I can look at recovering then I'll go for it.
Even though my charges have probably come to a relatively low amount (about £100 over the last few years) - is it still worth pursuing you think?

Judgement call, methinks.

Look at it this way: would you go in the bank today, get 100 quid and say: "here you are, good people, give it to your shareholders!"

Besides, they're more likely to cave in fast for small amounts than big ones. But as always, the decision is up to you.

melsuggett

Does this apply to overdraft charges too? I get charged £25 by HSBC everytime i go into my unauthroised overdraft (even by 1p!) for even 1 day - adding up to quite a bit everytime it happens! However, I have discovered that if I go over and stay there - I only get charged £25 once even if it is hundreds over!

Anyway, are these charges on overdrafts reclaimable?

Thanks

mel

bookworm1363

Benji wrote:

Does anyone know the likelyhood of your bank turning around and closing your account if you do this? I need my overdraft and there's no way I'd get one now if I opened up an account with another bank :-)

There's no telling. Some do, some don't. If you need your overdraft, would the refund on the charges cover the overdraft? They can't actually close your account if the amount owed is in dispute, they can once the dispute has been settled.

bookworm1363

carter2901 wrote:

Hi, I've always been quite successful in getting part repayments of any charges, does anyone know if this invalidates me for reclaiming the rest? Mainly missed minimum payments on credit card, where charges are stated in the T&Cs - are these still illegal?

Part repayments could be tricky, depends whether you signed something at the time accepting it was as "full and final settlement", I think.

Charges are stated in T&Cs of banks too. Remember, the term is unlawful, not illegal. So, in short, yes, credit cards too. Finance companies.

bookworm1363

jack79 wrote:

Great article!

Just got a couple of questions:

1. Does this apply to charges that are my fault, ie going over the agreed overdraft limit for no good reason?

2. Does it apply to 'administration charges' for letters issued by other companies? (I'm currently in dispute with the student loans company, who have sent me two letters about arrears at £7.50 a piece.)

Cheers.

1 - Yes. It's not a moral issue, it's a legal one. The charges are unlawful, regardless on whether it was to bury your granmother or to buy a Dr Who carboard cutout.

2 - Yes.

bookworm1363

Zyrax wrote:

Hi there! 1st time here!
Got a few questions

Does this still apply is the reason i was charged was my own fault?(overspending)
Is there a minimum you could claim for? Ive been charged for about 6/8 months.

Yes to first question, see my previous reply.
No to second question, although most people will first ask the bank nicely if it's only for 1 or 2 charges. Sometimes, the bank it says yes, sometimes the bank it says no... In your case, 6/8 months is likely to be more than what I would call a small amount.

bookworm1363

CharleneUK wrote:

I closed my barclay account 2 years ago because they charged me £30 for a direct debit (of £4.99) that came out earlier than expected.

Could I still try to get some back, even though the account is closed?

Yes. It doesn't matter if account is closed, in fact, this way they can't threaten you with closing it.