Charged for unpaid D/d when in credit

roy_harper

I've been given a charge of £38 by Natwest on an unpaid D/d for £5.50.
I was in credit balance and, even with the charge still remained in credit.
The same day they paid D/D to the same location.

The collections dept's letter states that if they THINK I might go into unauthorised overdraft they can make this charge. I've phoned and written to have this changed, but no reply yet - just a suggestion I upgrade my account - which they won't let me do.

This is just blatant theft is it not - I'm on income support and rely on it from one fortnight to the next.
I have a building society account that maybe I should ask the Govt to put benefit into instead, but that means no direct debit facility - which means charges to likes of Virginmedia for phone if not paid by d/d.

willo65

I have responded to your other thread regarding this but not sure which one you are gonna follow up so - did you have a cheque included in your balance that wasn't cleared?

Extant

roy_harper wrote: »

This is just blatant theft is it not - I'm on income support and rely on it from one fortnight to the next.

No.

Theft is the act of stealing, which in turn is the act of taking something without any permission or legal right to do so - when you open your account, you agreed to a set of terms and conditions. These charges are in said terms and conditions. As such, Natwest have both your permission and legal right to take these charges.

Paul_Herring

BarclaysManager wrote: »

No.

Theft is the act of stealing, which in turn is the act of taking something without any permission or legal right to do so - when you open your account, you agreed to a set of terms and conditions. These charges are in said terms and conditions. As such, Natwest have both your permission and legal right to take these charges.

While what you say is true, the OP (as stated) indicated an account that didn't actually go 'into the red,' but still incurred fees.

I doubt the verasicity of that, however if it is indeed accurate, it is indeed stealing.

ShelfStacker_3

It's a return fee. Banks charge for returning DDs. They always have done. Still not theft.

Extant

Paul_Herring wrote: »

While what you say is true, the OP (as stated) indicated an account that didn't actually go 'into the red,' but still incurred fees.

I doubt the verasicity of that, however if it is indeed accurate, it is indeed stealing.

The wording around "thinking" he might go over overdrawn is typically to cover bounced direct debits and will be based on actual entries etc.

simax

ShelfStacker wrote: »

It's a return fee. Banks charge for returning DDs. They always have done. Still not theft.

But why would they return his DD if he had enough moolah?

ShelfStacker_3

simax wrote: »

But why would they return his DD if he had enough moolah?

OK, I didn't see that bit. That is bloody weird.

willo65

Well OP still hasn't responded to my post so i will assume it was a cheque waiting to clear and therefore not cleared funds so DD bounced and fees taken correctly.

dzug1

Paul_Herring wrote: »

While what you say is true, the OP (as stated) indicated an account that didn't actually go 'into the red,' but still incurred fees.

I doubt the verasicity of that, however if it is indeed accurate, it is indeed stealing.

No it isn't - it's a mistake

Kavanne

What was your balance and how much was the DD? What else went out that day?