Barclays charging me twice?

oneoutofnone

Hi there, just looking for some clarification... I have a Barclays current account, with an overdraft. I'm on disability benefits so can not afford to just clear the overdraft and go elsewhere. I'm getting charged twice a month for having an overdraft, and I can't see how that is legal! They are charging me £6.50 a month as an 'ACCOUNT FEE ', and £4 a month 'INTEREST CHARGED'. They are effectively charging me for having an overdraft, and then charging me interest on it also. £10.50 a month out of my disability is a hell of a lot for being allowed to use a bank.. Is there anythign I can do about this?

dzug1

Have a look at their charges for an unauthorised overdraft before getting too up tight about it.

Quite normal, quite legal.

wilbobk

Hi there,

I used to have an account with Barclays that I paid £6.50 a month for, I think it was called First Additions, it's one of those accounts were you pay extra and get additional features (which I think included a £100 interest free overdraft). They can be good value but only if you're making the most of the features.

It sounds like you may have one of these accounts. If you want to save this £6.50, and aren't making use of the features then I'd recommend getting in touch with Barclays to discuss your account, to work out what account is best for you.

I hope that helps.

oneoutofnone

dzug1 wrote: »

Have a look at their charges for an unauthorised overdraft before getting too up tight about it.

Quite normal, quite legal.

I went into the bank (because nobody on the phone was any use, as usual), and they are charging me £6.50 a month for having the privilege of having a bank account, and another £4 odd a month for having an overdraft. It's an overdraft that I keep within the agreed limits of, and these aren't charges for going over an agreed limit.

I know it doesn't sound like alot of money, seeing as most people on here have racked up 10 times the debt I have, but there have been so many bloody things with Barclays that I just want to have no more to do with them.

Can I open a regular no overdraft current account with someone like Natwest, have my disability benefits paid into that (and switch the account my monthly payments for me credit card repayment comes out of) and then get barclays into a repayment scheme for my overdraft?

jonesMUFCforever

Why not just downgrade the Barclays account to a non fee account which will save you £6.50 a month but as has been previously posted you might be charged a higher rate of interest.

Your first post stated that you felt that you were charged just for having an account - this is untrue you are being charged interest because you are using the bank's money (overdraft) and whether you are on benefits or not is immaterial.

oneoutofnone

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Why not just downgrade the Barclays account to a non fee account which will save you £6.50 a month but as has been previously posted you might be charged a higher rate of interest.

Your first post stated that you felt that you were charged just for having an account - this is untrue you are being charged interest because you are using the bank's money (overdraft) and whether you are on benefits or not is immaterial.

Yes but it's being charged twice. for the same thing. £6.50 account fee (a fee for havign an account) and then also charged again on top of that a separate charge of interest.. to recap. two charges.

oneoutofnone

I have been told on three separate occasions in the branch that there is no 'free' account, and that that it is not an additions account.

getmore4less

oneoutofnone wrote: »

I have been told on three separate occasions in the branch that there is no 'free' account, and that that it is not an additions account.

There is one on the web site.

http://www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/

willo65

oneoutofnone wrote: »

I have been told on three separate occasions in the branch that there is no 'free' account, and that that it is not an additions account.

You are only getting one charge £6.50 for the account and then debit interest which will depend on how overdrawn you are and will be a percentage of the overdrawn balance, this is not a charge it is what it says "interest"

strachson

i have a authorised overdraft from barclays and i have been in it for 5 months now due to losing my job and they have charged me £831 for the privilige. and i thought !!!!!! turpin was a thieveing !!!!!!!

StAnToN_2

It sounds as if you are on the First Additions Account which costs £6.50 per month for this you are given £100 interest free overdraft*, Gadget Insurance, Mobile Phone Insurance, Legal Advice Line. If you just go into branch you will be able to downgrade the account to a Barclays Bank Account which is free and there are no charges for simply having an account.

The £4.50 sounds as though it could be a combination of Overdraft PPI and Overdraft Interest. Best sitting down with a Personal Banker in branch and having a full review of your accounts as it doesn;t seem as if you are using the benefits of the account and may not have the need for Payment Protection Insurance of your Overdraft these are easily 'downgraded' in branch.

Hope this helps!


*Subject to application.