Reclaiming from Barclays

DarkCloud

Sup guys,

I'm in a spot of bother with Barclays bank. I applied to have some bank charges refunded [to the tune of £700~], their response was that it is bank policy not to refund bank charges, but they would remove £50 from the sum total as a 'gesture of good will.'

This hypocrisy is downright infuriating, considering that they're the ones who applied the damn things in the first place. And all for going overdrawn by £60!

Anyway. I need some advice about what to do next. They have requested the card and cheque-book [which I don't use anyway], and are threatening to close the account.

What do I do? I'm despairing a little - I believe that I qualify as a financial hardship case [because £500+ of those charges occurred within a 12month period], but they won't listen to reason or argument. I pointed out that the amount they're trying to charge is in no way reflective of the cost to Barclays for exceeding the overdraft limit by £60, but they drone on about bank policy [which has nothing to do with the law, it seems.] I openly asked them over the phone that because the charges are ludicrously disproportionate, is it part of Barclays bank's policy/protocol to break the law?

Has anyone some good and sound advice which will (a) stall any action they might seek to take against me, and (b) help me to reclaim the charges?

Thanks,
DC

DarkCloud

No-one? I've written a follow-up letter and will be posting it tomorrow. Surely there's someone with advice?

DC

natweststaffmember

Why are you ringing them, have you specifically asked that your case be treated as hardship?
Have you completed an income and expenditure form?
Have you reminded them that they cannot close an account just because you are claiming charges?

DarkCloud

I haven't, no [to the first]. Should I do this? Do you know where I can get this form?

And they say it's because of account inactivity. I didn't use it because I didn't want my money getting sucked straight into unfair bank charges [which seems reasonable enough].

DC

natweststaffmember

DarkCloud wrote: »

I haven't, no [to the first]. Should I do this? Do you know where I can get this form?

And they say it's because of account inactivity. I didn't use it because I didn't want my money getting sucked straight into unfair bank charges [which seems reasonable enough].

DC

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges
The above is the guide to reclaiming charges.