How to fight carges not yet paid?

Arkwright617_2

Hi all

Not sure if anyone can help, but here's the scenario.

A couple of days ago I received a letter from a debt collection company telling me to get in touch as I owed money to the Nat West bank. I contacted them and they said they had been instructed to collect a debt of £467 on behalf of Nat West. I asked them for details of the debt, as I haven't used the Nat West account for approximately 5 years and had forgotten it even existed. they said they didn't have any details as to how the debt was incurred and I would have to contact the bank.

I have spoken to the bank who were most unhelpful, but it appears that approximately 18 months ago, my paypal account attempted to take £11 from my Nat West account that was registered with them, but which had no money in it. It turns out that when I cancelled a credit card on file with paypal, it defaulted to the Nat West card and not the new credit card I had registered with them.

Since the incident occurred, I have moved home, but despite having paid for 6 months mail forwarding, I have never received any communication from the Nat West regarding this debt.

So I guess my question is, can I challenge a bank charge that I haven't yet paid, or do I have to pay £467 and then try and claim it back.

I have spoken to the credit collection agency and told them I intend to dispute the charges and they have said they will refer the debt back to the bank, so I'm hoping that keeps them off my back while I sort out a course of action.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

Arkie....

natweststaffmember

Yes you can claim back the charges from NatWest. You need the details of the charges first of all.

Arkwright617_2

Hi and thanks for your speedy response.

I'm not actually looking to claim back the charges as I haven't yet paid them, I was wondering in the first instance if I can refuse to pay the £467 or are you saying I do have to pay the amount and then put in a claim to get it back?

Also, do I need to inform the bank in writing at this stage that I am refusing to pay the charges and the reasons why, or is it enough that I have informed the debt collection agency that I intend to dispute the charges?

Hope that makes sense

Arkie....

natweststaffmember

You would already have been charged by the bank so I don't understand the question really.
You can not bother to pay but eventually they will issue a county court claim for the full amount, there is of course a defence and counterclaim ie bank charges but I think you can tell the DCA to get stuffed quite easily because of the OFT test case.

Arkwright617_2

I guess I'm having a senior moment

I understand that I have been charged by the bank, but I haven't actually paid any of the charges. They haven't been able to take any money because there is no money in the account.

All I want to know at this stage is whether I should be sending Nat West a cheque for £467 and if not, then should I be writing to them to tell them what I intend to do instead.

Sorry If I'm coming across as a bit stupid, but I am a bit stupid...

Arkie...

natweststaffmember

.....and at 6:30am in the morning I am really dopey

Ok, it's up to you if you send them the money and are able to do so or whether you set up a payment plan with them and drip feed the money back to them

I would claim the charges back though at the same time, whatever you decide to do.

Arkwright617_2

Good morning all...

I prefer the idea of drip feeding some money back to Nat West whilst at the same time making a claim for the charges, so could someone please tell me how or point me in the direction of a letter that would acheive this?

The template letters on this site all seem to relate to situations where people have already paid bank charges.

many thanks

Arkie...

natweststaffmember

Arkwright617 wrote: »

Good morning all...

I prefer the idea of drip feeding some money back to Nat West whilst at the same time making a claim for the charges, so could someone please tell me how or point me in the direction of a letter that would acheive this?

The template letters on this site all seem to relate to situations where people have already paid bank charges.

many thanks

Arkie...

Just talk with natwest and say you are able to repay it at £50 a month or less and see what they say.

lisaf

Hi Arkie,
I am having exactly the same problem with them (on behalf of my little sister). She went literally £1 over her limit and now they're chasing her for about £500!
So consequently I am in the process of issuing proceedings in court for these and I'm refusing to pay them a penny in the mean time - why should I? They've already defaulted her so damage already done.
Lisa x

Arkwright617_2

Hi Lisa

Thanks for your reply.

Could you tell me exactly what action you have actually taken so far?

For example, have you written to the bank and if so what did you write?

I'm still a bit unsure as to my first course of action.

Cheers
Arkie...