Really need help.

Urgh

Hi all. I'm really sorry about this post. I'm really angry about letting myself mess up like this and I don't know where to turn. I say that like there is anywhere to turn. I guess I just wanted to tell someone, anyone so they could shout and tell me how silly i am.

Long story short last year split up with the now ex, severe depression, got sacked and I've been on JSA ever since (feb)

Obviously getting just over £100 a fortnight means my account is usually pretty close to the overdraft limit. I'd forgotten about a standing order I had that went into into a Natwest ISA from my Natwest current account. It was only £20 but it was enough to put me over my £50 overdraft.

Anyway, I was charged £38. For a 20 SO to another NW account.

Fair enough I though. I've messed up, I'll just have to go a bit short.

Anyhoo, one month later and I get charged £28 for the previous charge putting me over my overdraft limit. Which, you guess it, puts me over my overdraft limit again by £5.

Now this month comes along, I hadn't realised that I would be charged again. I paid for some food at £11.44 on the same day that last charge came in and that has registered as a GTEE Card Payment Fail, as well as the charge for the last charge putting me over my limit.

I'm so absolutely upset. I just want to cry, or something much worse. I left enought money in the account (and that's not easy on JSA) to cover the charge but I had not noticed the other charge so now I'm over drawn again.

So now I have £50 to last me two weeks, and then I have to save £28 for when they charge me again next month.

I know there's nothing I can do. I just feel sick.

Sorry.

Urgh

Sorry, the first and second time I got charged I didn't realise I would but this time I realised the last charge put me over my over draft so made sure I had enough to cover the charge, but now I've been hit with the cardpayment one too and that's put me over again.

LemonGrove

Sorry to hear this, I know losses of amounts of money such as £38 can seem like small potatoes to some but when having to live off JSA amounts it can be a real trial and can really get to you. You don't need to say sorry, we all get into problems. The point of the Debt Free Wannabe board is to support you, not judge you.

scruff04

Hiya, I had a similar thing happen to me..my wages were a day late being paid into my account and they charged me 50 quid to bounce 2 direct debits that had they honoured would have come to 48 quid. I phoned my bank (Alliance and Leicester) and they refunded 25 quid on the spot and the other 25 quid has been sent to the complaints department to be looked at. Phone up Nat West and explain the circumstances and see if you can get a refund...it has to be worth a try. Hope it works out for you.

mummytofour

I have had this NATWEST as total sods when they want to be. I hope you can sort it out ok.

Miss_Piggy_2

Hi there

Firstly, I want to say that if you have been on JSA since Feb and have only got a £50 overdraft then you have my utmost admiration!

I would suggest going and talking to the bank. Ask to see the manager privately and explain to him whats happened. Also show him how you have been managing to stay within your overdraft despite only receiving JSA. Hopefully he will feel some compassion and will refund the charges.

Good luck

Miss P
xx

tallyhoh

Have you cancelled the direct debit now, was it totally necessary? Ask at the bank for a list of possible direct debits & cancel then so you dont get caught out again.
Is it possible to open account at another bank to stop this thing rolling on, I hear the co-op do a basic one.
Anyway, in the meantime do you have anything to sell to keep you going? Books/cd's/dvd's to list on Amazon, you dont have to pay fees until you sell the item. Can you flog something to your friends? clothes or jewellry, books.

redmel1621

I would definitely try to phone and get the charges refunded in the first instance.

Or another option - Is there any way you could open another account to get your jsa paid into, and then contact Natwest (who can be real !!!! at times) and ask for your account to be frozen while you pay back any charges/overdrafts owing. They should allow you to pay them back in weekly instalments.

I hope you get sorted soon

BeautyandtheBeast_3

Hi, and welcome - i would echo what Miss Piggy said - Pop in and speak to them face to face rather than over the telephone. People react more kindly to a face to face chat.

museumworker

Just a quick message to send you my best wishes... please don't be too hard on yourself. Five years ago I split up with my ex, became a homeless single mum and got severe depression too. It was a very hard time, and with hindsight (and having recovered) I wish I had been kinder to myself. I hope you are having some support from your doctor about the depression. Wish I could give some more advice about the money situation, but speaking to your branch manager as suggested will hopefully get it sorted. Let us know how it goes. Hugs.