BOS charges and unable to work - what should I do next?

extent

I have been unable to work due to health problems earlier last yr (may 08) (uncontrollable epilepsy despite medication), so my Bank Of Scotland (not the royal) student account (which was close to the £2000 overdraft limit) was changed quickly to a standard account at this time by the bank, as was to be expected. The total the bank has charged me to date is around £550 in charges - 16 charges in total so far, 8 charges of £30+ last yr, 8 charges to date this yr. Since May 08, I have paid in £460 of my own money, but their own charges makes them laugh at my attempt to take the account back up to a reasonable level. My account right now is -£2130, so the charges will continue...

I first noticed the charges as I was at accidentally over my overdraft limit by £10 (22 may 08), yet when I paid it back, they charged me once again, and with the additional £30+ ever since (it was at this time the account changed from being a student account to a standard one). Right now they are charging around £45 for this month, which is set to increase rapidly as each month goes by. I am stuck with parents, and on health & living allowance due to my condition, unable to work (the last two I would tell the bank as they would phone each month to wonder why I have not been paying their charges, or paying money into the account). I am on £89 per week now on this H&L Allowance, arguably enough to give a fair percentage of my money to the bank, but thats not what the money is intentially for, so far I have refused to do so. I am thinking of threatening to take the bank to court to reclaim my £500+ of charges in the end, or doing it through one of those no win, no fees law agencies.

What do you think would be the best bet? I really doubt sending them any letters alone on my situation will do any good whatsoever. I was given the number of the Consumer Credit Councilling Agency by the bank itself (!) and after phoning them and telling them what I have available, they have told me to tell the bank I will pay £73 per month into my account, as long as they agree to stop all charges completely. I am also wondering if the bank agrees to the above, and I pay the £70+ of my health/living allowance, can I still claim all my earlier charges back?

I am wondering if I try to reclaim charges, at any point they might change their mind on the £73 per month, and start charging me once again?

thanks

natweststaffmember

I think that you need to explain that your situation and the effect on the charges and ask if they would refund them since the stress caused by them COULD potentially have an effect on your condition. Are the doctors still trying to prescribe drugs that will control the epilepsy? I know that this process can take some time(family history of epilepsy so kinda know the grandmal ones quite well although I don't suffer myself with the condition).
Explain this because stress can also be a cause of seizures which isn't helped by bank charges. Ask them for a refund or at least to go back to square one so you can take control of your finances and ease the stress that it is causing.
Post up their response when you have it. Go back to May 08 on the charges,

extent

thanks for the reply- do u really work for natwest?!??

the uncontrollable epilepsy is actually due to a condition which i was diagnosed with around 8 yrs ago, i have been on different tablets to try and control it, but the body rejects them all, most days I will lose consciousness, even if its just for a few seconds/mins.. I have downloaded my charges since may 08, totals around £550, would a print out from the internet of my charges be enough proof of all charges, if i ever needed it? I imagine so, since the bank could hardly say what was listed was wrong? I hear alot of people on here claiming you cannot reclaim your interest fees, so I dont know exactly how much of these charges I could get back, despite putting £470 of my own money in since may 08 to try and keep my account at a reasonable level..... I have, of course, given up now!

I am really at a loss, dont know whether to give the bank £73 of my health and living allowance every month, when im unable to work-and if they could/would start charging me once again if they found out i am thinking of reclaiming all £550 in previous charges?

natweststaffmember

extent wrote: »

thanks for the reply- do u really work for natwest?!??
I used to work for them for nearly 11 years until I was dismissed in February 2009 but I am known on the forums as this name(shortened to Nattie---I am male, btw so regularly have the sex change without asking for it )
the uncontrollable epilepsy is actually due to a tumor which i was diagnosed with around 8 yrs ago, i have been on different tablets to try and control it, but the body rejects them all, most days I will lose consciousness, even if its just for a few seconds/mins.. I have downloaded my charges since may 08, totals around £550, would a print out from the internet of my charges be enough proof of all charges, if i ever needed it? I imagine so, since the bank could hardly say what was listed was wrong? I hear alot of people on here claiming you cannot reclaim your interest fees, so I dont know exactly how much of these charges I could get back, despite putting £470 of my own money in since may 08 to try and keep my account at a reasonable level..... I have, of course, given up now!

I am really at a loss, dont know whether to give the bank £73 of my health and living allowance every month, when im unable to work-and if they could/would start charging me once again if they found out i am thinking of reclaiming all £550 in previous charges?

I would simply state the charges themselves without interest for the time being. Explain how things have got worse which is why I have suggested going back to May 2008. In real terms if you have charges going back to July 2001 I would be saying to you to go from that point but the situation has worsened since May which is why I have suggested that point.