Bank charge claim - A few questions first

KevinM

I am considering making a claim to my bank to reclaim all of my bank charges over the past 6 years. They have been mainly for going over my authorised overdraft limit (usually by <£10, and usually < 3 days).

At £40 a pop, over the 6 years at about 4 times per year, it must total somewhere in the £900+ range.

However, my questions are:

1. Has anyone succesfully reclaimed their charges back from The Royal Bank of Scotland ? (I did actually telephone my bank on a few occasions over the past 18 mnths to see if they would refund the £40 charge, especially when one of the times I was overdrawn by £1 for 1 day, but they told me it was bank policy and wouldn't budge).

2. I really don't want to have my account closed if I claim/go to court. Is this a distinct possibility ? Are they likely to ask me to repay my current overdraft and close my account ? My overdraft is £3000 and I tend to use most of it, so my claim wouldn't cover it if I needed to clear my overdraft.

3. I know people will tell me that legally the money is mine, but is it worth the risk of being booted from the bank and having the problem of finding £2000+ to clear my overdraft ?

Thanks for your help,
Kevin.

Mark7799

1. check on https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum
2. It's possible; the advice offered is to have another account open ready with a different bank in case this happens (a 'parachute account')
3. this has to be your call

mparter

As above plus;

2. They may, as has already happened to at least one other person, reclaim your OD. I think this may be on the cards for me as I've been asked in to discuss my OD.

robert_harper_2000

I won against HSBC for £298.73 including 8% interest I charged Them!

100% no-one has failed!

KevinM

I think I'm going to leave this one alone. I can't take the risk that my bank will call in its OD.

On a very small positive note, I went over my last 6 months transactions online using PC banking and noticed two charges made of £28 each. I telephoned my bank and asked nicely for them to be refunded stating that I thought the charges were excessive for the reason they were issued.

2 minutes later after the lady had spoken to her boss they agreed "on this occasion and as a gesture of goodwill" to refund the charges :beer:

So I will stick with that. Small result, a night out for me courtesy of the RBS and I get to keep my account and OD intact.

Not bad for 5 minutes work.

Cheers everyone, and best of luck with your claims.
Kevin.

robert_harper_2000

They aren't allowed to with your account because you want your own unlawful fines were charged. All it means is next time you have a charge, when you phone them they immediatly refund it no questions asked. You have nothing to lose! Just read the results, your silly too give your money away for nothing.

Good luck whatever you decide. If you want advice on how to claim either see the site suggested or I would help!:beer:

davilown

KevinM wrote:

I am considering making a claim to my bank to reclaim all of my bank charges over the past 6 years. They have been mainly for going over my authorised overdraft limit (usually by <£10, and usually < 3 days).

At £40 a pop, over the 6 years at about 4 times per year, it must total somewhere in the £900+ range.

However, my questions are:

1. Has anyone succesfully reclaimed their charges back from The Royal Bank of Scotland ? (I did actually telephone my bank on a few occasions over the past 18 mnths to see if they would refund the £40 charge, especially when one of the times I was overdrawn by £1 for 1 day, but they told me it was bank policy and wouldn't budge).

2. I really don't want to have my account closed if I claim/go to court. Is this a distinct possibility ? Are they likely to ask me to repay my current overdraft and close my account ? My overdraft is £3000 and I tend to use most of it, so my claim wouldn't cover it if I needed to clear my overdraft.

2. I really don't want to have my account closed if I claim/go to court. Is this a distinct possibility ?

Thanks for your help,
Kevin.

1. Has anyone succesfully reclaimed their charges back from The Royal Bank of Scotland ?

Yes £225 from Barclays with no quibbles

2. I really don't want to have my account closed if I claim/go to court. Is this a distinct possibility ?

Barclays had no problems with me staying with them or leaving

3. I know people will tell me that legally the money is mine, but is it worth the risk of being booted from the bank and having the problem of finding £2000+ to clear my overdraft ?

Yes definately. The banks have very little hope in court and for £900 back it has to be worth it


Good luck and get your money ASAP

:beer: monster

mparter

Thats the chance you've got to take I suppose and as long as there's some doubt in your mind preventing you from claiming, then the banks have "won".

My case against RBS has been filed at court and I'm waiting on them acknowledging the summons and then stating whether or not they intedn to defend.

Just back from discussing my OD and the woman made no mention of my claim (didn't think she would). She stated that the bank are looking at reducing any overdrafts over a £1000.

robert_harper_2000

PS your charges would prolly repay most of your overdraft! lol