£20 fine from Halifax

noswad_2

Hi.

I have a student account with an overdraft limit of £1200.

I was recently billed £4.68 which took me over the above limit.

Because of this Halifax have charged me a £20 fee.

I think this is disgusting. I have been with Halifax for over 10 years and this is only the second time this has happened.

Can anyone offer advice on how to get this fine removed 'in branch' because I am going to visit my local brand later today.

Thanks David.

PS - My account is not a credit card account. It is VISA Debit.

Revex

The fees are applied automatically, so try telling them how you have been with them for so long and think this fee is out of order.

If they want your custom they will likely remove the charge.

The_Boss

Funny how people only ever think its digusting after they've broken their terms and conditions.

noswad_2

I fully accept I have broken the terms of conditions of my bank and that If I cannot get the charge removed I will have to put up with it.

However, my attention was drawn to this page. I was just wondering how relevant my situation is to this page.

Sooler

Branch staff might say they can't refund charges, just write to head office and ask for refund. If you don't get one close the account.

equitydealer

Sooler wrote:

Branch staff might say they can't refund charges, just write to head office and ask for refund. If you don't get one close the account.

Close the account? What about the outstanding overdraft?

Robert_Sterling

noswad wrote:

I fully accept I have broken the terms of conditions of my bank and that If I cannot get the charge removed I will have to put up with it.
However, my attention was drawn to this page. I was just wondering how relevant my situation is to this page.

Go to the branch or write to them and politely explained what has happen as you duid on MSE. Ask them if they would kindly refund the charge this time.
Do not refer to it as unfair. Concentrate your effort on getting the refund.
Good luck.

This was the right place to come. Some posters think that if something is in the terms & conditions that we sign up to then it must be OK.
This is not the view of the Law of the Land which considers some charges to be fines or penalties and as such are a breech of contract. The FSA has said that Credit Card companies should not make charges of more than £12.
Banks may or may not have to comply with this regulation. Rather than test it in the courts they often give in at the last minute.

kuohu

I guess you've probably been into the branch by now, so more advice may be redundant. I hope that the Halifax waived at least some of the charge for you.

But you probably realise that it's asking for trouble by sailing so close to the wind on your OD limit. I know it's easy for that odd direct debit or a bill that's more than you expected to slip you over the edge, and then the cycle starts as you try to pay back in enough money to cover the fee and then create a buffer too.

I notice that you are a newbie here so welcome to the boards, and I'd recommend you having a look on the debt free wannabe subforum. The gurus on there are brilliant at looking at peoples spending and suggesting ways to cut back. With only a few changes you may be able to reduce your outgoings significantly and claw that OD down.

Good luck.

CTT_2

Why not threaten to take them to court. Nice little earner to be had.

The_Boss

CTT wrote:

Why not threaten to take them to court. Nice little earner to be had.

Until they demand the entire overdraft is paid back as a result....

noswad_2

Hi and thanks for all your helpful comments.

I went to my local branch and politely asked them to waive the charge but had no luck.

The least I can do is write a polite letter to head office and then wait and see.

I look forward to posting more in this forum as it seems very rich in resources.

Thanks again.

David.