Bank Charges Reclaiming Guide discussion

madmac2010

I have just recieved a letter telling me I am not going to be getting any of my bank charges back. I got these charges when I was in hardship and they have had a knock on effect. I did have my own house and worked but fell into debt very quickly, I was advised to leave the job as it was not doin me any favours. I got myself out of debt with everything, only because I moved back into the family home, after getting evicted. I want the bank to show me they was at least wrong for taking my benefits when I was out of work trying to pay so much money and they still had me charged left right and center. I needed the money so much then, but now its more out of princable. Can anyone give me any advice on what they would do? Thanks

madmac2010

Will look after Martin has published the quide, thanx hun

shawshank2411

I have received a letter from Abbey today stating they will reimburse me £345 of bank charges from January and will not charge me anything between now and March 2010. However I initially asked to reclaim over £5,000 due to financial hardship. Should I accept this offer or contact them asking them for more, approx £2000 in order to clear my overdraft and get back on an even track.

natweststaffmember

shawshank2411 wrote: »

I have received a letter from Abbey today stating they will reimburse me £345 of bank charges from January and will not charge me anything between now and March 2010. However I initially asked to reclaim over £5,000 due to financial hardship. Should I accept this offer or contact them asking them for more, approx £2000 in order to clear my overdraft and get back on an even track.

When did the period of financial hardship start?

shawshank2411

Hardship started approximately March 2008 and has been ongoing since due to the large overdraft each month and bank charges. If we could clear the overdraft and lower it we would be in a better situation all round. We are struggling to pay essential bills and are getting calls on a regular basis from our creditors.

natweststaffmember

shawshank2411 wrote: »

Hardship started approximately March 2008 and has been ongoing since due to the large overdraft each month and bank charges. If we could clear the overdraft and lower it we would be in a better situation all round. We are struggling to pay essential bills and are getting calls on a regular basis from our creditors.

What was the cause of it? Loss of employment? Loss of hours? etc,etc,
I'll try and explain a bit more why I am asking. Similar to the FSA waiver the Lending Code section 9 is a very close relation. The lending code puts the onus on you the customer to try and work out things with your creditors. Furthermore, Financial hardship is defined in these terms:

"138. Personal customers should be considered to be in financial difficulty when income is insufficient to cover reasonable living expenses and meet financial commitments as they become due"

As you will see from the above it is almost identical to the FSA Waiver.
Next thing is whether you have priority debt arrears(mortgage or rent, council tax, utilities)?
Have you contacted those providers and explained that you are going through difficulties and have they done anything to help you?

Gavlar_2

I received letter from my bank (Lloyds TSB) after my complaint being on hold regarding ‘unfair charges’ saying that:

"As a result of these rulings we will not be upholding your complaint or be providing a refund of the bank charges that you complained about"

And that they will close my file if I do not pursue it by the 9 March 2010.

From what I have gathered there is not much we can do in relation to the Supreme Court rulings, is this so...

Further to all of the above I have recently incurred more bank charges.
They are now charging me an unplanned overdraft monthly fee of £15.00 plus a daily fee of £20.00 until paid or it is subject to increase if I do not pay it.
With interest on top of any unplanned overdraft balance.

I still think this is an extortionate amount to be charging or is this normal/fair charges after the whole Court proceedings?

Thanks

natweststaffmember

Martin will have further advice next week with regards to reclaiming.

sarahbramley

hi my mother is in the same situation after sending the original template letter. she has now received a letter from her bank natwest, saying they are throwing her case out after the ruling in supreme court and she has 8weeks in which to reply. what do you suggest she does? also she could possibly be considered to be suffering hardship so is this a worthwhile route to go down?

creditscorehelp

Likewise I've received a letter from my bank, NatWest, it included a link to www(dot)natwest(dot)com/overdraftchargesupdate (sorry not allowed to paste a link so I improvised!)

I would really appreciate a new template letter soon to respond to them.

thank you