Report Bank Charges successes and failures

claire1284

Ive just written my letter to TSB using MSE template, going back 6 years, the last 3 years ive been on benefits and continue to be so. Will they only look at the last 3 years of charges do you think?
Thanks,

[Deleted User]

claire1284 wrote: »

Will they only look at the last 3 years of charges do you think?

Historical bank charges are NOT refundable.

However, you can ask the Bank to consider you in Financial Hardship and, if they agree, they may refund typically the last six months of charges.

No point complaining of hardship if you have Sky TV, a mobile 'phone contract or regularly eat out at restaurants.

claire1284

So how has everyone else reclaimed over 6 months worth then?

[Deleted User]

claire1284 wrote: »

So how has everyone else reclaimed over 6 months worth then?

Only those who complained prior to the court case did. There are no recorded incidents of anyone receiving historical payouts since that time.


The Bank are not obliged to refund ANY timescale. I said they typically refund around six months of recent charges and then only when they agree that the complainant fulfils their criteria of Financial Hardship.

The fact that you are "on benefits" does not automatically mean the Bank will agree you are in hardship.

If you continue to pay for subscription TV, a mobile phone contract or other "luxury" spending through your Bank account then the Bank will determine you are not in hardship.

On the other hand, if you are clearly struggling to pay essential bills (in arrears with utility bills, for example) and regularly live in your overdraft then the bank MAY decide to make (some) refunds.

Historical charges are not refunded. Even the MSE article you used states clearly that "reclaiming the up-to-£35 a pop charges for breaching your overdraft is now primarily for those in financial hardship…..but people still regularly get some of their excess charges back."

dunstonh

claire1284 wrote: »

So how has everyone else reclaimed over 6 months worth then?

There has been some refunds that exceed 6 months. it is more of a guide to the typical. The key thing is the depth of the financial hardship.

For example, if you have been in hardship for 3 years and looking forward, the bank feels that refunding 18 months of charges and suspending charges going forward is the best option then they will do that. You dont get the whole period. You get an amount that the bank feels it is sensible to offer.

claire1284

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Will see what the response is, I very much doubt I'll get anything now as I don't have an overdraft.
The amount of fees I've accrued has left a nasty taste though so I'm tempted to leave anyway - no skin of TSB nose though!

dunstonh

claire1284 wrote: »

Ok, thanks for the clarification. Will see what the response is, I very much doubt I'll get anything now as I don't have an overdraft.
The amount of fees I've accrued has left a nasty taste though so I'm tempted to leave anyway - no skin of TSB nose though!

By all means try. Dont mention unfair in your complaint as that normally results in automatic rejection citing the court case outcome.

Your main problem is that financial hardship means current financial hardship. Current debts and issues. Historic but not current usually results in failure. But if you dont ask, you dont get.

[Deleted User]

claire1284 wrote: »

I don't have an overdraft.

So what charges are you asking to be refunded? If they are from a period a few years back, I suspect you are right and they'll refuse to refund anything. You've said you are "on benefits", but not whether you actually fulfil the bank's Hardship criteria? Are you paying for Sky and/or a mobile 'phone contract etc via your bank account?


Anyway, let us know how you get on. It will help others considering requesting refunds.

claire1284

They've just left me a voicemail - I only posted it yesterday. Assuming it's to tell me to bore off.

I've asked for OD charges to be considered, standing order charges to be considered, basically any charges minus the account fee which I pay. I had detailed every single one with the amount and what it was for.

I'd explained that my ex husb had lost his job resulting in me running the house, then he left me newly preg and I then subsequently lost my job and was on benefits - I still am. Explained that my parents subbed me in terms of groceries and also paid off my overdraft for me to lessen the stress. I was 100% honest in my letter. And followed the template on here - as I thought I had to do, therefore mentioning it being 'unfair'.
I'll let you know how I get on. I am still on benefits but my account is reasonably healthy at present due to a benefit back payment. So I probably won't get anything. Had I of sent a letter last month it would have looked different.

Annoying how for 3 years my account has been horrendous and then this month when I want to claim it's now healthy looking.

I wish I'd applied before the court case - but at the time I had so much stress going on in my life it wouldn't have occurred to me to apply.

dunstonh

Banks are very scattergun in how they deal with these things. You can never predict.

Bits of it work for you. Bits of it against. I woudlnt want to call it.

I wish I'd applied before the court case

Actually, the best time would have been during your period of financial hardship. That is when you are most likely to get the most in terms of amount.