Report Bank Charges successes and failures

[Deleted User]

chicqa wrote: »

I want to establish if I can request the case is reopened in light of this new information?

Why not approach the Ombudsman rather than ask on a forum? Your original query was almost two months ago.

I don't see this "new information" will change anything, but you won't know for sure unless you try again.

gemineyegirl

I've tried for the last year to reclaim unfair bank charges from Nationwide without success. The Ombudsman did nothing to help either.
I was so incensed I changed my mortgage that I'd had with Nationwide for the last 15 years as I vowed not another penny would they get from me! I also stopped using my c/c and may only use it for purchases abroad occasionally.
I have not found their customer services team helpful at all.

gem x

[Deleted User]

The Banks won their court case about "unfair" bank charges in 2009.

The irony of you switching your mortgage is that whoever you now pay would also reject any complaint about "unfair" bank charges.

Customer service really doesn't come into it.

dunstonh

I've tried for the last year to reclaim unfair bank charges from Nationwide without success. The Ombudsman did nothing to help either.

As the banks won the case in 2009, it seems pretty logical that would be the outcome. The FOS even state on their website that they cannot consider unfair bank charge complaints any more.

I was so incensed I changed my mortgage that I'd had with Nationwide for the last 15 years as I vowed not another penny would they get from me! I also stopped using my c/c and may only use it for purchases abroad occasionally.

And you have probably saved them in money in the process. So, well done.

I have not found their customer services team helpful at all.

Telling you that you are not getting any money back does not make them unhelpful.

tahir8

The last time this thread was on the moneysaving expert email i decided to have a go and send the sample letter with all my details to my bank (Lloyds TSB) at the time. I calculated that I had paid over £3000 in bank charges. since 2007.
After sending the letter i did not get a response,, so i resent using recorded delivery, again no response, so i decided to call the complaints department, they explained they had never received any letters and this could be due to the transition between of LLoyds TSB splitting up. however listened to my case of wanting to claim back the bank charges due to being in financial difficulties.
There response was that due to paperwork i signed when i opened up my account in 2007 i CANNOT claim any charges back and that all the charges applied to my account were legitimate and within the T&C's of the contract.
Ombudsman was of no use either .
Anyone else have this?

dunstonh

tahir8 wrote: »

The last time this thread was on the moneysaving expert email i decided to have a go and send the sample letter with all my details to my bank (Lloyds TSB) at the time. I calculated that I had paid over £3000 in bank charges. since 2007.
After sending the letter i did not get a response,, so i resent using recorded delivery, again no response, so i decided to call the complaints department, they explained they had never received any letters and this could be due to the transition between of LLoyds TSB splitting up. however listened to my case of wanting to claim back the bank charges due to being in financial difficulties.
There response was that due to paperwork i signed when i opened up my account in 2007 i CANNOT claim any charges back and that all the charges applied to my account were legitimate and within the T&C's of the contract.
Ombudsman was of no use either .
Anyone else have this?

Yes. Most people nowadays get a rejection.
1 - you cant complain charges are unfair
2 - it only applies to current financial hardship. Not historic.

If in current hardship, they look at your current position, how you got into hardship and your spending habits. If it was self inflicted then usually that means you get no help. if it is through an event (redundancy, bereavement or something) then they will usually help if in hardship. However, that can still be no refund. It could be that they suspend future charges for x months or put you on a debt management scheme. if they do refund, then it tends to be recent charges (6-12 months typically). Only extreme cases go back long term.

If you mention the word unfair (or similar) anywhere then it usually ends up going badly for you as the banks won the court case in 2009 on that point.

Kkirst089

Hi, could i claim through or has anyone tried to; challenge the affordability of the informal overdraft(s)?

dunstonh

Kkirst089 wrote: »

Hi, could i claim through or has anyone tried to; challenge the affordability of the informal overdraft(s)?

Yes they have tried and failed. The banks won the court case in 2009.

Kkirst089

Although that was for the fairness of bank charges, i am thinking why are the banks letting people go over their overdraft limit in the first place and do they not surely have to check people can afford it first? They let you go over the authorised overdraft a few times before they refuse you more, so how do they know when that limit is; for each person? How do they justify an unauthorised overdraft? 'Cause it certainly doesn't help, i would rather pay a £12 charge for late payment on bills than the maxium £80 on bank charges. Sorry for all the questions!

dunstonh

Although that was for the fairness of bank charges, i am thinking why are the banks letting people go over their overdraft limit in the first place and do they not surely have to check people can afford it first?

There has to be an element of personal responsibility here. That is recognised. Adults should be allowed to behave as adults. Plus, the system does not allow for full real time checking. Transactions below a floor limit for example, would not be checked against the balance.

They let you go over the authorised overdraft a few times before they refuse you more, so how do they know when that limit is; for each person?

They make a decision on a case by case basis depending on the credit standing of that person with the bank.

How do they justify an unauthorised overdraft?

If the person is in poor standing with the bank and they do not want to give a short term overdraft then it will be unauthorised.

Effectively, every withdrawal above the overdraft facility is unauthorised. However, how the bank treats it will differ depending on their management decisions.

'Cause it certainly doesn't help, i would rather pay a £12 charge for late payment on bills than the maxium £80 on bank charges. Sorry for all the questions!

So, dont pay the bill then and you will avoid the bank charge. The bank is not there to be your money manager. I know its no the answer you are looking for but the banks have bank charges sorted now. Also, do remember that a bounced item typically has a bank charge too.