Report Bank Charges successes and failures

dunstonh

Webbnico wrote: »

Hi there, Just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and your site.
I finally decided to 'give it a go' and see if I could reclaim any money for my packaged account (bearing in mind that I actually used the breakdown cover earlier this year.)
I red through your guides and, sceptically, completed your online form, deleting the relevant parts etc.
This was sent off on Monday this week. Today, Friday, they called me to discuss my case at midday. They asked a couple of questions, noted which elements of cover I have or haven't used etc and...4.30 PM today I had another call to say that they would be paying me for not only the account costs but also the interest....£3048!!!
I am so so happy and I just wanted to let you know.

Anyone else thinking of doing it, what is the worst that can happen? Just fill the form in and send it off!!

Well done. Although this thread is on bank charges. Not packaged bank accounts.

Steven_Pidwell

We've just successfully claimed back money on a Lloyds account. Basically we've had a normal account at LLoyds since 1984. it was upgraded about 1990 and then again early 2000's. they've disputed the latter and agreed the former, but be warned they didn't roll over easily. They sent me a text saying they'd be in touch and then rang and grilled me for about 20 minutes. During this time they repeatedly asked if I agreed that there were benefits to having the bolt-ons to the account. I stuck to my guns and repeatedly said no and repeated the fact that i'd never asked for the account. The foreign gent on the phone spoke very fast and kept trying to trip me up (i'm a company MD in my late 40's by the way. I'm no brain surgeon but i'm not an idiot either) and the whole experience was very intimidating. I would strongly urge getting someone to talk on your behalf if you're easily flustered. The good news is we're getting about £750.00 back and the bad news for LLoyds is they're going to lose a customer. Definitely worth doing but be prepared for a fight!!

dunstonh

Steven_Pidwell wrote: »

We've just successfully claimed back money on a Lloyds account. Basically we've had a normal account at LLoyds since 1984. it was upgraded about 1990 and then again early 2000's. they've disputed the latter and agreed the former, but be warned they didn't roll over easily. They sent me a text saying they'd be in touch and then rang and grilled me for about 20 minutes. During this time they repeatedly asked if I agreed that there were benefits to having the bolt-ons to the account. I stuck to my guns and repeatedly said no and repeated the fact that i'd never asked for the account. The foreign gent on the phone spoke very fast and kept trying to trip me up (i'm a company MD in my late 40's by the way. I'm no brain surgeon but i'm not an idiot either) and the whole experience was very intimidating. I would strongly urge getting someone to talk on your behalf if you're easily flustered. The good news is we're getting about £750.00 back and the bad news for LLoyds is they're going to lose a customer. Definitely worth doing but be prepared for a fight!!

Well done. Although this thread is on bank charges. Not packaged bank accounts.

Bettencourt37

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this.

I followed the guide to reclaim around £1,200 in bank charges. I sent the letter on Friday 24th of March. I have today received a mysterious credit to my account of around £335. I've received no offer via phone call or letter - the amount was just credited to my account. As it was mentioned there was a "negotiation" part to this, I am able to reject this amount and try and negotioate more?

Nasqueron

Paterson37 wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this.

I followed the guide to reclaim around £1,200 in bank charges. I sent the letter on Friday 24th of March. I have today received a mysterious credit to my account of around £335. I've received no offer via phone call or letter - the amount was just credited to my account. As it was mentioned there was a "negotiation" part to this, I am able to reject this amount and try and negotioate more?

No, it's entirely a goodwill gesture. You haven't been able to "reclaim" bank charges since the 2009 court case, only current financial hardship cases are looked at. You can accept the offer or ask for more but as it is a gesture it can be withdrawn

Bettencourt37

Nasqueron wrote: »

No, it's entirely a goodwill gesture. You haven't been able to "reclaim" bank charges since the 2009 court case, only current financial hardship cases are looked at. You can accept the offer or ask for more but as it is a gesture it can be withdrawn

FH is a factor in the complaint.

[Deleted User]

Paterson37 wrote: »

FH is a factor in the complaint.

Any refund is still a goodwill gesture. Are you in the Bank's definition of Financial Hardship?

facingthefuture

I sent the bank charges reclaim letter with interest on Saturday to Santander for my current account. It was for over 2k of charges I did the paragraph explaining the hardship - very painful (lots of death and biz going downhill). Today someone from the bank kept trying to call me then left a message to call back. I am terrified/feel sick.Now what. Should I speak? Will the lady be angry and reject it if I don't. Feeling really sick.This refund would mean the world.

Nasqueron

facingthefuture wrote: »

I sent the bank charges reclaim letter with interest on Saturday to Santander for my current account. It was for over 2k of charges I did the paragraph explaining the hardship - very painful (lots of death and biz going downhill). Today someone from the bank kept trying to call me then left a message to call back. I am terrified/feel sick.Now what. Should I speak? Will the lady be angry and reject it if I don't. Feeling really sick.This refund would mean the world.

Firstly financial hardship cases do not work on the basis you tell them how much to pay you, they do not have to refund anything (they can help you with debt management, freeze future charges etc or refund some (typically 6 months)).

Secondly, the bank are meant to be understanding of financial hardship, they probably just need to see a human side, talk about your income etc. However, if you have put in such a case and have evidence that is self-inflicted (e.g. eating out, shopping at Waitrose, Sky TV, expensive mobile contract etc) they may want to talk about helping you manage your money better. It may just be a simply polite call to check through anything you have missed.

Ring them back and ask to speak to the financial hardship people, explain your situation, have your statements to hand with any sums you have done (such as total charges vs income, bills for gas/electricity/water/rent so you can argue your case).

They are not there to be the Spanish Inquisition, their regulator, the FCA, requires them to be fair

https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/fair-treatment-customers

Placida

facingthefuture wrote: »

I sent the bank charges reclaim letter with interest on Saturday to Santander for my current account. It was for over 2k of charges I did the paragraph explaining the hardship - very painful (lots of death and biz going downhill). Today someone from the bank kept trying to call me then left a message to call back. I am terrified/feel sick.Now what. Should I speak? Will the lady be angry and reject it if I don't. Feeling really sick.This refund would mean the world.

Hi, you may find this link useful.

http://www.santander.co.uk/uk/help-support/money-worries