Bank Charges Reclaiming Guide discussion

Mike_Anders

Hi Everybody

I am new here, I joined today & I am trying to find out if it is possible to make a claim against the Halifax Bank of Scotland.
The overdraft rules were changed last year & now you have to pay £1.00 for every day your account is overdrawn. If you are overdrawn for a month it will be £30 - £31 charges, depending on the number of days in the month. Before this rule was applied I only paid interest on the overdrawn amount. I have only £1000 overdraft facility & this means that my bank charges have now doubled! I am finding it increasingly difficult to clear my overdraft every month on my meager state pension (which has been capped) & my private pension

I am an expat pensioner living in Thailand.

Mike Anders

Premier_2

Mike_Anders wrote: »

Hi Everybody

I am new here, I joined today & I am trying to find out if it is possible to make a claim against the Halifax Bank of Scotland.
The overdraft rules were changed last year & now you have to pay £1.00 for every day your account is overdrawn. If you are overdrawn for a month it will be £30 - £31 charges, depending on the number of days in the month. Before this rule was applied I only paid interest on the overdrawn amount. I have only £1000 overdraft facility & this means that my bank charges have now doubled! I am finding it increasingly difficult to clear my overdraft every month on my meager state pension (which has been capped) & my private pension

I am an expat pensioner living in Thailand.

Mike Anders

The £1 per day fee applies to arrnged overdrafts of up to £2500.

These type of fees are not covered by the MSE article, which is about over limit and unpaid item charges.

You can still ask your bank for advice on how to better manage your overdraft. Alternatively, you may wish to consider posting on the DFW board, with an aim to clear your debts.

the_insider

Dada wrote: »

I made claim on 4 Dec 2010. On 15 Jan 2011, I called the Halifax Head Office if they have recieve my letter, they told me no. And they advised me to go my nearest haifax branch with an ID. I am yet to go there. Any advise on what I should be asking for when I go there.

If they are asking for ID they probably have lost contact with you at some point and need to verify your current address etc. They won't be able to deal with your complaint if they're not 100% sure that it's you. Pop into branch and ask them to check that your records are correct and then make another claim for the charges.

zppp

the_insider wrote: »

then make another claim for the charges.

The OP cannot make a claim for unfair charges, as the £1 per day is for usage of an arranged overdraft, and replaces debit interest.

the_insider

But if he's in hardship then they may agree to suspend the charges (and possibly refund some) and come to a repayment arrangement with him. Either way, he needs to make sure that they've got his correct details.

Premier_2

zppp wrote: »

The OP cannot make a claim for unfair charges, as the £1 per day is for usage of an arranged overdraft, and replaces debit interest.

the_insider was replying to a post by Dada 9 days earlier, rather than the one I was responding to by Mike Anders.

Dada did not say what they were claiming for. Anyway it was 9 days ago and I would have hoped the poster has been to their branch now. Even if not, it was a brand new poster posting in the wee hours of the morning ... and they've not bothered to come back since

the_insider

He did say that he hadn't gone to branch. Just trying to offer a bit of friendly advice, that seems to be the big issue rather than the charges, nothing will happen until he does.

Mike_Anders

Hi Everybody

Thanks for your advice. I will phone or write to the bank next to see if there is a better way to deal with my overdraft.

It seems to me that I could borrow a lot more money for £30 per month?

Mike Anders

Premier_2

Mike_Anders wrote: »

...
It seems to me that I could borrow a lot more money for £30 per month?...

That's one way to look at it, certainly.

Mike_Anders wrote: »

... I am finding it increasingly difficult to clear my overdraft every month on my meager state pension (which has been capped) & my private pension...

But as you appear to already be struggling with this level of repayment, I would suggest a better solution would be to reduce your monthly payments.

Speaking with your bank as you say you will do would be a step in the right direction, as long as you explain to them you are currently struggling to repay the monthly fees (otherwise the bank may try and sell you more loans)

reclaiming_fairy

Hi,

Just after some advise on re claiming bank charges.
Last year whilst on holiday in Australia I went over my authorised overdraft limit by £4. I was out in Australia for three months and as soon as I saw I was over I called Lloyds who advised me I would need to transfer cash over to cover this. Unfortunately I didn't have access to an online account to transfer the money and even though I advised Lloyds this was an exceptional circumstance they continued to charge me for three months. This accumulated to a grand sum of £325 in total which I think is disgusting. When I got back I wrote to them to complain about this and was told in no uncertain terms that it was just tough and I wasn't entitled to anything back. Is there any way that I can reclaim this money?
I am on a bit of a reclaiming mission lately, but I just seem to be hitting a brick wall with:mad: bank charges.