Bank charges advise needed! (not reclaiming)

camsoft

Hi,

I've got an Lloyds TSB account that I don't use and only have a few pounds in that was my old current account before I changed to A&L.

Recently £7 was debited from this Lloyds account from an online service that still has my debit card detail stored that I did not know about. It put my account into the red by £2.70. I quickly paid in £10 into that account to get it back in to credit again.

Though other day I got a letter saying that I had occurred bank charges. These charges were applied (when account now in credit) and put me back into debit again. Because I was in debt again they changed me more changes, and I seem to be getting daily charges now of up to £100 and £15 a day.

In summary:

Went £2.70 overdrawn
Paid £10 in to account
Account was in credit again by £7.30
Bank charges me £60 for going £2.70 overdrawn putting my account back into the red.
Bank changes me ongoing till amount is paid off.

I'm currently overdrawn because of the changes of over £100+ and it's climbing daily.

As I don't use this account Lloyds have been unable to take the funds to pay the overdraft as no money is ever paid in.

I've been getting daily phone calls from India (lloyds) trying to get me to pay but I refuse to.

I refuse to pay £100's for going £2.97 OD

I really need advise as I don't know what to do. It's seems illegal to me that any company can charge me hundreds of pounds for being overdrawn by £2.70 for a few days.

What the heck are they charging me for? Are they really providing me a service of an authorised overdraft to cover debt that the bank themselves caused by apply changes to an account in credit?

pure_dead_dopey

There must be an answer to this, have you tried going into the branch and sorting out face to face?

niccatw

If going into the branch doesn't work, put it in writing. You could possible copy it to OFT (other's may be better able to advise on that one). You'd need to sate howmuch you went overdron, when, when you put the money in, when you received the letter informing you of the charges etc and confirm you've cancelled all direct dbits.

I think you can only ask for it as a goodwill gesture and point out that you feel the charge is excessive. They might argue they were within their rights (HBOS did this to me, stating in was in my t&cs to put in £500 per month and I hadn't done so. This only ever was pointed out to me when I once went into my overdraft, not before, though, same as you, I hadn't been putting money in regularly since I transferred)

I hope you get it sorted quickly. And as soon as you do, send them a letter asking them to close the account!

Good luck

camsoft

Does it have to be my locally branch as I work an hour away from my local branch and they are never open at weekends? Or can I go to any branch?

niccatw

When I spoke to Bank of Scotland, I went to the one nearest to me as I was in such a panic/strop They did help and didn't quiz me about which branch the account was opened in.

It might well depend on the branch or the server, but the worst that can happen is that they say you have to go to the branch the account was opened it, so you should definitely give it a go. If they do say that, you could always ask them to call your branch on your behalf - save you the cost of a call and trying to get there when it's open!

cookie220985

i think you can go into any branch, but take statements and ID with you so they can verify. If that doesnt work, then try this:

Debit Card Disputes,
9th floor,
Essex House,
Southchurch Avenue,
Southend on Sea
SS1 2LB

Please include copies of any letters that you have sent to, or received from, the retailer and your proof of postage and receipts or invoices. Please also include details of the difference in description. Should your account be debited again once the 15 days have passed, then call 0845 300 6699.