Account Fees

jay-jay

I have had an account with a bank since the age of eighteen (near on 20 years)and the only thing that has changed is they have increased my overdraft by £100.

This is a second account which isnt used very often, and is mainly a holiday account with a few direct debits and the occasional spending when Im short like at christmas. I bearly use my overdraft.

My mistake but I dont take much notice of my statements as I usually have a rough estimate to whats in it and ive always been close to the balance when the statement comes in so the statement is quickly scanned and filed away.

A few weeks back a friend told me she had been paying for her current account with the same bank as myself and I remember telling her she was mad and should look elsewhere. I think her fee was £12.00.

To cut the story short when my next statement came in I looked my closely and I to have been getting charged for my current account (with extras like AA cover- I dont drive, Holiday Insurance- I dont fly as Im terrefied to and dont take holiday insurance in the uk as I usually book last minute anyway.

Can a bank upgrade you to a new account without informing you. I would have thought I would have to sign an agreement. When I took out the account I never paid for it as it was a basic current account and I have no idea how long I have been paying this account fee but it must have been a long time as my accounts from 2008 are showing this account fee.

I know ive been silly not properly checking my accounts properly and its my own fault but at least I can put a stop to it now. But can someone please tell me if this is common practice.

Jay

Premier_2

jay-jay wrote: »

...Can a bank upgrade you to a new account without informing you...

No, especially not where it involves you paying a monthly fee.

Contact your bank to discuss the matter. Let us know how you get on.

jay-jay

Thanks Premier, I have written to them and posted this morning. Theres no way im going to continue to pay for this account.
Can I fight this or will I have to let it go due to it being my own fault for not reading through my statements properly. At least its a lesson learnt. Unfortunately an expensive one for me!!

hicskis

Premier is right - you've got to get to the bottom of how this happened. Quite simply if the bank cannot provide you with evidence that you authorized this then they will have to return all the fees etc etc...see my thread "taking the fight back".

Do you have internet banking - sometimes an upgrade is only one click away?

jay-jay

No I dont have internet banking, its not an everyday account so I tend to leave what money paid into it alone, and why I didnt notice relatively small amounts deducted each month.

jay-jay

Is your thread on this forum?

hicskis

This sounds like a very simple case to resolve. Go to your branch and ask to speak to the Manager - tell them that you did not authorize the upgrade. Tell them that unless they return your money you will sue for costs. Make sure that this has not affected your Credit Files with the Credit Reference Agencies (Equifax & Experian) as you will need to get them to sort that out too.

My thread (there are two) is right below here. The costs aspect is a very effective way of getting the Manager to listen. Be nice & polite.

But don't take any nonsense now.

Premier_2

jay-jay wrote: »

Thanks Premier, I have written to them and posted this morning. Theres no way im going to continue to pay for this account.
Can I fight this or will I have to let it go due to it being my own fault for not reading through my statements properly. At least its a lesson learnt. Unfortunately an expensive one for me!!

Hopefully there won't be any fighting to be done

If this had happened to me, I would probably have either called my bank by telephone or popped into a local branch to enquire. Only if the response was not acceptable and, if appropriate, they didn't make any corrections within a short, reasonable, agreed timeframe would I have gone into writing. Often results in a quicker and stress free resolution.

Anyway, at least by writing you'll have a response you could later rely on if it proves necessary. Let us know what they say in their response if you need more help.

jay-jay

Thank you I really appreciate your helpful replies, will keep you posted on the results.

davidgmmafan

Itsnot by any chance Barclays is it? Just I remember they were featured in a documentary for doing just that. The staff got £10 for each upgrade and this was clearly open to abuse. If so it may be relevent to mention it.

I think some banks did do upgrades and say it was free for three monhs but IMo they are on very dogy ground indeed.

jay-jay

yes its Barclays