Natwest Charges - Help/Advice

Arthur-Spooner

Hello, i have a story on some charges i have gotten on my Natwest account, hoping people can advise me on the situation. I have read some similar posts but would like more info on my case.

Over the past few months, i have noticed bank charges every single month on my account for the fee of £6.95. I should of acted as soon as i saw the charges, but i forgot and let it continue.

Until today when i checked my online back, and saw that again i have had another bank charge of £6.95, and an extra one for £20.00 all on the same day (28th June 2010)

After some investigation on my part and scanning forums/natwest bank charges, it seems that i have fallen under the category of being an 'Advantage Blue' subscriber. This is were the problem begins.

I have had my bank account with Natwest for around 15 years now (Im 18 currently) Near the beginning of the year, on a one off bank visit, i was asked to upgrade my account to a student account to get some 'benefits' I went into the small room, and the lady explained some of the benefits of having a student bank account (I was in my 2nd year of college, just finished) - I agreed to the student account, knowing i would never use the benefits anyways, but as a student, i might as well have a student account. At the time the lady stressed to me that i would need a minimum of £5.00 in my bank at all times.. I still don't understand why, but it could answer some questions.

After signing upto the 'student account' (From my knowledge) i received several documents, didn't read many, but i faintly remember the panflets being Blue (Bringing me back to thinking that they signed me upto an Advantage blue account)

The problem being now is. Am i entitled to any of the £6.95 back? Can i cancel my 'Advantage Blue' account (That is even if i am signed upto it, my online bank say my account is a Current Plus account) and what was the random charge of £20.00 (It wasn't an over-draft charge, as i checked my account, i had no minus charges and enough money was always in my account)

Im hoping somebody could assist me in this, thank you.

Jojo1daffy

Ask the bank..? They will know what the charges are and why they have been applied and will check what sort of account you have so that you can verify if the charges are incorrect. Maybe ask to see the terms and conditions of your account.

Arthur-Spooner

Jojo1daffy wrote: »

Ask the bank..? They will know what the charges are and why they have been applied and will check what sort of account you have so that you can verify if the charges are incorrect. Maybe ask to see the terms and conditions of your account.

My plan is to ring them first thing in the morning, im just checking if anybody has some precedent on situations like these, as in has anyone had any success/fail stories in the exact situation.

zppp

Arthur-Spooner wrote: »

My plan is to ring them first thing in the morning, im just checking if anybody has some precedent on situations like these, as in has anyone had any success/fail stories in the exact situation.

The £20 is for going overdrawn. The £6.95 monthly fee is preadvised in your monthly statement. You have 3 weeks notice before the charges are debited. IMO they won't look to refund you anything, all I would suggest is downgrade it by writing or going into the branch.

Arthur-Spooner

zppp wrote: »

The £20 is for going overdrawn. The £6.95 monthly fee is preadvised in your monthly statement. You have 3 weeks notice before the charges are debited. IMO they won't look to refund you anything, all I would suggest is downgrade it by writing or going into the branch.

I have my online bank statement open right now, i wasn't over drawn at anytime, and have never been over drawn in about 3 years, and that time being an accident, for which i paid for.

As for the pre-advised, do you mean im being given notice that they are going to charge me?

zppp

Arthur-Spooner wrote: »

I have my online bank statement open right now, i wasn't over drawn at anytime, and have never been over drawn in about 3 years, and that time being an accident, for which i paid for.

As for the pre-advised, do you mean im being given notice that they are going to charge me?

Click 'Statements' then 'View Pre-advice of charges and interest on screen'. To trigger a £20 fee you had to have been overdrawn. I would suggest looking at your statements for the last 3 months to find out when.

Arthur-Spooner

zppp wrote: »

Click 'Statements' then 'View Pre-advice of charges and interest on screen'. To trigger a £20 fee you had to have been overdrawn. I would suggest looking at your statements for the last 3 months to find out when.

Thank you, it seems that in the process of them taking the money, i left my self short thinking i had money in my account a few months back. But ofcourse my fault.

I think my many years of service to Natwest will come to an end tomorrow after an interesting phone conversation.

imback

Hi,

Everyday I check my accounts and transfer any money to accounts that appear to be going overdrawn or about to during the day (all online).

One day I checked my account (Natwest) and in the morning it appeared as if I needed to transfer some monies (PM). The
monies drawn from the account was all acceptable and I knew
them and the account was back in credit.

Then the next day I checked I was shocked to see the account
was charged £20 charges and an additional £60 charges and also
£14 for interest.

Devastated as there were no indication, warning, notification
of the amount of charges or the timing of them.

For one that has a very small amount incoming and nearly
always hitting a limit to be charged nearly £94 for being overdrawn
is debatable criminal.

I have been a loyal customer of the bank for over 16 years, business, children, personal etc and being hit with
these charges and based on a time difference for a low income
family. I am disappointed.

If these charges were added during the day without prior
warning of the amount how can one run accounts and
from your bank who you trust too.

imback

If one was to equate these charges to credit card interest rates per month on accounts then it would be easier to roll on the debts to credit cards (if one keeps in credit on the cards and interest only is payable)
for an overdraft of £1000 to be charged in a cause of a month some £94 for a few days overdrawn.