£1.08 Overdrawn - First Time Offense in 10 Years - Barclays Refuses to Waive £22 Fee

Adams1

Hey.

To keep the story short, my mother has owned a bank account with barclays for at least 10 years now, not once has she ever gone overdrawn, and has kept a good history including paying back a £3,000 loan within a year with no hiccups.

On the 9th of Febuary, she went overdrawn (geniune mistake) with an ATM withdrawl as apperently the ATM showed that she had £10.XX remaining. (this is after she made a transaction at Aldi's for £1 just minites before)

Yesturday (ironicly within 24 hours of the overdraft) a letter showed up telling her she went overdrawn by £1.08 and that she now has to pay a fee of £22.

I called up to ask if the £22 "fee" could be waived as it was her first offense in all these years, and shes never gone overdrawn before in her life. I also mentioned that she is currently on JSA and can barly manage with such low income, and £22 is something that she just WON'T be able to pay back in such circumstances, asking for a bit of common courtesy.

Yet, the sad little voice, that couldn't care less (btw, I'm speaking to some manager, somewhere, half way across the world) telling me that my mother has no other option but to PAY the fee as it was not a bank error, or fraud. As much as this makes sense... But for £1.08??! It's called a little common courtesy, and its something that is widely practiced. I'm with HSBC myself, and I tend to go overdrawn here and there by a couple of pounds, but because I am within a reasonable £10 limit, my next paycheck covers it and no fees are charged.

I'm sure there must be a way to have these charges waived on some basic moral grounds alone. I was going to go into the bank to speak to a manager but I thought I'd ask here before I go in.

I just don't understand this cold hearted cruelty. I remember back in the day when she had money, although not a lot, she took out a £3,000 loan, and paid it back with no hiccups within a year.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Lokolo

They're a business, not a charity.

mclaren32

I would pop into a branch with her, common sense should prevail. Although I dont work for Barclays I would consider a refund given those circumstances.

Adams1

mclaren32 wrote: »

I would pop into a branch with her, common sense should prevail. Although I dont work for Barclays I would consider a refund given those circumstances.

Thanks, I'll go before the banks close today, in the mean time I'll wait for some more advice.

Thanks again!

PudseyDB

I'm surprised to be honest. Like you, I've occasionally overdrawn by a few pounds (always less than £10) with HSBC and since I've always transferred money in and cleared it within 24 hours I've never had any letters.

How did they even manage to send her a letter in less than 24 hours?

vaporate

Lokolo wrote: »

They're a business, not a charity.

A punitive business at that.

If they do not refund the money then move banks straight away.

Try get an account where you can not get overly shafted by going overdrawn. I.e no facility.

Paul_Herring

Adams1 wrote: »

Yesturday (ironicly within 24 hours of the overdraft) a letter showed up telling her she went overdrawn by £1.08 and that she now has to pay a fee of £22.

This is the "reserve fee." Letters went out a few months back offering customers the opportunity to opt out of it.

The alternative, if she had opted out, would be an £8 per item fee while within the unauthorised overdraft.

From what you describe, she might be better off without the Personal Reserve.

It might be worth making this point when you talk to them next.

Oldbiggles

Trying to sort these things out over the phone is a complete waste of time. Remember that most of the employees at banks are bonus driven so will try to get you to drop any claim and go away quietly. Put your complaint in writing to Head Office but keep it polite. If the reply is negative then write again to show you are not giving up. You will have to cover the overdraft though as otherwise the account will incur even more fees.
Good luck, I hope your Mum gets her money back.

Lokolo

PudseyDB wrote: »

I'm surprised to be honest. Like you, I've occasionally overdrawn by a few pounds (always less than £10) with HSBC and since I've always transferred money in and cleared it within 24 hours I've never had any letters.

How did they even manage to send her a letter in less than 24 hours?

That's because HSBC T&Cs state that if you go unauthorised overdraft of £10 or less, they will not charge you.

Barclays however, do not have this.

Planeshift

You walk into her branch with her and ask to see the manager, when the manager comes out you explain what has happened, her history ets. Then you take out the cash she owes and put it on the table. You offer the manager a choice, he or she can take the cash to cover the fees and overdraft and close the account, or they can waive the fee as a gesture of goodwill and ensure your continued custom.

zppp

Planeshift wrote: »

You walk into her branch with her and ask to see the manager, when the manager comes out you explain what has happened, her history ets. Then you take out the cash she owes and put it on the table. You offer the manager a choice, he or she can take the cash to cover the fees and overdraft and close the account, or they can waive the fee as a gesture of goodwill and ensure your continued custom.

If you believe that you would swing a branch manager's decision by taking the money out and putting it on the table and giving them an ultimatum then you are very niaeve.