estimating bank charges over the years

ella1

hi
im on the phone now to hsbc to ask if i can claim without statements
ill let u know the answer in 5 mins

kirkie_2

Just wondered if you could write to all banks and just ask for your bank charges back.

ella1

hi just phoned you do need statements so you can write the date and exact amount you was charged.

dearohdear_2

I rang the Halifax this morning and asked for a full list of all my charges since opening my bank account 5 years ago. IU've no idea how much I'vbe paid but i reckon at least £500. The final straw came yesterday when I was charged £120 for three failed direct debits on Wednesday. I had a cheque in the bank which was due to clear on Thursday, so it was the last straw. I had no problem with requesting the charges - it cost me £5, but of course I don't know how long it will take to receive the list

kirkie_2

Thanks for that. The only problem I have is that I know the banks I have banked with but not the years....

dearohdear_2

You can claim for up to 6 yrs. The halifax told me when I opened the account and it was 5. I wasnt sure either

peaty

Hi,

I have written to both of my banks requesting a breakdown of charges - but as yet had no response. I am aware that the April is looming, and I am worried that I am going to miss out - if I don't get my claim letter in by the end of March. Can I send a letter requesting an estimated amount - or am I best off waiting to see what the bank send me?

Thanks in advance!

AlexisV

You're best off waiting.

All the charges over the last 6 years were illegal because of what the law states. The OFT may make an announcement, but they cannot immediately change the law on that day.
They may clarify and put forward recommendations for change, but the law currently states charges must be related to cost incurred and not be a penalty charge. So you still have plenty of time.

peaty

Curiously, I have just rung my banks to chase up the list of charges - Halifax have advised that they are so backlogged that getting sent statements is taking so long - that I can send in a letter estimated what I have been charged & what I am prepared to accept back from them!

Should I go for it?

Ant_(Crawley)

peaty wrote: »

Curiously, I have just rung my banks to chase up the list of charges - Halifax have advised that they are so backlogged that getting sent statements is taking so long - that I can send in a letter estimated what I have been charged & what I am prepared to accept back from them!

Should I go for it?

Do it...overestimate drastically and say you'll settle for £500 less. I'd go for £5000 (maximum under small claims court) and say your settle for £4500.

If you've been charged way under that you'll be quids in, cos I reckon they offer you about 66% of what you ask for. So you'd get about £3k.

Is your claim likely to be that much