Reclaiming bank charges from HSBC

Sameer

Hello
Apologies for making a new thread, but everyone seems to be doing it so maybe it's the best way to get this seen:

I have a HSBC current account with no overdraft set up. Over the past 14 months or so, my account has gone into the redzone several times. Charges have amounted to £770, and individual charges ranged from £20 to £150.

I wrote to HSBC asking them for my money back, using the template provided here:
http www dot consumerwiki dot co dot uk/index.php/Preliminary_Approach_For_Repayment,

obviously, adding in my specific details.

They replied back with two large folders, both of which contained large documents of terms and conditions for every year from 2004 till the present, along with a letter which basically stated that they feel they are confident that they have acted within the terms and conditions set out.

This seems to me to just be a scare tactic - sending me a huge volume of documents into order to dissuade me from pursuing my claim, but I thought I would verify it with the informed people who peruse this forum. Can I proceed with my claim, and if so, what should my next step be?

Further details: I use a VISA debit card on this account (the normal, silver HSBC one). Furthermore, all the charges are stated as 'pre-notified', but I do not recall ever being notified of these charges. I use online banking and was told that a large red notice should appear at the top of my screen when I log on. However, no such notice has ever been apparent to me, and even though I think I am probably due to be charged again, there is currently still no notice at the top of my screen.

A lot of the time, my account goes into the red simply because HSBC have given me an extortionate charge without informing me, whilst I am using my account normally, under the impression that no further money is going to be deducted. However, the combination of my normal spending and HSBC's extortionate charging means my account ends up in the red zone once more, and thus sets me up for another surprise charge in the next month.

Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

antrobus

Sameer wrote: »

...
I wrote to HSBC asking them for my money back, using the template provided here:
http www dot consumerwiki dot co dot uk/index.php/Preliminary_Approach_For_Repayment,...

Yes, there's a lot of pseudo-legal BS about on the interweb.

Sameer wrote: »

...This seems to me to just be a scare tactic,...

You sent them a pile of BS, they've sent you a bigger pile in return.

Sameer wrote: »

.... Can I proceed with my claim, and if so, what should my next step be?

As far as I'm aware there are only two ways to reclaim charges levied by banks;

- the first is to ask them nicely and they might let you off as a gesture of goodwill

- the second is to claim 'financial hardship'

Sameer

Thank you for your prompt reply.

So in effect, I don't really have a legal leg to stand on as regards claiming my money back, and I should just wave it goodbye?

Anarchist

Sameer wrote: »

Thank you for your prompt reply.

So in effect, I don't really have a legal leg to stand on as regards claiming my money back, and I should just wave it goodbye?

I'm afraid so. Not unless your kids are starving.

Sameer

I don't have kids. I could have kids and starve them, though.