bank making me go overdrawn!

falsesnail

Hi everyone. I'll try to make this as simple as I can.... I bank with Natwest and I don't have an arranged overdraft. The bank basically took a direct debit out 3 days before it was due and it was at the end of the month when I had very little left. This took me overdrawn and I actually never noticed until I had a whopping overdraft fee come through the post which came out 21 days AFTER my balance goes back into credit. Now this makes it very frustrating for me as it's always a few days before I get paid and like I said before, I have very little in my account. So you see, this has become a vicious circle and Natwest have just told me that sometimes they will just take a direct debit out if they think it will clear. They also won't give me an overdraft because they say I have overdrawn! The overdraft is not my fault, so can I claim charges back or get them to reverse the next bank charge?

dunstonh

The bank basically took a direct debit out 3 days before it was due

Banks have no control over the direct debit date. That is between you and the originator (company). Normally, the payments, if due at weekends and bank hols, go afterwards and not before. However, they can show early on online systems although the debit date is still afterwards.

I actually never noticed until I had a whopping overdraft fee come through the post which came out 21 days AFTER my balance goes back into credit.

They cant take the charge before. They can only take it out immediately or after a notice period when they tell you on your statement. The latter seems to have been the case here.

Natwest have just told me that sometimes they will just take a direct debit out if they think it will clear.

As Natwest have no control of direct debits at that level, that is rubbish. That is unless they were referring to the companies. Often a failed direct debit will be requested a week or two later on the hope money is in there.

They also won't give me an overdraft because they say I have overdrawn!

Going into overdraft without permission works against you.

The overdraft is not my fault, so can I claim charges back or get them to reverse the next bank charge?

you have no right to reclaim the charges. It is upto Natwest. Often a bank will refund on first error you make. However, if it is not your first error, they will probably not refund. If you do believe the company breached the direct debit regulations by taking a payment before it was due, then you can complain to that company (or consider activating the direct debit guarantee scheme - but that will give new issues).

First I would see if you are correct about the direct debit date error.