a one off charge, is there anything i can do?

pennypitstop_2

Hi guys, great to read you're all fighting for fair play from the banks.

I only have a basic bank account with the Abbey, but have receieved a letter this morning saying they are charging me £70 for 2 standing orders which have been unpaid (1 for £10, the other for £25)... I had checked my statements and got dates wrong (the last months, the date has been on a weekend so was different)...

£70 seems extortionate for 2 Sos worth only half of that to start with! Does anyone know if there's anything I can do? It probably wouldn't be worth a small claims or the whole procedure Martin has outlined, but with it only being a basic account, the treat to leave (I want to anyway) may not mean much to them.

I'd be grateful for any advice on this one... is there anything at all I can do?

Thanks
Penny

nickmack

pennypitstop wrote: »

£70 seems extortionate for 2 Sos worth only half of that to start with! Does anyone know if there's anything I can do? It probably wouldn't be worth a small claims or the whole procedure Martin has outlined, but with it only being a basic account, the treat to leave (I want to anyway) may not mean much to them.

For small amonnts it's generally better to call up and ask politely for a refund. No need to get heavy unless they refuse.

You could then up the ante and mention it would be a shame to go to court over such a small amount. Remind them it will cost them solicitors fees, interest and court charges if it has to go that far.

Tell them you're a member of MSE and you believe the charges to be unlawful. Hopefully this should get you a refund. If not, you need to start the process in the Step by step article in my sig.

pennypitstop_2

Thanks, I'll give it a try nickmack. I'll post back to report the result, fingers crossed this is one example where the bank will be reasonable!

pennypitstop_2

Thanks so much nickmack, your suggestion worked!

In the past I wuld have never thought to challenge the bank, or if I was in a bad mood would have phoned up all guns blazing.... but being polite and simply asking on the grounds that it's unreasonable has worked this time and the Abbey have actually done me a favour! The £70 charge has been reversed (i didn;t have to mention the legal action either)

Thanks so much to Martin and all the MSE users out there, and nickmack for helping me out on this one,

Penny
xx

riddlesticks

Hi all,

As the title says I need a bit of help and advise. I have read the articles and some of the posts regarding reclaiming bank charges but I am still unsure what to do.

I have always been really good with my money and have never received a bank charge (until recently). Our financial situation is a bit dire at the moment and we are really struggling. I have been right at the end of my overdraft for a while now due to all unexpected payouts I have had to make. Usually I can manage my money and make sure there is enough there but this month I have not been well and not on the ball. I was due to be paid some money in and thought it would be paid in before my next two bills where due (but it wasnt - this is my own stupid fault). Anyway the first bill went out and it brought me over my overdraft. I was charged £30. Another bill went out which again brought me over my overdraft so I have been charged another £30. I did check my balance the other day to make sure I had enough to cover my last bill and I did but the first charge was also taken (which I was not aware of). Ok I know this is my fault but I havent really had internet access so havent been able to keep my account up to date. It was only when I managed to get back on the other day that I realised all this had gone on. I signed up for a paper free service so they emailed me to inform me there was a letter sent to my online bank account (these informed me of the charges) but as I hadnt much access to the internet I didnt get to see these and therefore wasnt expecting these charges. I am really really struggling money wise at the moment and cant afford to pay the £60.
What should I do?? Should I just ring them up and try pull at there heartstrings or should I send them a letter. I know the banks can change their minds as a good will gesture so this is why I was thinking of ringing. And if I do ring what way should I go about it. Has anyone done this and got their money back???
Thank you if you have got this far (sorry I didnt mean to right an essay!!!) and sorry if it doesnt make sense - am still poorly and have a fuzzy head :0(

GirlRacer_2

You could try ringing them and see what they say. Failing that send the letter from the template detailing your charges (date and amount of charge) and send it to the bank. Give them 14 days to repay the charges or your taking them to court. All the template letters are on the front page of the reclaiming page.

Edinburghlass_2

Have a read of the above posts for an immediate success

adon30

This is not quite about reclaiming charges on closed accounts but I could not find any other posts. So apologies if its in the wrong place.

My partner recently went overdrawn by £7 for 10 days on her Lloyds account. However they now want to charge her £60 + the 25p interest :eek:

I think this is an outrageous amount for sending an automated letter and it is also the first time she has ever gone overdrawn on this account (despite being close on several occasions).
They will not even offer her an emergency overdraft. What a ridiculous situation to be in. She has now got to pay over a days wages for being £7 in the red. Plus she will also have to pay the interest on the extra money from the bank at a highly inflated rate. This in turn leaves her £60 short paying her bills for the next month so will be an additional £60 overdrawn incurring yet more charges.

Has anyone else incurred such a high charge for a minuscule amount? Or had experience of confronting Lloyds about there charges?

Twinkly

adon30 wrote: »

This is not quite about reclaiming charges on closed accounts but I could not find any other posts. So apologies if its in the wrong place.

My partner recently went overdrawn by £7 for 10 days on her Lloyds account. However they now want to charge her £60 + the 25p interest :eek:

I think this is an outrageous amount for sending an automated letter and it is also the first time she has ever gone overdrawn on this account (despite being close on several occasions).
They will not even offer her an emergency overdraft. What a ridiculous situation to be in. She has now got to pay over a days wages for being £7 in the red. Plus she will also have to pay the interest on the extra money from the bank at a highly inflated rate. This in turn leaves her £60 short paying her bills for the next month so will be an additional £60 overdrawn incurring yet more charges.

Has anyone else incurred such a high charge for a minuscule amount? Or had experience of confronting Lloyds about there charges?

I was charged £30 on a £1.99 Direct debit that bounced one day before wages went in. Twice, so £60 for £3.98. My and my now ex-husbands Life Insurance was lapsed as a result. I was not a happy teddy.

As for confronting Lloyds, since their charges are unlawful regardless of their Terms & Conditions dont be intimidated. Its them who should be worried.

Tell her to start the reclaiming process and if possible switch bank accounts now to avoid being forced to pay more charges. If she cant at least open a basic bank account to have her wages paid into or arrange some other method of being paid in the meantime if thats possible. She will need to speak to her employer they can be very understanding in these cases. Then she can decide how to spend her own money. Good luck

frugalpam

adon30 wrote: »

This is not quite about reclaiming charges on closed accounts but I could not find any other posts. So apologies if its in the wrong place.

My partner recently went overdrawn by £7 for 10 days on her Lloyds account. However they now want to charge her £60 + the 25p interest :eek:

I think this is an outrageous amount for sending an automated letter and it is also the first time she has ever gone overdrawn on this account (despite being close on several occasions).
They will not even offer her an emergency overdraft. What a ridiculous situation to be in. She has now got to pay over a days wages for being £7 in the red. Plus she will also have to pay the interest on the extra money from the bank at a highly inflated rate. This in turn leaves her £60 short paying her bills for the next month so will be an additional £60 overdrawn incurring yet more charges.

Has anyone else incurred such a high charge for a minuscule amount? Or had experience of confronting Lloyds about there charges?

This is typical of what the banks have been doing to us for years. i agree with Twinkly - start the process to reclaim those charges!!

Pam

adon30

She contacted them and they would only refund half (£30) as it the only time shes ever been overdrawn in three years of having the account.

If she wants to reclaim the other half she will have to visit the branch in person. Which means arranging an appointment, getting her own time to make the appointment and then paying for travel and parking to get there. All for a ridiculous charge that she should not have to contest.

Bloomin banks!!