Grrr Halifax - think Im gonna have to pay up small bank charges

riddlesticks

Hi all,

I posted the other day about £60 charges received from Halifax for unpaid direct debits. Ive just rung them after being advised by some lovely people on here and requested a refund. They have decided to refund the £30 charge but have said the first £30 will remain and they will charge me £28 for going into unauthorised overdraft. I asked them to explain what these charges where for and eventaully got out of them it was administration fees. I then questioned these charges and advised that I thought that these fees where ridiculous and not in proportion to the amount I have gone over. They then advised me AS A REMINDER that my overdraft allowance was actually £1000 less than what I had and that I could have my overdraft changed back and be expected to pay the £1000. I also questioned this and asked why they allowed me to have a larger overdraft if my allowance was £1000 less and they explained this is because my account has changed.

All I have to say is Grrrrrr. I am not impressed but I am terrified that they will change my account as I cannot afford the fees. I think Im just stuck with excepting them unless anyone can offer me some advise.

cuddly1

Sorry riddlesticks To be honest I am :eek: that they have done this to you and wouldnt think they could get away with it......try and get hold of Edinburghlass.........she is an :A and seems to be full of very helpfull info, good luck !!!!

Twinkly

riddlesticks wrote: »

Hi all,

I posted the other day about £60 charges received from Halifax for unpaid direct debits. Ive just rung them after being advised by some lovely people on here and requested a refund. They have decided to refund the £30 charge but have said the first £30 will remain and they will charge me £28 for going into unauthorised overdraft. I asked them to explain what these charges where for and eventaully got out of them it was administration fees. I then questioned these charges and advised that I thought that these fees where ridiculous and not in proportion to the amount I have gone over. They then advised me AS A REMINDER that my overdraft allowance was actually £1000 less than what I had and that I could have my overdraft changed back and be expected to pay the £1000. I also questioned this and asked why they allowed me to have a larger overdraft if my allowance was £1000 less and they explained this is because my account has changed.

All I have to say is Grrrrrr. I am not impressed but I am terrified that they will change my account as I cannot afford the fees. I think Im just stuck with excepting them unless anyone can offer me some advise.

Wow thats a threat, and not even thinly veiled ! Bank speak for: We are going to punch you hard a few times and if you complain we will break your legs.

Allowing the overdraft to go over the limit is irresponsible lending but you took the overdraft so its a bit of both here. The thing is to sort this mess before it gets out of control.

Personally I would claim back every single penalty charge over the last 6 years and damn them. If they keep adding charges your overdraft goes up and up and up with the threat of recall at any time. NOT acceptable.

Reclaim your penalty charges in full, every last one of them. They will probably be offset against the overdraft but that will bring it down. If they decide to recall the overdraft then you have rights and can come to a reasonable arrangement to pay a monthly amount. They can demand the full amount be repaid immediately but they can expect to wait for it based on your circumstances. Take advice on that if and when it happens.

For now, reclaim and good luck to you

riddlesticks

Twinkly wrote: »

Wow thats a threat, and not even thinly veiled ! Bank speak for: We are going to punch you hard a few times and if you complain we will break your legs.

Allowing the overdraft to go over the limit is irresponsible lending but you took the overdraft so its a bit of both here. The thing is to sort this mess before it gets out of control.

Personally I would claim back every single charge over the last 6 years and damn them. If they keep adding charges your overdraft goes up and up and up with the threat of recall at any time. NOT acceptable.

Reclaim your charges in full, every last one of them. They will probably be offset against the overdraft but that will bring it down. If they decide to recall the overdraft then you have rights and can come to a reasonable arrangement to pay a monthly amount. They can demand the full amount be repaid immediately but they can expect to wait for it based on your circumstances. Take advice on that if and when it happens.

For now, reclaim and good luck to you

Thank you both for your replies. Im still fuming. I know its my fault too - just havent been on the ball. I hate being in my overdraft (used to never be) but we have just got ourselves into a bit of a mess due to various reasons. We are currently trying to get back on our feet and our paying off our debts as much as we can.

To be honest this is the first bank charge I have ever received - its just come at a really really bad time (we are so broke!!!) and I cant really afford to pay them. I dont feel like I can go any further with this as I cant pay the £1000 at the moment. Thanks again for you help. I suppose its better to get it all out and someone to listen. xxxx