Help with RBS bank account - 15 year old

benjyy424

Hi all,

I am 15 - I have been running my own little business selling things on the internet since I was 10 or 11. When I was 13 RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) told me to book an appointment with the Business Manager who came from another branch to see me. I was told that I needed a business account by the Business Manager as I was using my current account for 'business purposes'. He couldn't set it up on the system because it actually said I was underage for the account, but he ended up getting me to fill out a form which allowed me to set it up. Anyway - I did so, and was sent a cheque book along with the usual debit card.

After having the account for 2 years and not using it once, without any notice they have started making me pay £10 a month in charges, and it has now been 3 months although about 5 months ago I said I wished to close the account and they never got back to me at my local branch. This account was empty, so today I received a letter saying I was overdrawn £30 (is this even allowed by law for a child to go overdrawn??). I am going to refuse paying this as I feel they are being quite horrible to me as I am only a 15 year old trying to make money to get me things I like and make life for my parents easier without me nagging them for money! I am not earning a huge amount, it is way under the limit for tax per year, it's just something I enjoy doing whilst making a little bit of money.

Do you think RBS is in the wrong here?
I think it's bad as kids these days are encouraged to earn money, then end up facing problems which waste time - which doesn't help with my GCSE's this year.
Trying to make MORE money than they already make out of me as a 13-15 year old is just a disgrace in my opinion.

And just to add, I have been banking with RBS for 5 years now and have been a loyal customer. Other than this they have been pretty good to me, at one point when I was 10 or 11, the manager from my branch bought me a pack of sweets and a hot wheels toy car for me which was I was so happy with as a little kid. Such a nice thing to do - I give the manager credit for that!

Thanks!

chambta

It's frankly ridiculous. You shouldn't have had a business account and you are too young to be charged for anything.

You should get every penny back without too much fuss.

At which branch did this ridiculous state of affairs occur?

benjyy424

chambta wrote: »

It's frankly ridiculous. You shouldn't have had a business account and you are too young to be charged for anything.

You should get every penny back without too much fuss.

At which branch did this ridiculous state of affairs occur?

It was the Alderley Edge branch. I am really frustrated about this.
Even better, the bank now opens less hours Mon-Fri 10AM - 2PM. What kind of opening hours is that?

Here is a quote from the letter:

"The Bank may use it's legal right to set off to clear outstanding debt if required and if funds become available".

And they are sending this to a child - shame on them. They can see my date of birth perfectly well. I have 3 accounts with them, I hope they don't have the right to take it from my current account because right now I am tempted to move to HSBC although they are probably no better :rotfl:

chambta

Are your parents/guardians aware of the issue or are you intending to sort it yourself?

dalesrider

benjyy424 wrote: »

although about 5 months ago I said I wished to close the account and they never got back to me at my local branch. This account was empty, so today I received a letter saying I was overdrawn £30 (is this even allowed by law for a child to go overdrawn??).

Thanks!

Who did you tell to close the account?

The fact that they never got back to you is their failure. Raise it as a complaint. That they have failed to act on your instruction.

One thing, you opened the account and have not used it at all. So how have you continued with your business in these 2 years?
Pretty sure they will have sent out notification of charges to you.
I take it that your address details are upto date with them.

benjyy424

chambta wrote: »

Are your parents/guardians aware of the issue or are you intending to sort it yourself?

Yes, they are, but I will sort out my own problems as they have theirs.

dalesrider wrote: »

Who did you tell to close the account?

The fact that they never got back to you is their failure. Raise it as a complaint. That they have failed to act on your instruction.

One thing, you opened the account and have not used it at all. So how have you continued with your business in these 2 years?
Pretty sure they will have sent out notification of charges to you.
I take it that your address details are upto date with them.

I wanted to close the account, because I can't afford their fees now that 2 years are over as I am not making that much money! I will be contacting RBS, so I will ensure I do that on Saturday as I have school during the week. I have been using my current account for trading because it is just easier for me.

This is the first proper notification I have received recently as I thought the account was cancelled! The previous notification was a month or so before the account was chargeable - and that is when I asked for them to cancel. They said it would be sorted for me - so I presumed it had been. Clearly the lady forgot at the branch because she said she would pass the message on the business manager but probably didn't by accident.

jonesMUFCforever

I suspect this little tale may not what it seems -internal checks made outside the banking manager would make sure this never happened.

benjyy424

I'm not sure - she said it would be sorted, and this was several months ago. But to be honest - I should've paid more attention, because it was never made 100% clear that I would have been paying £10 per month. I originally thought charges were only made for transactions, boy was I wrong.

I will be complaining, and hopefully they will take my age into consideration, and also the fact that I haven't used this account at all - and because I shouldn't have really been given a Business Account in the first place as a 13 year old!

BugsyBrowne wrote: »

Did you use your push bike for the appointment of the branch manager?

And it is hard for me to get an appointment, I am at school Monday-Friday until I get home at 4:40PM. And the Business Manager is the only person that can do it and they only work Mon-Fri only usually as far as I am aware. This is why I had to ask this woman (at the 2nd nearest branch to me which is open Saturdays). I'm definitely getting it closed this weekend & I will be speaking to the manager for sure about the charges of £30 if one is there.

BugsyBrowne

Did you use your push bike for the appointment of the branch manager?

benjyy424

It's ironic how RBS encourages 11-18 year olds to manage their own money, earn money or start up businesses - then when you do, they just try and rip you off by charing you for transactions and a monthly fee. It really disgusts me.

benjyy424

BugsyBrowne wrote: »

Did you use your push bike for the appointment of the branch manager?

I am at school Mon-Fri until I get home at around 4:40 - by which time most banks are closed, and the business manager (who can close the account) only works Mon-Fri as far as I am aware. I'll be going to a branch on Saturday and will be ensuring it's closed and will speak to the manager, if there is one, about the £30 charges on the account.