Unsure if charges would be classed unfair

loopylasslou

We got into a bit of trouble, a couple of months ago, when a DD took us into an unarranged overdraft. The charge for that month was £25. The next month, we un-itentionally went into an unarranged overdraft 3 times, giving us a charge of £75. Now its just getting worse. Because the charges put us £75 overdrawn (which they dont charge for if its their charges makin you OD), when our weekly Tax Credit went in, we only had £25 available to us, instead of the £100 & our DD, that would of been covered, had we not had Bank Charges taking it, caused us to go OD more. The past 2months we've had £125 charges, & same is due for next month. I dont know what to do anymore! The more charges we get, mean more transactions are taking us further OD, which means MORE charges. Without any charges, the £'s into our account would cover the £s going out, but now we'v been £125 down, before we've paid for anything!! This spirraling is terrifying Me! If we could stop the charges for just ONE month, we would be even again, but I cant see a way to do that! :'( Struggling to pay for main bills isnt my main concern - its struggling to buy enough food, come the last week of the month, for Us & Our 4yr old & 8month old!! Even when money does go into the account, we cant draw onit cos its been eaten up by the charges, not even putting us back into credit!
Does anyone think We may have a case to claim on? Im nervous about trying, because Im unsure if the charges are actually justified, for the bank!! PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks in advance!!

Little_Mo_70

loopylasslou wrote: »

We got into a bit of trouble, a couple of months ago, when a DD took us into an unarranged overdraft. The charge for that month was £25. The next month, we un-itentionally went into an unarranged overdraft 3 times, giving us a charge of £75. Now its just getting worse. Because the charges put us £75 overdrawn (which they dont charge for if its their charges makin you OD), when our weekly Tax Credit went in, we only had £25 available to us, instead of the £100 & our DD, that would of been covered, had we not had Bank Charges taking it, caused us to go OD more. The past 2months we've had £125 charges, & same is due for next month. I dont know what to do anymore! The more charges we get, mean more transactions are taking us further OD, which means MORE charges. Without any charges, the £'s into our account would cover the £s going out, but now we'v been £125 down, before we've paid for anything!! This spirraling is terrifying Me! If we could stop the charges for just ONE month, we would be even again, but I cant see a way to do that! :'( Struggling to pay for main bills isnt my main concern - its struggling to buy enough food, come the last week of the month, for Us & Our 4yr old & 8month old!! Even when money does go into the account, we cant draw onit cos its been eaten up by the charges, not even putting us back into credit!
Does anyone think We may have a case to claim on? Im nervous about trying, because Im unsure if the charges are actually justified, for the bank!! PLEASE HELP!!! Thanks in advance!!

You're right to get to grips with this now before it goes any further.
Terms and conditions tell you about charges for unauthorised OD so I don't think you would have a claim.

Although incurring charges may be unintentional on your part, for whatever reason, you can't blame the bank unless they've made a mistake and from what you have said in your posting that doesn't seem likely..

If this were me I would make appointment with the bank manager. Tell him/her "you want to pay this off and get your account straight again but the way it's going you don't have anything spare. As things seem to be spiralling downward you need their help to sort it out and would like them to consider an affordable repayment plan and also can they please put hold on further charges to give you some breathing space. Explain your position honestly and put yourself in their hands, apologise for overspending and keep calm. Have all your expenditure written down to take with you to verify your position. Be aware they will check your outgoings so, hopefully, there isn't any 'unecessary' spending to damn your case!

Once they are aware of your difficulties they should be able to offer some help. Book your appointment and say it's urgent. Don't be fobbed off, ask to see manager or someone in authority who can make decisions even if you have to wait a day or two, if they know it's urgent they shouldn't make you wait long.

Check your expenditure carefully. Just for the short term (and maybe beyond) see if there is anything in your budget you could cut back on - I mean really cut back/do without? Can you get some temp.extra work, to tide you over? Just a thought. You say struggling to pay main bills isn't your main concern but it should be because if your charges begin to affect that your state of affairs will only worsen and you seem to have nothing much to spare on a monthly basis.

Hope you get it sorted, I'm sure you will.
Good luck

Mo:)