planned overdraft bank charges

dabdab_3

just wondering if you are able to claim back charges on planned overdrafts if you're in financial hardship or is it only on unplanned?? my partner lost his job over a year ago, Im working but on min wage and we have a child. my partner no longer gets any benefits so we are basically a family of 3 living off 1 min wage.!my overdraft has been £2300 for past 3 or 4 years and haven't really been able to get out of it. It used to be charged at £1 a day up to £2500 but they changed it recently to £1 a day up to £2000 and £2 a day over £ 2000 so I'm now paying double, anything up to £64 a month. I just don't see a way out with all these extra charges

Wywth

dabdab wrote: »

just wondering if you are able to claim back charges on planned overdrafts if you're in financial hardship or is it only on unplanned?? my partner lost his job over a year ago, Im working but on min wage and we have a child. my partner no longer gets any benefits so we are basically a family of 3 living off 1 min wage.!my overdraft has been £2300 for past 3 or 4 years and haven't really been able to get out of it. It used to be charged at £1 a day up to £2500 but they changed it recently to £1 a day up to £2000 and £2 a day over £ 2000 so I'm now paying double, anything up to £64 a month. I just don't see a way out with all these extra charges

The MSE guide to reclaiming bank charges talks specifically "about charges and related costs for going beyond your overdraft limit, or bounced cheques and direct debits. Traditionally these were about £35 per transaction, but can now range from around £5 up to £35."
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges

If you are struggling with your debts, I would suggest you pop over to the Debt Free Wannabe board, pop your SOA on there (details in one of the sticky threads over there on how to do this) and ask for help there. I'm sure you'll get good advice to soon get you on your way back into the black

meer53

You can ask, but how will you prevent any charges in the future ? If they refund some of your charges but you don't address the way you run your account, the charges will just continue. If i were you, i'd call my bank and talk to them about your situation, better to speak to them now so they're aware of your problems. I'd also give Stepchange a call for advice.

dabdab_3

Thanks guys, I'll look into that. Was a bit worried about contacting my bank incase they demanded I pay it all back