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Bank charges but account not used

Hi

Just after some advice..... Me and my partner opened one of those accounts that charge you to have them. It has an overdraft we used the account once then paid back the overdraft... It was only £20. Since then the account had never been touched.... Apart from the huge fees they charge us every month. We went over the overdraft but paid it off I spoke to the bank over the phone who agreed to change the account to a basic one as I told them I wanted to close it. The woman's on the phone Said she marked the account so there would be no more charges going in it. However I'm being charged £80 a month!!!!!! I cannot afford to pay this back... However I must mention the following:

No ID was asked for when I met with the back to look into the account

No security checks were done to confirm who I was

They gave me application forms to sign BUT we never returned them! They still opened the account

The only people using the account is the bank itself issuing charges.

Is there anything I can do to get out of this without having to pay them?

Any advice is appreciated

Comments

  • SnowTiger
    SnowTiger Posts: 4,465 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Chucklebug wrote: »
    However I'm being charged £80 a month!!!!!! I cannot afford to pay this back...

    What are the charges for? You should receive notification of charges with an explanation of what they're for.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 10 June 2013 at 2:55PM
    I've bought a mobile contract, but used my mobile for a week only, then stopped using it. Why on earth does the provider keep charging me?

    I have a landline, but hardly ever use it. Why.....?

    ...

    ...

    Re the identity, it can often be checked without proofs.
    Re the application forms, account can be opened without them and the contract doesn't have to be necessarily signed. You accepted it simply by using the account for some time.

    P.S. have a look at MSE article: Reclaim Packaged Accounts
  • Have you done a proper check on the bank before opening an account? You can write an application or have a discussion about the issue with the bank personnel. You need to ask them the reason why you have been charged and ask them to show the bank manuals and rules.
  • JuicyJesus
    JuicyJesus Posts: 3,832 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Have you done a proper check on the bank before opening an account? You can write an application or have a discussion about the issue with the bank personnel. You need to ask them the reason why you have been charged and ask them to show the bank manuals and rules.

    What the hell are you on about?

    They publish the fees and charges, along with their terms and conditions, on their website. No other information is needed. And there's no chance they'll show a random punter the bank's "manuals and rules" (i.e. internal procedures).
    urs sinserly,
    ~~joosy jeezus~~
  • opinions4u
    opinions4u Posts: 19,411 Forumite
    Have you done a proper check on the bank before opening an account? You can write an application or have a discussion about the issue with the bank personnel. You need to ask them the reason why you have been charged and ask them to show the bank manuals and rules.
    The account was left overdrawn. Other charges were added. The customer made no contact.

    No need for dusting off the manuals. It wouldn't happen anyway.
  • grumbler
    grumbler Posts: 58,629 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 12 June 2013 at 3:07PM
    Guys, just read his another post and ignore him. He isn't for real.
    After many years you have to know this procedure for new posters.
  • jonesMUFCforever
    jonesMUFCforever Posts: 28,898 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    grumbler wrote: »
    Guys, just read his another post and ignore him. He isn't for real.
    After many years you have to know this procedure for new posters.
    Agreed!......:p
  • JuicyJesus
    JuicyJesus Posts: 3,832 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Unfortunately these days it's very hard to tell trolls on MSE from the genuine cretins. I'm still not sure about the guy who posted on the DFW forum a week or so ago saying he was going to take his 4 year old to Disneyland, paid for in cash, before going into a DMP.
    urs sinserly,
    ~~joosy jeezus~~
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