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bank charges from debt. on benefits

I have been receiving bank charges because i have my account arrested due to a debt. The debt is related to council tax for a property which i had moved out 2 years previously.

It is a 25 pound fee every time because my account has insufficient funds.

I am on benefits. Jsa and housing benefit. Is there any way i can claim the money back? It has happened at least ten times in the past year.

Comments

  • stclair
    stclair Posts: 6,856 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You should cancel your direct debits to prevent future charges incurring on the account.

    You could try and claim the charges back under hardship if your on the rock and roll.
    Im an ex employee RBS Group
    However Any Opinion Given On MSE Is Strictly My Own
  • I have no dd. These are admin charges for having insuffucient funds.

    As my account is derived from benefits, is it even allowed. I read elsewhere its not.

    I sm in scotland btw.
  • dunstonh
    dunstonh Posts: 121,299 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    As my account is derived from benefits, is it even allowed. I read elsewhere its not.

    What you have read elsewhere is an old wives tale. It is not correct.

    However, if you believe you are in financial hardship, living with luxuries (so no mobile phone, paytv etc) then you can put a case to the bank and see if they agree with you.
    I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.
  • Wywth
    Wywth Posts: 5,079 Forumite
    doll_eyes wrote: »
    I have been receiving bank charges because i have my account arrested due to a debt. The debt is related to council tax for a property which i had moved out 2 years previously.

    It is a 25 pound fee every time because my account has insufficient funds.

    I am on benefits. Jsa and housing benefit. Is there any way i can claim the money back? It has happened at least ten times in the past year.
    doll_eyes wrote: »
    I have no dd. These are admin charges for having insuffucient funds.

    As my account is derived from benefits, is it even allowed. I read elsewhere its not.

    I sm in scotland btw.

    So you've read the rest, now read the best ;)

    http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/bank-charges

    It's all there, including:

    Note: this doesn't specifically cover the deduction of bank charges from your benefits under the Social Security Administration Act 1992 - this is an urban myth.

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