Natwest won't play ball!

ilovekt

I've written to Natwest 3 times now and received a big fat no each time regarding bank charges.

Across 3 accounts they total over £600. I met the financial hardship criteria (had to take lower paid job, cycle of charges can't be broken, income eaten up by charges etc) and have since lost my job, but they are still refusing!!

The latest letter says that the charges were lawfully applied and will not be refunded, which they say is supported by the Supreme Court judgement. They then say if I do not bring the accounts back into credit (ie. pay charges) then I will get a default on each account!!

No idea who is right and what I should do next.

I was made redundant a few weeks ago so my only income is £216 in benefits. Hubby gets £1450 but after outgoings has very little as we have a ridiculously high level of debt and are entering into a DMP.

Atidi

ilovekt wrote: »

I've written to Natwest 3 times now and received a big fat no each time regarding bank charges.

Across 3 accounts they total over £600. I met the financial hardship criteria (had to take lower paid job, cycle of charges can't be broken, income eaten up by charges etc) and have since lost my job, but they are still refusing!!

The latest letter says that the charges were lawfully applied and will not be refunded, which they say is supported by the Supreme Court judgement. They then say if I do not bring the accounts back into credit (ie. pay charges) then I will get a default on each account!!

No idea who is right and what I should do next.

I was made redundant a few weeks ago so my only income is £216 in benefits. Hubby gets £1450 but after outgoings has very little as we have a ridiculously high level of debt and are entering into a DMP.

Perhaps you should write again?

You know what they say? Third time lucky 'n' all that? Maybe it'll be fourth time for you? Who knows?

As they say, if at first you don't succeed, try try try again.

There's also some saying about doing the same thing over and over again and hoping to get a different outcome, but I wouldn't worry about that.

Do keep us informed how you get on

dunstonh

The latest letter says that the charges were lawfully applied and will not be refunded, which they say is supported by the Supreme Court judgement.

That suggests you have not made a financial hardship request but an "unfair charges" refund complaint. Did your letters to the bank go on about unfairness etc? If so, that is why you are not being considered.

If you make a financial hardship refund request then you must avoid any reference to unfair charges or similar wording. You need to get them onside as you are asking for a goodwill gesture from the bank. So, keep the language sensible and try to paint the picture so the person at the other end sympathises with you.

They look at bank statements. So if you have things like Sky tv, mobile phone, dining out etc on your statement then you are not in financial hardship.