We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Mis-sold current account and possibly credit card?

Hi all,

Forgive the long post, after a bit of advice if possible.

Upgraded my Natwest account from a junior to adult one in 2007 as I'd just hit 18 and was on a gap year before uni.

The advisor I met didn't allow my parents into the room even though I asked if they could attend. Considering I was 18 I'm not sure where I stand with that to be honest, but I don't think I can base a complaint on that.

The advisor asked the usual questions - would I be going to uni, would I need a student account, was I thinking of travelling in my gap year, etc. I said yes to all, and she recommended and signed me up for an Advantage Gold account, a student account, and a Mastercard Credit card with a 2400 limit.

Suffice to say things have gone wrong since and all three accounts (including AD Gold as I had an overdraft put on there which became exceeded) are now defaulted due to unemployment in late 2011 and with their collections departments as I defaulted on my CC.

I've arranged a repayment plan with CAB and Natwest have so far accepted it. I know there's nothing I can do with the student account or CC, my stupidity is my downfall on those. The overdraft on the AD Gold account is also my fault, but is the account I'm thinking of raising a claim against.

I was only really told about the mobile phone insurance on the account, and the fact at the time the account came with a 'discount card'. I subsequently found that useless as no-one seemed to accept it anywhere. I was also, best of my knowledge, not made aware of an alternative free account, as the advisor told me the AD Gold would be the best one for me as I was considering a gap year abroad - I never went unfortunately.

Is there a base to a claim for the package account fees there, at all? Would it be worth me going to my local branch or mailing off a request of historical account details with the 10 pound fee, even though the account is now defaulted and in collections?

Sorry again for the long thread, just wondering if it's a feasible option. I also had bank charges coming out of my ears with that account for overdraft fees, although they were my fault and it seems the banks have managed to tighten up on how they can wriggle out of paying any of them back.

Thanks for reading!

Comments

  • gjchester
    gjchester Posts: 5,741 Forumite

    Upgraded my Natwest account from a junior to adult one in 2007 as I'd just hit 18 and was on a gap year before uni.

    The advisor asked the usual questions - would I be going to uni, would I need a student account, was I thinking of travelling in my gap year, etc. I said yes to all,

    I was also, best of my knowledge, not made aware of an alternative free account, as the advisor told me the AD Gold would be the best one for me as I was considering a gap year abroad - I never went unfortunately.

    The advice was based on your replies at that point in time, the fact you intended to travel would have been part of what made up that advice.

    The fact you didn't then have a "traveling" GAP year does not make the advice wrong, it was just circumstances changed after the advice was given.
  • I am trying to get hold of a company called AIMS review which apparently have my late mother-in laws will but can not contact them
    I have seen comments somewhere on her but need some help please
  • gjchester wrote: »
    The advice was based on your replies at that point in time, the fact you intended to travel would have been part of what made up that advice.

    The fact you didn't then have a "traveling" GAP year does not make the advice wrong, it was just circumstances changed after the advice was given.

    Ok, but I thought banks were obliged to make customers aware of a free account alternative? I didn't really know the first thing about bank accounts back then and the first one she started talking to me about was the advantage silver. It was only after the gap year mentioning that she went up to the gold one.
  • The advisor I met didn't allow my parents into the room even though I asked if they could attend. Considering I was 18 I'm not sure where I stand with that to be honest, but I don't think I can base a complaint on that.
    Indeed you can't, being 18 , you were old enough to arrange your own finances.
    Is there a base to a claim for the package account fees there, at all?
    No
    I also had bank charges coming out of my ears with that account for overdraft fees, although they were my fault
    You said it yourself!
    Ok, but I thought banks were obliged to make customers aware of a free account alternative?
    Why would they be?
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Mightyoxo wrote: »
    I am trying to get hold of a company called AIMS review which apparently have my late mother-in laws will but can not contact them
    I have seen comments somewhere on her but need some help please


    You need to start a thread of your own....
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • Indeed you can't, being 18 , you were old enough to arrange your own finances.

    But I gave permission for then to come in with me as is didn't know the first thing about bank accounts.

    No

    Personally think you're wrong. I was pushed onto a premium package account without any knowledge if a free alternative.
    You said it yourself!

    Yes, for the overdraft charges. I said i'm taking those out of the equation and focussing on the package fees. Read my posts properly before you dismantle them, please.

    Why would they be?

    Because it's their responsibility as a lender to make others aware of all the options, not just the one that makes then the most money? Considering they're supposed to be a financial institution? When I switched from Natwest to Lloyd's the first thing they mentioned to me was the free basic account.
  • But I gave permission for then to come in with me as is didn't know the first thing about bank accounts.
    I can't see any reason for complaint. If you were truly concerned, your parents could have looked over any finance you agreed to and then cancelled during the "cooling off" period.
    I was pushed onto a premium package account without any knowledge if a free alternative.
    But you told them you would be going on an extended GAP year adventure. It's not their fault you later changed your mind.

    Why do you think they would (or should) have pointed out a "free" alternative?
    I said i'm taking those out of the equation and focussing on the package fees. Read my posts properly before you dismantle them, please.
    So why mention them if they are not relevant to your "case"?
    When I switched from Natwest to Lloyd's the first thing they mentioned to me was the free basic account.
    By this time your circumstances were far different and you would clearly have mentioned that you were unhappy with the "service" from NatWest.
    They really don't have to point out free alternatives, they are not independent financial advisers-they are simply selling you their products.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.