The only way?

Okeanos

Hi all,


I know there's hundreds of threads here on the same topic but I can't find an answer specific to my situation...


I've always been a bit of a nightmare for dipping into my overdraft. From Dec 2012 - Nov 2013 I was travelling Australia and I had a letter from my bank (Santander) a couple weeks back saying I paid over £700 in overdraft fee's whilst I was out there (I was 19 and obviously didn't have a care in the world :beer: ). I'm now in the process of joining the Navy so I'd prefer not to get involved with the FO etc and have my financial situation come under scrutiny for being in the middle of a claim against the bank (the security clearance procedure is very thorough)...
Call me naive but can I not just call and say ''hey, fancy giving me some of that back?'' :rotfl:
Are they likely to pay out without the threat of going to the FO etc?


Any help would be appreciated

dunstonh

Call me naive but can I not just call and say ''hey, fancy giving me some of that back?''

You can. They have no reason to give you any back and you were not in financial hardship. So, they can choose to refuse if they want. But they may offer a small goodwill refund.

Are they likely to pay out without the threat of going to the FO etc?

You havent said what your basis for asking for the money back is. I assume by FO you mean FOS. The FOS cant force a bank to pay charges back unless it is about incorrect application of charges. It can only encourage a bank to treat you fairly if its about financial hardship. However, if you are just trying to get them to pay a refund of published charges for no other reason than just asking then that isnt what the FOS is about.

Okeanos

Thanks, yeah I wasn't in financial hardship I just personally feel I've given them a load of cash for nothing. I have only myself to blame but still a bitter pill to swallow!


I'm not going to the FOS. I should have made that clear. I guess I was trying to ask what are the odds of them offering a goodwill refund and what's the best way to ask...

dunstonh

You never really know how a bank will look at it. It depends on so much. Even things like if your parents bank at the same branch and they run their accounts well and have a good relationship with the branch can influence a decision on you.