NatWest

Restless_2

Thanks for the advice. You're probably right about my old overdraft not being entirely interest-free. However, I'm sure I would have noticed if £60 was being taken out of my account each month, so I'm pretty sure the rate has increased dramatically. I'll see if I can fish out any old statements to confirm my suspicions and will talk to NatWest again now the 90-day 'clawback' period has elapsed to see if they're willing to move me back to a Current Plus account.

Thanks again!

natweststaffmember

the clawback is irrelevant to you with regards to downgrading the account. "clawback" is the reason why staff probably misled you but means nothing in general terms. You need to pursue misleading advice ie you cannot change it back if you have it for more than 14 days.

richt71

Just had a right go at Natwest as I paid some money into my account last monday to cover a direct debit. I paid it in at 9.30am. Apparently the DD went out at 6am on the same day and left me 83p overdrawn. Natwest have now kindly charged me £38 'service charge'. Oh well I shall start claiming that as well.

Blue_1875

Help, I've had a letter today saying that I will have to pay a charge of £28 at the end of the month for going 36p over my overdraft limit. At the time I put more money in to cover it as soon as I found out I was overdrawn. I did ask the cashier if I would get charged and she said I should be ok.

I have'nt done anything like claiming money back from the banks before. What should I do???

I think a £28 charge for 36p is a bit harsh.

Olives

Hi guys
I am in the process of shutting down a Natwest account. The story goes that I have been on the edge of overdraft for a little while now. Last month I was struggling a bit (bad month). I contacted the bank and wanted to temporarily extend overdraft. To cut a long story short advisor suggested a loan and said it would take a week to sort out. In fact it took longer than 2weeks.In the meantime various phone calls and comaplints later DDs and cheques being bounced all over the place was left with some very heavy charges. After a BIG complaint later they said as part of a goodwill gesture they could refund three of the charges(not much really). They also extended overdraft evenmore and want £80 a month repayment. So I agreed and have quickly opened a new account a getting everything transferred.

The thing is all my money that went into that account was Childrens Tax and DLA and Child Benefit. All these charges were coming out of that. Can i try and claim these charges back using the template letter with the means tested benefit bit left in. My husband does work full time but his wages goes in to a completly different account.

Any advice ould be very much appreciated

natweststaffmember

I think you will find that the bank will say that there is no real genuine hardship in this case as they have refunded some of the charges. Did you complain to customer relations unit on that delay? If not you could possibly for other charges but my gut feeling says you spoke to a collections team by phone.
To be honest with you I would use Martin's advice on the forum and claim the charges back although we are currently awaiting the OFT test case preliminary hearing.

natweststaffmember

I will deal with both points. Richt- the terms and conditions state that money has to be paid into the account the previous working day prior to a direct debit/standing order/cheque going out. Paying money into(I think it could be a step account) will incur an unpaid item charge of £38.
for Blue 1875, if the account goes any amount over an agreed or unagreed overdraft then the amount of £28 is charged. For example if you had zigzagged over and within the overdraft facility within one charging period then the charge would only be one of £28.

For both of you, please read Martin's article about reclaiming charges back although we are still awaiting the judgement on the OFT Test Case.

Olives

Thankyou natwestsatffmember.

I did complain to complaints dept as it was them who said I could have some of the charges back. I wanted to go for all charges over the past 5 years as this will probably clear the O/D anyway. It is my understanding though that means tested benefit cases are not necassarily stayed though as they are classed as hardship cases. I am I right in thinking this and do you think I am elegible for this

Orford

It is my understanding though that means tested benefit cases are not necassarily stayed though as they are classed as hardship cases. I am I right in thinking this and do you think I am elegible for this

You're right.....in theory. In practice, very stays have been lifted, even where claimants have clearly demonstrated severe financial hardship<!-- / message -->

lewt

Hi i woke up to check my account this morning and they have charged me £38 quid for a DD with paypal that i didnt even know i had or i would have had money in their to pay it. i aint had charges in years and i have never reclaimed from this bank.

so with all the experence here what do people think the best form of action is?

ending all links with the bank and moving elsewhere?
calling and asking for it back nicely?
orr going down the letter route?

the bank is natwest btw. thanks