Bank refunded me charges without me asking

Andy00001

Hi guys I received a cheque in the post today refunding me for a bank change in 2004 that my bank say they shouldn't have charged . I never requested this.The letter goes on to say if the charges incurred other costs to get in touch . The thing is I got into difficulty back in 2004 and I went to the bank asking to get a load to consolidate my loans and cards as my hours at work had been cut . They wouldn't help me and I had to stop paying me debt . I have never tried to claim ppi back or anything like that as I didn't pay my debt but I believe the bank were lending to me irresponsibly until I asked for help when they wouldn't do a thing to help me . The question is could I receive other cheques in the post of other charges ? Should I try for ppi ? I feel the bank let me down big time but always though i shouldn't have borrowed so much and expected my job to always be secure etc

Any advice on this would be greatly great

-taff

The banks won the case on bank charges and these days you have to show you're in current financial hardship and even then, you may only get 6 months charges back

Andy00001

why after all Thai time have they sent me a cheque for a charge they say they shouldn't have charged me in 2004 ?

-taff

No idea...what exactly does your letter say?

You can complain about PPI certainly, they may use any redress against any debts outstanding.

Just one point, you are complaining they lent money to you irrepsonsibly, but you were after yet another loan at the time to consolidate. If you go to the debt free wannabe board, and search for consolidation, you'll see why it's such a bad idea for most people.

amersall

Was this BOS?, if it is then it is a scam.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5254954

It is possible other accounts may be doing this.

I received one of these for £50, account number is wrong and they also say that they credited my account with £50, this account does not exist so, how they managed to do a credit is beyond me.

I contacted BOS and they were not sure about this, although, they are looking back at old accounts and giving redress. I was told to take the cheque to HBOS and they should tell me if it is genuine!!.

I have not deposited it, the cheque is from Natwest and the address on it is not the same as the bank.

amersall

The thing is I got into difficulty back in 2004 and I went to the bank asking to get a load to consolidate my loans and cards as my hours at work had been cut . They wouldn't help me and I had to stop paying me debt .

This makes me even more suspicious, they could be after old debts.
This is mentioned on the link I posted.

If you think your refund is genuine, deposit it and let us know what happens.

Andy00001

Sorry for not getting back sooner my phone had a hissy for and had to reset it , yes it is bos and your right it is a cheque from natwest which made me wonder I'm suspicious about these things that's why I came on here I'm just about to look at your link and see what that says thanks I will let you know how I get on

Andy00001

Yes I was after another loan to pay off credit cards what were with the same bank as my hours at work had been cut in half and they wouldn't help anyway tbh that's water under the bridge and I have been building my credit back up and living with as little debt as possible . I've learned my lesson not to expect work to always be there etc and to live with in my means . I have never tried to claim ppi because I never paid a lot of debt back and am suspicious why I should get a refund .

Andy00001

Just read the link and don't know what to do I don't have the bank account anymore in know bank else where . I spoke to my mate about it being a trap and he says they can't do that ? He doesn't work with the bank or anything but is clued up in most things . Do you think trying to cash this check could open up a can of worms ? I ontop of things now and don't get debt letter for my old debt . I did have a call from a company about a year ago trying to collect debt from years ago . I told the woman that it was about 8 years ago and I thought you couldn't chase debt that far back . I never heard from them again . I wasn't trying to run away from my debt but the loss of hours then loosing my job completey made it impossible to pay the debt back . At the time I was advised from citizens advice not to pay a penny as I couldn't afford it and I would end up going bankrupt which was the best option for me but bos never took I that far

welshgasman

There was a period over a year ago where Lloyds were sending out very badly printed letters, more like photocopies, but they were genuine. That caused a stir on here.

The letter is probably written before the payment is raised, so if you do not have an account anymore that will bounce back to them. You might well have an account with them. the number of customers who leave a very small amount in an account and forget about is more than you think. The account should go dormant after a set period and no transactions, but often does not.

The links to the other thread states people have cashed the cheques and they have cleared?

The Natwest aspect is strange, though what have you go to lose by cashing the cheque.?

If it is from the bank, then the only thing I think they could determine is your account that you deposit it to, but I can't see them doing this, or even why?

amersall

Only one person on the other thread actually deposited the cheque and said it was cleared.
Other posters, me included, have not.

I would hate the op to bank the cheque and it is to get money for an old debt.

More would have to bank the cheque and have a positive outcome before I would even consider it tbh.