Advice on reclaiming bank charges

bsclp118

So thanks to this forum and looking at my account details on Noddle I have finally (after years of thinking I didn't have any) realized I probably have quite a few bank charges on my accounts over the last 6 years.

So I am sending off letters to all 8 accounts to request records for the last 6 years. I can't afford the £10 charge for ALL of the accounts so I'm keeping my fingers crossed most of the banks will be helpful.

I'm not sure this is in the correct forum but I want to use any money I get back towards my debt. My question is I know I'm in financial hardship. My debts are 80 % of one years wage. How do I explain how the charges have got me in this situation? I mean they obviously didn't help but I don't have all my past bank account statements (many of the accounts are now closed) so I don't have specific examples and its going back so far my memory is rather hazy too!

Any advice would be most appreciated :-)

chrisjdw

In terms of packaged bank accounts you may get some back.
But in terms of legitimate charges like overdraft fees, unpaid direct debit charges cheques bouncing etc, in all honesty you may struggle.
Either call up the companies be nice and ask (gestures of goodwill from banks do happen, trust me )
Or complain