Barclays Bank Account - queries on what can be reclaimed

inquisitivewanderer

Just looking for some advice re my parents bank account.

They aren't the most financially savvy, and unfortunately over the years, haven't been in the best position. They quite often would throw out statements, and their organisational skills in terms of filing paper work etc, are completely lacking.

Having said that, I finally managed to get them to let me review the statements they had got over the weekend.

From what I can see, they have been paying 'overdraft ppi' of £3.20 for the best part of 10 years. Despite paying it for that length of time, they were completely unaware of what it was, and just put it down to the fact they have been in an overdraft for such a long time.
I am almost certain based on the information I have, that I can probably put a claim in for these charges via one of the templated letters on the MSE site.
However, do I need any "agreement" paperwork when they opened the bank account in order to do this? Because as above, they do not have said paperwork.

However, what is most alarming is they have been paying for their bank account since the early 2000's (unsure of the exact date). Originally a Barclays Additions account, at £15 a month, later to become a Barclays Premier Life account at £23 a month, they have been paying for this bank account on the premise that the bank had told them it was a worthwhile investment, in terms of cover for travel insurance, phone insurance, and home breakdown insurance (all of which they have never used).
Only this month, it has been reverted to a standard current account, but all I can see is that the premier life account they had been paying for has been disbanded into 3 separate "Packs" (home, gadget & travel), totaling £25 a month for the 3.

I know my parents have had this account since the late 90's when they took out a mortgage with Barclays, and I am conscious that they may have been missold it when they took out the mortgage itself

Just wondering if there are any others on the forum who have been in a similar situation, or had a similar experience with regards to bank account fees? Is it worth me trying to put a claim in for the bank charges as well as the PPI, or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Any info would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
L.

Nasqueron

You can complain about the packaged account yes, the bank will have records of it they ever used it so be careful (it would aid the complaint if, for example, they never travelled, had no car, had a serious illness that would cause the insurance not to payout, if they were over the age the travel insurance covered (check that)

OD PPI - you would need to explain why you feel it was miss-sold, such as not covering them, if it's on the statements they can't complain they didn't know about it for example.