Reclaiming bank fees

Mattbennett999

Hi all, I have held a bank account with Barclays since I was around 12/13 (now 28 shhh) when I turned 18 I needed to update my account as I had become an "adult". I was told the only option was a current account which costs around £6.50 pm not knowing I had a choice I accepted and naively assumed that bank accounts all cost money. I was told about various insurances which I would be able to use, none of which I used as all my belongings were covered by my parents insurance and no claims have ever been made. I tried contacting them last year as I felt I had been miss sold but after 11 months of trying to get a response they decided I did not have a valid claim. Has anyone had any issues with Barclays and have any advice on what I can do.

jonesMUFCforever

Start a formal complaint.
Did they say why your claim was not upheld?

Be careful though - not claiming is not a missale in itself as we all buy various insurances for things but we do not get our premiums back if we do not claim.

Anthorn

As I understand it you can only reclaim bank charges if they are causing financial hardship. That means currently, not 15 years ago. To reclaim bank fees for an enhanced account you need to prove that the extras do not apply to you and you basically did not have the option to refuse it or the advice you received from the bank was faulty. On the other hand, if you don't agree with bank charges and/or fees don't get the account in the first place or close it.

DCFC79

Try another complaint or try the ombudsman.

Aquamania

Anthorn wrote: »

As I understand it you can only reclaim bank charges if they are causing financial hardship. ...

No, not packaged bank account fees; that's done on the basis of mis-selling. Anyone who feels they have been mis-sold can claim.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/reclaim-packaged-bank-accounts

Aquamania

Mattbennett999 wrote: »

Hi all, I have held a bank account with Barclays since I was around 12/13 (now 28 shhh) when I turned 18 I needed to update my account as I had become an "adult". I was told the only option was a current account which costs around £6.50 pm not knowing I had a choice I accepted and naively assumed that bank accounts all cost money. I was told about various insurances which I would be able to use, none of which I used as all my belongings were covered by my parents insurance and no claims have ever been made. I tried contacting them last year as I felt I had been miss sold but after 11 months of trying to get a response they decided I did not have a valid claim. Has anyone had any issues with Barclays and have any advice on what I can do.

When your complaint was rejected by the bank, the bank would have told you what options were still open to you.

In fact, they should have told you after 8 weeks as they obviously hadn't given their resolution by then.

In my experience, Barclays are extremely good at informing complainants of thir options at the appropriate time.

In the extremely unlikley event you were not advised either at 8 weeks or on their rejection, or at any other time, then refer to their complaint procedure.

daveyd1981

Morning all,

So following on from Martin's post, I used the link and submitted a complaint/claim not really fueled with optimism. As I've said to friends, I didn't have much hope because I wasn't sure of what I was looking at other than mis-sold packaged fees.

After a few letters, and text messages advising the complaint was being investigated, I received a call. The call was followed by a letter both of which advised me they continue to investigate.

To highlight I believe from initial claim to pay out was around 5 weeks. I bank with Barclays and it was a four figure payout but this is all I want to state in the public domain. I've held Additions, Additions plus and several other accounts. All had charges, each time I'd go to the branch, and be advised this was the best account for me.

My stance was that simple. I had no documentation to prove anything, everything was done in person. The saving grace is I've been with Barclays for about 20 years, therefore I could always submit a freedom of information request as to what accounts i've had.

So there you go, I think thats everything - thanks very much Martin for pointing this out. We're moving house and a baby on the way so the money has come in very nicely.

alanq

daveyd1981 wrote: »

... therefore I could always submit a freedom of information request as to what accounts i've had.

I assume that you meant to write Subject Access Request. Freedom Of Information Requests only apply to government and other public bodies.

daveyd1981

Either way it's not really relevant in this instance, and whatever the "title" any person can submit a request for information that relates to said person and whichever company it refers to legally has a set period of time to comply.

Call it what you will the process is the same.

Dar

Hi, I am in the process of reclaiming from HSBC for their advance bank account, however I am receiving phone calls from the bank to discuss why I was mis-sold, is this usual? I have sent all thr template letters from the MSE website

daveyd1981

I had a couple of calls from the bank, a number of letters. The bank upheld based on one of three accounts I've held with them. Just be open and honest with them.