Unpaid item charges, can I claim back?

holdorflod

I have two bank accounts, one with RBS which is my secondary account. I mainly used it to make online purchases through Paypal.

I made several purchases through Paypal which went through immediately but then I got emails saying I didn't have enough money in the RBS account so it used my other account (Lloyds) to make the payment. Fair enough, I thought that wouldn't be a problem.

But now I've looked at my RBS account online and it's -£140 overdrawn, and I don't even have an overdraft. The whole -£140 is purely unpaid item fees from when this happened with Paypal purchases.

I just rang RBS and the advisor told me there's nothing he can do about it since it's due to purchases and direct debits through Paypal. I've just now removed RBS as a funding source on Paypal, but I want to know if there's a way I can claim back these charges somehow? It seems unfair to charge me since I paid for the item with my Lloyds account so it's not as if I've gained any credit with RBS or anything, the -£140 is purely charges without me getting anything from it because I ended paying for the items with my Lloyds account.

I'm not sure how to proceed, because I've already called them. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

w00519772

What does your RBS statement say? Was the £140 debited and then credited at a later date (because of lack of funds)? If this is the case, then it sounds like RBS have charged you for going overdrawn for x days.

If this is the case and you have never gone overdrawn before then I would explain what has happened to RBS and ask them to refund the £140 as a gesture of good will. Some banks do this the first time you go overdrawn if it is a genuine mistake.

It may be better to write to them by email or letter.

I am no expert though - just offering an opinion.

holdorflod

w00519772 wrote: »

What does your RBS statement say? Was the £140 debited and then credited at a later date (because of lack of funds)? If this is the case, then it sounds like RBS have charged you for going overdrawn for x days.

No, the £140 purely consists of several unpaid item charges e.g. £10 here, £20 here, £60 there. None of the £140 is actual credit for the unpaid items, all those items were paid in full using my Lloyds account.

Basically what's happened is I've had say £1 in my RBS account and I've made a purchase on Paypal and then got an email from Paypal saying there wasn't enough money in my RBS account so it used my Lloyds account instead.

I did this several times thinking nothing of it, but each time I did this RBS charged me an "unpaid item fee" several times totaling £140.

dunstonh

In simple terms, RBS have had to bounce the items. Once they have been bounced, Paypal have gone on to use the second card on the account. Each time costing you an unpaid payment charge. Quite normal.

If this is a first time mistake from you the bank may well offer a goodwill refund (they usually do on first time with good accounts). If its a repeat offence then you usually do not.

holdorflod

dunstonh wrote: »

In simple terms, RBS have had to bounce the items. Once they have been bounced, Paypal have gone on to use the second card on the account. Each time costing you an unpaid payment charge. Quite normal.

If this is a first time mistake from you the bank may well offer a goodwill refund (they usually do on first time with good accounts). If its a repeat offence then you usually do not.

Thanks, this actually happened over a fairly long period of time (a few months) since I didn't really check my RBS account for ages and made several Paypal purchases thinking it would be ok since the money ends up coming off my Lloyds card anyway.

Is there anything I can do or do you think I'll just have to pay them the charges? I've tried ringing them already and the advisor said there's nothing he can do.

[Deleted User]

holdorflod wrote: »

Is there anything I can do or do you think I'll just have to pay them the charges? I've tried ringing them already and the advisor said there's nothing he can do.

I can't see you having any success with having the charges refunded if you've already requested this and been declined. However, if you can show that you are in financial hardship, the Bank may consider a refund if you send them a formal written request and explanation.
In future, I'd just have one bank account and keep it in the black.