Nationwide overdraft fees

gavcradd

Before I start, I know that this is a tiny petty issue, but it's the principle more than the amount...

I have a Nationwide FlexPlus account, for which I pay £10 a month. I have it because of the extras (travel insurance, break down cover, etc). the balance is usually close to zero because I pay £10 a month in via direct debit and the £10 charge then comes out. There's usually a few pence that has been earned via the minimal interest paid.

In March, I spotted a £1 overdraft fee on my account - I have no idea where this came from, looking back at my statements, at no point up until then does it ever show a minus figure. The balance at the time was 88p, so the £1 charge took me overdraw by 12p.

Anyway, I transferred over a few quid to make this back up as soon as I spotted it. I've today received an email saying that I have been charged £10.50 in further overdraft fees because I had been overdrawn in March, but the only reason I was overdrawn was because of the previous overdraft fee!!!

All in all, I've been charged £11.50 for being a grand total of 12p overdrawn, and even that I don't recognise. I'm now overdrawn because of this, so I guess the cycle will just continue next month. Hmm.

Just wanted to moan. I'm lucky that this is just an extra account for the benefits, I can see how people struggling for every penny would be massively hit by things like this. I'll be on the blower in a minute. Any tips?

smiley333

I don't have a flexplus account just a normal current account with nationwide and they did the same thing with me. I easily argued and had it refunded. Good luck.

john1002

After 3 months, we'll give you a £100 fee-free limit
After the first 3 months, we won’t charge you a fee if you slip into the first £100 of any arranged overdraft you have with us.

So you should not be charged the first three months are free as well so not sure how long you have had the account, I would complain.

In case they declined you an overdraft still complain but think about having say £10 extra in to cover such times as an overlap or bank holiday.

John

gavcradd

Not got an overdraft on there because I didn't think I'd need one - £10 in, £10 every month seems pretty straightforward. Certainly not been declined one. Thanks for the comments, I'll moan at them :-)

B_G_B

gavcradd wrote: »

I have a Nationwide FlexPlus account, for which I pay £10 a month. I have it because of the extras (travel insurance, break down cover, etc). the balance is usually close to zero because I pay £10 a month in via direct debit and the £10 charge then comes out. There's usually a few pence that has been earned via the minimal interest paid.

Not possible to pay into this account by Direct Debit.

TheShape

Obviously, dispute the overdraft charges if you are sure you didn't go overdrawn. Indeed, question them anyway as Nationwide will usually reverse a charge if you haven't had charges previously but ,with the FlexPlus account paying a very decent 3% interest, why didn't you keep a larger balance in the account?