Overdraft and charges...

marc.faulkner

Hi,

I'm new to posting here, but have been reading for a long time. I hope that I will be able to become a regular contributer.

I'm after a bit of advice regarding my Barclays Additions Current Account. This account is primarily operated in credit, with only a tiny overdraft (£10) to cover any small shortfals when meeting any DDs or SOs which are debitted in the day or so before payday. I have only used this overdraft one one occassion.

I'm due to be paid tomorrow (well, overnight) however I found myself running short of funds. I called Barclays on Monday and asked them to extend the OD to £20, as I knew I had a number of commitments this week (rent, telephone) and I also needed to stick some petrol in the car. They agreed to this quite happily.

All of my payments went out fine, and bought £10 petrol yesterday using a 'pay @ pump' with my Visa Connect Debit Card.

I've just, a few minutes ago, logged into my online banking to check the date of a couple of payments - so that I know how much money I have to play with in the run up to xmas. I was horrified to discover that I have been charged a £30 "Paid Referral Fee" which seems to relate to my £10 petrol purchase. This purchase took me to -£17.75 OD, which should be within my £20 limit. However, the OD limit is still showing as only £10.

This fee has now taken me to £47.75 OD :mad:

My first question is, are Barclays likely to refund this fee, as it is due to their error? Also, will this, in any way affect my credit score/file? I have been working hard to build my credit worthiness as I am only young and have no history - however I would like to be able to secure a mortgage in the next couple of years.

All feedback appreciated.

Thanks,

Marc

Homework

Phone them and ask them where the £20 overdraft is (nicely) and when they check that you called earlier in the week they can sort it out for you and refund the charge.

If there is no note to say about the increase insist nicely that you called and ask for them to remove the charge as you have not done this before and that you did call them on and was told it would be increased.

Hope it goes well

bengal-stripe

It is always a good idea, to take a note of the operator’s name (ask, if you didn’t get the name) as well as the time and date of the conversation.

marc.faulkner

I'd just like to say, massive thumbs up to Barclays :T

I called into my local branch this morning, and had a quick work with the banking hall manager. I expalined to her that I had requested an increase to my overdraft via telephone banking, and that I had been told it had been increased. I expalined about the charge etc.

She brought all of the details up on her system, found a note from the advisor (Tom) and also confirmed that it was their mistake.

She has refunded my £30 charge, increased my OD to £50 (Just in Case) and also credited my account with £10 compensation, as a goodwill gesture.

So, all in all, I'm well chuffed.

taless

I've never driven in the UK before, so never got to fill up here. But I understand that in some places (like German), where you swipe your card before you fill, they will put a certain amount of your card on hold (take it off available balance), then after you finish your fill they will charge the right amount to your card. I wonder if that is the reason behind the O/D charge, as you're considered in unauthorized overdraft if your available balance goes negative.

But anyway, congrats Marc.Faulkner for your refund!

Homework

I think it is always better to go to them with the enquiry than jump in all guns blazing. Fantastic that you got it sorted so quickly.