Reclaiming charges for bank accounts

EJ75

Hi,
I've managed to end up with a Barclays additions account that I pay over the odds for, but have never used the products/benefits...
- Can we claim back for these accounts?
- Has anyone successfully claimed back?

Thank you!

[Deleted User]

No, but you cancel it if you no longer need it.

EJ75

Deleted_User said:

No, but you cancel it if you no longer need it.

Hi,

That's different to the info I found on here about packaged bank accounts, so I'm confused
- What makes you say no?
- Importantly, I've never used any of the additions products

dunstonh

Most PBA complaints fail but some succeed.  The issue has been in decline as the banks are now in a position to use the timebar a lot of the time.
You can make your complaint and you may or may not be successful. It may not be considered at all if you are timebarred.  We cant really say much more than that as you are effectively asking us to second guess the bank.  

[Deleted User]

EJ75 said:

Hi,
I've managed to end up with a Barclays additions account that I pay over the odds for, but have never used the products/benefits...
- Can we claim back for these accounts?
- Has anyone successfully claimed back?

Thank you!

You can complain you were miss-sold but the problem is that the accounts have been around long enough that the banks have taken action to avoid bandwagon jumping people / claims firms who jumped ship from PPI. Under the financial industry rules, you have 6 years from taking out a product and 3 years from when you could reasonably have known you had reason to complain (whichever is longer) to put in a complaint or it can be time barred (meaning they don't need to look at it and you have no access to the ombudsman (FOS)). To trigger the 3 year clock, they send annual statements explaining the costs/benefits and free alternatives (they just need to show they sent it, not prove you received it) and one of those starts the time bar clock. Thus, if you took out the account before 3/2/2015 and they sent a letter before 3/2/18 then your complaint would be blocked.

Do note as an aside, most PBA complaints fail as the complaints against them are weak (like saying you didn't know you had it when paying £15 a month account fee) or didn't need it (then why take it out or keep it?) and it's usually easy to change to a free alternative.

You can start the complaint easily for free, usually on the bank website, just list your reasons and keep in mind it'll probably be rejected and see what happens. Don't use a claims firm