reclaiming charges, never been able to

thompson_2009

Hi

I keep seeing these claims for bank overdraft charges. I had an accidental overdraft of £12 some years ago and had to pay back over £400 even though I was out of work at the time. The back refused to let me off any sort of amount so had to pay back over £400 for a £12 mistake.

How is it possible to claim this money back. the bank was natwest.

[Deleted User]

It isn't.

If you're in current hardship, you can ask them for help.

dunstonh

How is it possible to claim this money back. the bank was natwest.

The banks won the court case on bank charges in 2009.  Since then it hasn't been possible unless the charge was incorrectly made (rare) or you are in CURRENT financial hardship and they may consider looking at your recent charges (typically those in the last 12 months). They also have other options which do not involve refunds.  Such as suspending future charges for a  period and putting you on a debt management plan.

thompson_2009

I was in real hardship at the time but that made no difference it was for a transaction that made the account go into an overdraft of £12 and I did not know about it for a long time. I was not using the account as I had no money and I was not informed by the bank that interest was piling up at all until I discovered what was happening. They had no sympathy and i had to pay over £400 for a mistake on a £12 transaction.

[Deleted User]

thompson_2009 said:

I was in real hardship at the time but that made no difference it was for a transaction that made the account go into an overdraft of £12 and I did not know about it for a long time. I was not using the account as I had no money and I was not informed by the bank that interest was piling up at all until I discovered what was happening. They had no sympathy and i had to pay over £400 for a mistake on a £12 transaction.

Unfortunately that doesn't matter, as above, you cannot claim back historical charges since the 2009 court case win. If you had asked for financial hardship help at the time it would have had to be looked at but since the case only current hardship is considered.

dunstonh

I was in real hardship at the time but that made no difference it was for a transaction that made the account go into an overdraft of £12 and I did not know about it for a long time.

The time to contact the bank was then.  Its too late now.

 I was not using the account as I had no money and I was not informed by the bank that interest was piling up at all until I discovered what was happening.

That is not true.  The bank sends out statements for you to read.  What you mean is that you did not read them.   Plus, logically, what do you think would happen with a debt that is subject to interest?

They had no sympathy and i had to pay over £400 for a mistake on a £12 transaction.

It is one of the risks of burying your head in the sand.  Sooner or later you have to face the consequences.  Not using the account probably hurt your chances a well as this would suggest you had taken your banking elsewhere.