Abbey took benefits even after I wrote them

sheashea1

Hi

Abbey advised me that i would be charged £68 in two weeks. The only income I have at the moment is child tax credits and child benefit. I paid the rent and some of the electricity bill and left enough for my phone bill on DD.

They took it today and put me in the negative and now I do not have any money. I had written them quoting social administration act...and they still took it.

I already successfully claimed the previous charges back!

Anyone know what I can do to get it back? Really need the help. Thanks.

dmg24

When did you write to them? It may not have been long enough for them to stop the charges going through?

Do you not receive IS or HB?

real1314

Firstly I'd say that the people quoting that banks cannot use benefits against bank charges are posting their opinion, not something that is hard fact.

Secondly, I'd say that Child Benefit and Child tax Credit are available to a wide rage of people - Child Ben is universal, Child tax is payable for incomes up to £50k ish, so the idea that those 2 alone could be used to argue that you are on the breadline is not a strong one (I'm not saying you don't have a low income, just that neither of those benefits demonstrates it).

Besides, you should also be eligible for some other income? Don't you get any form of income support? (assuming you are a single parent as you've said child tax and child ben are your only income?)

mookie

You do not say why your bank charged you but if it is due to going overdrawn without authority then those charges will apply regardless of whether the money is benefit as real1314 said it is peoples opinion that benefit should not be taken.

You say you successfully claimed your charges back previously. Having worked in a bank (i have left now) I can tell you that although some people have genuine reasons for going overdrawn or incurring charges, there are A LOT of people who feel that they will continue to do it because they will claim their charges back, plenty of customers have bragged they will do this, its no excuse for ignorantly running a bank account and will affect your credit rating on the account and if they ever need a loan or an overdraft. These people I add are people who have no funds but write cheques with a guarantee card knowing they have to be honoured or trying to get money from a cash machine that they have not got (banks allow some transactions because you could be in genuine need of money and your bank didnt help). I do not agree with how high charges are and I can understand the odd mistake here and there like writing a cheque from the wrong account or a direct debit being taken by a company on the wrong date but some people are just abusing the system and unfortunately this means that they have less understanding for those in genuine need.

Depending on how often you bank has charged you in the past will make a difference to how understanding they are about refunding these charges, i suggest you go into your branch and speak to the manager in a private room, explain your situation and that these charges are making it impossible for you to keep your finances on track as each charge is eating your benefit leaving you in a situation whereby you will go overdrawn and get more charges. The manager does have the discretion to refund you or at least escalate to the people who can do it. The sooner banks reduce their charges the better, but until that time just try not to give them a reason to charge you, it not worth the stress!

Also look into if you are getting your full benefit entitlement as it could be you do not have the sufficent benefit coming in to live leaving you in this situation.