Another kind of unfair charge - pls help!

savin_4_a_rainy_day

I recently paid by cheque in a well-known high street music store-thought nothing more about it. I check my bank accounts online and realised that the cheque had gone out and not enough money to cover it. :mad: On the same day I transferred money from one a/c to another in order to cover the cheque and thought no more of it. However, the cheque did end up being reclaimed by the store in question.

Anyway to cut a long story short I received a letter from the debt company that is employed by this large well-known store, unbelievably charging me £48.50 as they had to resend the cheque to the bank to ask for the money!! :eek:

I have had three letters from this company now - is it legal for a company to ask for such an extortionate charge - far higher than any bank charges I have ever received ... I am not sure what my next step is or who to turn to, but I am fairly worried that this charge is going to get higher as they have not received a payment from me.

The store in question HAVE received their £14.99 - it was an oversight on my part, one that looks like it is going to cost me dearly.

Could anyone help me??? While I realise that I was the one who mis-managed (although I didn't pay by cheque due to no funds) It was a genuine mistake. I just think that the charge is too high.