Barclays overdraft

akuku

Hello

I have with Barclays personal and business account and also CC from Barclays.

I did not check balance on my private account during last 3 months. I did not open letters from them because I move out from my mother home and did not change address.

Three days ago Barclays debt department call me because I made huge overdraft £1000+. I paid immediately all debts by transferring money from business to private account and they returned me £70 of charges. So fine, so good.

I just check statement from last 3 months. They charged me £30-£35 at least 11 times !!! I understand that I made overdraft (I do not have overdraft limit and never ask them) but charging £30-£35 every time for small transactions like: £4.09, £8.42 pounds is insane! I spoke with them by phone asking to reduce charges but they refuse.

It was my error paying by Paypal and using personal account especially if I have Barclays credit card (£1800 limit) and overdraft on business account of £2000 (I pay for these £25 per quarter). However charging loyal customer (7 years) £30-£25 per day or transaction is not fair. Can I reclaim charges?

Simon

squink

On all barclays current account they charge a maximum of £90 in one statement month for "unauthorised" overdraft use (that is, max. of 3 charges at £30 each, called a "referral fee"). For unpaid/returned payments (cheques, standing orders or direct debits) they charge £35 a time, so this can really mount up as is not limited to just 3 in a month. Also you will be charged interest on the overdraft at a massive 27.5% (2.05% p month) (do you have a copy of bank charges etc.? worth getting - in fact should be online).I've phoned them up loads of times and sweet-talked them into dropping the odd charge, but sometimes you get someone who just isn't interested in helping. It may be worth phoning again in case you get a more helpful person on the line, and if you still get the same response ask to speak to a senior manager to discuss it (and you can insist - sometimes they'll tell you you can't which is rubbish). If no joy then I would write a strong letter to "customer relations" explaining what happened, what a good and loyal customer you are and would they like you to remove all your business from them? (is your business account with them too? if so even better). If STILL no joy threaten to take them to court (give 2 week deadlines for replies to your letters - there is guidance on this site for all this) - from what I've read they often pay up at the final hour even when they say they'll do nothing until the OFT court case is decided (on whether the charges are fair). If you threaten court (as I've done) they'll tell you they'll take out a holding order (because of the OFT trial) but you've got to ignore all their bluff and just do it anyway - if they don't pay up in the end you can then get the FOS (details online) to take on your case. They will put you off at every level, you've just got to ignore that and keep on the case - good luck! (I hear Alliance and Leicester is a better bank...?)

squink

On all barclays current account they charge a maximum of £90 in one statement month for "unauthorised" overdraft use (that is, max. of 3 charges at £30 each, called a "referral fee". For unpaid/returned payments (cheques, standing orders or direct debits) they charge £35 a time, so this can really mount up as is not limited to just 3 in a month. Also you will be charged interest on the overdraft at a massive 27.5% (2.05% p month) (do you have a copy of bank charges etc.? worth getting - in fact should be online). I've phoned them up loads of times and sweet-talked them into dropping the odd charge, but sometimes you get someone who just isn't interested in helping. It may be worth phoning again in case you get a more helpful person on the line, and if you still get the same response ask to speak to a senior manager to discuss it (and you can insist - sometimes they'll tell you you can't which is rubbish). If no joy then I would write a strong letter to "customer relations" explaining what happened, what a good and loyal customer you are and would they like you to remove all your business from them? (is your business account with them too? if so even better). If STILL no joy threaten to take them to court (give 2 week deadlines for replies to your letters - there is guidance on this site for all this) - from what I've read they often pay up at the final hour even when they say they'll do nothing until the OFT court case is decided (on whether the charges are fair). If you threaten court (as I've done) they'll tell you they'll take out a holding order (because of the OFT trial) but you've got to ignore all their bluff and just do it anyway - if they don't pay up in the end you can then get the FOS (details online) to take on your case. They will try to put you off at every level, you've just got to ignore that and keep on the case - good luck! (I hear Alliance and Leicester is a better bank...?)