Overdraft Fine/charges, Whats The Deal Now?

[Simon]

Basically, i f**ked up, and for some reason, instead of Halifax refusing the debit card at the counter/transaction, they simply let the transaction go through (simple 2 pound lunchs and so on, 35 quid fee...), meaning i now have 215 quid worth of fee's coming out on the 9th. This puts me majorly up shit street for living having moved out on my own.

What's the deal with charges now, i remember a big court thing a while back, what happened with that? Can they charge me every time a transaction is over, or is it only once?

[OD404]

I'm not sure if that court case has come to a conclusion (or if it has, I don't know what it was). However, I have found in the past with my bank, that a good moan down the phone tends to get the charge reversed, especially for such a small amount.

[Simon]

They've already done a "good will gesture" once before, so wont do it again, atleast, that's what they said last time i asked about fine's, like, last year sometime.

[mod_rider]

If it happened before you could try telling them that you'd asked for the overdraft facility to be removed last time it happened, so didn't think there was anything to worry about.

Happens to my mate all the time and he usually gets away with it, but not all the time.

Worth a try though

[Bionic Balls]

just go to a branch a say you can't afford it...simple as...they can be understanding

[M-i-t-c-h]

They did the same with me! haggle with them.

Cost me over £100 in the end, was not happy.

[Pashley26]

Should be alright, I've had a few mate who've done pretty much the same thing.

My bank closed my account, because less than £10 was transfered in a month. So I lost £138 ! Bastards, I forgot about the tiny little box that mentioned it when I opened the account 3 years ago !

[Token]

My ex used to work at Barclays an she said they use to get loads of people (mainly single mothers) coming in to get they're bank charges reimbursed because they'd kick up a fuss that they couldn't afford to live an feed their kids. If you go into your bank an ask to speak to someone, explain that you can't actually afford these charges an you won't be able to eat etc. then I'm pretty sure they have to do something about it.

[Jolfa]

They've already done a "good will gesture" once before, so wont do it again, atleast, that's what they said last time i asked about fine's, like, last year sometime.

Yeah they said that to me the last 3 or 4 times they gave it me back

Kick up enough of a fuss and they'll give it you back, I've had to speak to the manager on a few occasions now

[Revolver]

Basically, i f**ked up, and for some reason, instead of Halifax refusing the debit card at the counter/transaction, they simply let the transaction go through (simple 2 pound lunchs and so on, 35 quid fee...), meaning i now have 215 quid worth of fee's coming out on the 9th. This puts me majorly up shit street for living having moved out on my own.

What's the deal with charges now, i remember a big court thing a while back, what happened with that? Can they charge me every time a transaction is over, or is it only once?

You can yell at them and get it back

You must have the halifax visa debit card, mine does that, it's the stupidest thing in the world. I'd much rather it decline than f**king sting me £67 for every time I go in the red.

[Matthew_Gibson]

Its because Halifax are shite!

They took £35 off me for going about £50 into my over draft. fair enough. but they took the £35 quid off me when I had £3 left in my account. Seens a little unfair. As if they had contacted me in some way I could have paid it off as I had the money in my pocket. So now thanks so them being dicks. I am now £175.odd. in the red. yet my over draft limit is £150. so there guna be £70 better offfor not letting mem know.

Going in to see them friday. as I lost my pass book for my old account. see how things go.

[Extreme_biker0]

My ex used to work at Barclays an she said they use to get loads of people (mainly single mothers) coming in to get they're bank charges reimbursed because they'd kick up a fuss that they couldn't afford to live an feed their kids. If you go into your bank an ask to speak to someone, explain that you can't actually afford these charges an you won't be able to eat etc. then I'm pretty sure they have to do something about it.

That's the idea. Don't go in all guns blazing with no reasons. These bankers want reasons, that they can note down on their computer next to the 'action log' entry that says this worker reversed this charge at this time. You say you've moved out to uni and that levying these fees on you will cause you hardship and might cause you to reconsider continuing your degree and that's a pretty solid reason that they can put down for you for reversing them for you.

Work the system and you'll get it easy.

[anzo]

There was a trial for bank charges a while back, it ruled in favour of the customer - which opened the doors for thousands of other claims. However, I was aware that the FSA told banks to 'ignore' claims until the court order had finished, although I'm not entirely sure if this has been lifted.

Best way to go about doing this is to get your facts right...don't go in 'umming and errring' about what transactions took place on whatever day. Get your statements and any letters together.

Bank charges can only be dropped by the bank manager IF they see the cause to be worthy; after all banks need to make money, espeically at the minute. I recently went to the bank to complain of a banking error, they took out the same standing order 3 times on one day, on the 4th attempt the transaction was blocked and I got a letter telling me I had to pay £50 in bank fees - this is still being processed and I'm yet to see the money; this was 3 weeks ago.

Best way to get around this is to write a letter to your bank demanding a statement of all bank charges issued since opening your account - they have to give you this information under the Data Protection Act, also explain in the letter that if they do not send the information within 30 days that you will seek advice from the FSA.

When you recieve your statement you will be able to see the dates and charges given; you can then write back and request that all bank charges are repaid in full, failing this you will take legal action - this is the breaking point, if its only a small amount they'll usually pay it (its cheaper than going to court!), they could shut your bank account down (fairly common!) or file it and await official information from the court case that is (possibly) still on going.

I have tried all the above and got nothing at all...but hey, theres no harm in trying!

[Simon]

Went their today, the girl behind the counter could only refund one. Still 180 quid in fines about to come out.

So i need to speak to the bank manager? Or just write a letter?

As for the court case, the women said it's still going on. It's about if charges are too high, and if they rule in favour of the customer, they'll have to go through and refund every charge, although apparently that's a long long while of yet.

[anzo]

Out of interest, what bank are you with?

All the information you require can be found here, regarding the court claim.

I'd write a letter addressed to the manager explaining the situation, things in writing is always better with things like this as its more accurate and gives a visual timeline over the process.

[Damon W]

good topic! thanks for joggin my memory too!

last year i requested all my statements, n found after jotting them all up iv had just short of £1000 in charges, apid them all like, so i sent a letter saying ide like them reversing or i will take the claim further, i jus got a ltter back about the case goin to court, and that theyl let me know if anything changes havnt heard nothing since, isit alot to go to court withit? cos i may aswell persue it hanvt i? with it bein this much?

[that NBR dude]

Yea I've had the same thing Damon. I dont think the courts are taking any more claims from people until the court case with the banks surrounding charges has come to a conclusion. If the banks loose they'll have to pay back any charges as far as I'm aware.

With the way the banks are going at the moment though, I can't see that happening anymore. We've been having a meeting about it all today (I work for Royal Bank Of Scotland) and its not looking good for a lot of banks. Our shares have dropped by 20% in the last couple of days and more banks are closing or merging. We've just lost one of our smaller divisions yesterday.

But back on track, I would wait until you hear from the banks with the conclusion from the Courts. If you have requested a claim in writing, they will have to notify you of the verdict.