jasperjames
19-06-2007, 10:04 AM
Hi all, I have looked into claiming back penalty charges previously but feel more inclined to do so now as last week I've been charged again by my bank on top of previous fees.
About 18 months ago I was ‘awarded’ a Visa account by my Bank after a year of being stuck with a Visa Electron as I was working full time at a venue being payed weekly in cash (fully covered by PAYE). I had struggled for months to achieve this without success speaking to advisors and petitioning head office and had forgotten all about it when I was asked if I’d like one in the branch by the same people! I was then able to pay my phone bills and purchase goods like a full human being! I had an agreed overdraft of £100 initially and in the first 12 months racked up 3 charges by breaching my overdraft accidentally by about two or three pounds in each case. So £90, I wasn't very happy about this but it happened over a busy period for me.
Last September I began a degree course away from home, other banks offered me student accounts but my bank of 6-7 years informed me my credit rating wasn't good enough. Perhaps foolishly I stuck with them and my current account, as transfers from parents who are also with the same Bank were quicker. Due to parental finance issues, my rent was due which I had to pay unusually using my available bank overdraft which I had agreed to extend to £600, just covering my costs.
Along with my loan and savings I have been pretty solvent until the end of term. After depleting my Bank account, I began to use my other account with the Coop (student electron visa) as funds were available in that account, paying less attention to my first current account.
Last week I received two letters informing me I had exceeded the overdraft on my Bank account (although they wanted to give me a 2grand overdraft when I turned 18). My quarterly Direct Debit for my Musicians Union membership and another standing order incurred the further £60. I've now received another letter informing me a monthly charge of £28 will be starting from the end of July.
In total in the past 18 months I have been charged £150 plus this monthly charge I am trying to avoid. I understand this isn’t a huge sum compared to other claims, but my question is do I have a valid case to claim the charges back? As I am in the red now, will the Bank tell me where to go?
As a student I can’t really afford court fees but then I really can’t do without the £150, which is my money! I’ve found it highly insulting, after denying me a proper current account followed by the benefits of a student account after years of banking solely with them the see fit to charge such fees I can not afford.
Many thanks and Heloo!
J
About 18 months ago I was ‘awarded’ a Visa account by my Bank after a year of being stuck with a Visa Electron as I was working full time at a venue being payed weekly in cash (fully covered by PAYE). I had struggled for months to achieve this without success speaking to advisors and petitioning head office and had forgotten all about it when I was asked if I’d like one in the branch by the same people! I was then able to pay my phone bills and purchase goods like a full human being! I had an agreed overdraft of £100 initially and in the first 12 months racked up 3 charges by breaching my overdraft accidentally by about two or three pounds in each case. So £90, I wasn't very happy about this but it happened over a busy period for me.
Last September I began a degree course away from home, other banks offered me student accounts but my bank of 6-7 years informed me my credit rating wasn't good enough. Perhaps foolishly I stuck with them and my current account, as transfers from parents who are also with the same Bank were quicker. Due to parental finance issues, my rent was due which I had to pay unusually using my available bank overdraft which I had agreed to extend to £600, just covering my costs.
Along with my loan and savings I have been pretty solvent until the end of term. After depleting my Bank account, I began to use my other account with the Coop (student electron visa) as funds were available in that account, paying less attention to my first current account.
Last week I received two letters informing me I had exceeded the overdraft on my Bank account (although they wanted to give me a 2grand overdraft when I turned 18). My quarterly Direct Debit for my Musicians Union membership and another standing order incurred the further £60. I've now received another letter informing me a monthly charge of £28 will be starting from the end of July.
In total in the past 18 months I have been charged £150 plus this monthly charge I am trying to avoid. I understand this isn’t a huge sum compared to other claims, but my question is do I have a valid case to claim the charges back? As I am in the red now, will the Bank tell me where to go?
As a student I can’t really afford court fees but then I really can’t do without the £150, which is my money! I’ve found it highly insulting, after denying me a proper current account followed by the benefits of a student account after years of banking solely with them the see fit to charge such fees I can not afford.
Many thanks and Heloo!
J