Bank Charges

[Benny]

I'm sure some of you have, but if you haven't, here tells you how

//www.moneysavingexpert.co.uk.

Essentially if you've been charged by the bank for overdrafts etc you could claim it back. Its on hold at the moment due to a test case and banking swindle, but sign the petition here and we can get going again;
 
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/BankCharter/sign

For reference, I'm not a particularly badly organised person, but mine and Sarahs fees come to around 4k. (it goes back 6 years - so get the ball rolling now, get the statement reqeusts in - it's free - and send your intial claim, that way should the case go well you request will be in the system)

[Nefertem]

Interresting..

I see it a co.uk adress.. does it work outside of the UK? For example in Denmark or Norway? Id guess not, but couldn't find anything at first glance..

[Benny]

I guess the letter templates on the site would work, the general gist should be the same?

[T-Bag]

I've only had one bank charge (£35 for going overdrawn). I switched banks afterwards and haven't gone over since. But if I'd racked up lots of charges I'd be sure to claim.
As for reclaiming outside the UK, I'm not sure thats possible. The case will probably go through UK courts, but if it goes through European courts you could claim.

[Blunt]

The banks are challenging this in the courts atm, and until it's sorted there is a moratorium on all claims.

[Benny]

indeed, hence the petition...

Oh and it's good to get your claims in, as you have a 6 year period, so you may lose any fees from the beginning of that 6 years if you don't get your stake in the ground now..

Oh and it's a good site

Halved my sky bill for one....

[TeaLeaf]

Quick summary for what you can attempt to reclaim.

TL.

CAN BE CLAIMED

Account misuse fee
Cheque return fee
Card misuse fee
Unarranged borrowing fee
Unauthorised overdraft fee
Unpaid DD fee
Unpaid cheque fee
Unpaid standing order fee
Exceeding Authorised Overdraft Limit
Exceeding Unauthorised Overdraft Limit
Direct Debit/Standing Order/Cheque returned fee
Irregular fee
Paid refferal fee
Total charges (HSBC personal accounts only, not business accounts)

Credit Card/Store Cards/Catalogues

Late payment fee
Over limit fee

CANNOT BE CLAIMED

Cash Machine Withdrawal Fees (ATMs)
Account Service Charges
Service Fee / Annual Fee
Charges related to foreign currency transactions and conversions.
Monthly account fees on certain type of accounts (such as RBS Royalties)
Normal overdraft interest charges


Contractual interest

This is what you see on your bank statements charged by the bank when you go overdrawn. It appears on your statement as 'INTEREST', or 'INT'.

There are normally two different interest rates charged. A lower rate is charged when you are overdrawn, but still within your agreed overdraft limit. Under no circumstances can this interest be reclaimed. There is a higher rate of interest (up to 29.9%) charged when you go over your overdraft limit (unauthorised overdraft). This is a bit trickier to deal with. You cannot claim any of this interest if your spending has caused you to go over your overdraft limit, but you can claim this interest on any bank charges that have caused this. The problem with this is working out the interest only on the charges. It can be difficult to get right, and you have to be very accurate with your figures in case the bank at any stage challenges them. Generally, most people don't claim this interest.

[Thulsa Doom]

as you have a 6 year period, so you may lose any fees from the beginning of that 6 years if you don't get your stake in the ground now..

5 years in Scotland.

I've been lucky enough to have reclaimed all mine back with interest.

Also worth while mentioning that a portion of Mortgage exit fees can be reclaimed http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/mortgage-fees

[Penfold]

For reference, I'm not a particularly badly organised person, but mine and Sarahs fees come to around 4k.

Ouch.

What gets to me is that you have can 1000's of pounds sitting in one account and then another account at the same branch goes overdrawn by £1 and they screw you.

What doubly gets me is when they stuff up a direct debit or standing order and then charge you £34 for it not going through - when it's their fault :ranting2:

Finally, and this one's a cracker, Last month I sold a car and deposited a cheque into my bank for £15,500 . They then credited £155 into my account :blink:. I had photocopied the cheque and the paying-in slip had been stamped properly showing the correct amount.

"Oh sorry", they said. However we have to claim it back from the purchaser's bank and it will take up to 21 days.... I mean ***. When I told them it was a deposit on a new car they said - "Don't worry, we'll give you an interest free overdraft to cover the amount in the interim".... you can imagine my reply...:boxing:. Stuff their blooming interest free overdraft - just give me the flipping money you owe me - the mistake was yours FFS.

Anyway after getting really ****ed with my relationship manager and telling them what's the point in being a flipping Premier customer if they do things like this and that I'm pulling the bank accounts and ISA's I have with them - they sorted it out.

I'm still waiting for a response to the £100 bill I sent them for my wasted time however..... we'll see :eyebrow:

PEN