Bank Charges

[BoJack Horseman]

Been away for 10 days and haven't checked my bank accounts. Just had a look now and seems i've been stung for ?76 of bank charges. Two ?38 charges for the same credit card payment bouncing.

 

Anyone have any idea what the script is with this? Never had charges before and I was under the impression they give you leeway on your first couple. How do I go about getting the money back?

 

How is it that they can't pay a ?10 payment but they can take ?76 off me? I know theres a court case about it at the moment, anyone know the outcome?

[Maximus]

It's theft, report them to the Police.

 

My sister got charged ?30 for going ?2 over her overdraft limit (?100) due to a direct debit for the TV licence (another con). They know you are skint so they take more money from you that they know you don't have. Why do we put up with it, getting milked for every penny for the whole of our lives?

 

One day very soon I hope people will just say enough is enough and there will be a uprising - it's time to take this country back from the slimeballs (sorry MPs) and the banks, feck the lot of them!

[inspector]

You can go to http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/oft-bank-charges . The Office of Fair Trading have taken the banks to the High Court in England under The Unfair Contract Terms Act and won, however the banks have been given leave to appeal the decision. I don't know when the appeal will be heard but don't hold your breath! I think you would be wasting your time going to the Police as they'll tell you it's a civil matter. Hope this helps.

[argyjambo]

As a banker of 36 years experience, here's my tuppence worth.

 

If this has been an isolated incident, give them a call or even better pop into your local branch & have a word with the manager or at least someone in a supervisory capacity, explain the position in a calm & civil manner. 9 times out of 10 you'll get a refund.

 

If its been a regular occurrence on your account, same thing applies, talk to your bank, maybe lay it on a bit thick by asking for advice in handling your account . They will appreciate that, its human psychology, then at the end when you have squeezed a bit of sympathy out of them ask if they will reduce or remove some or all of the charges. Its well worth the effort.

 

Finally, look at how you manage your accounts, ask yourself could you do it better? chances are you can! For a start register for your bank's internet banking service, its free & is really the best way to keep on top of your finances. You can even access accounts & pay bills when away abroad on hols, Internet cafes are useful for other things besides e-mail & porn

You will know on a month to month basis what your outgoings are, that being the case, do yourself a favour & make sure you have the funds available to meet direct debits/standing orders as they fall due, its not rocket science.

Maybe look at re-scheduling some of your regular payment dates to ensure they are made on the the day you get paid or the day after.

 

All of the foregoing can be achieved with very little effort on your part. Finances are like relationships, keep on top of things and pay attention to them, otherwise you get dumped.

 

That is all

 

 

Big Al your friendly ex-bank manager

[BoJack Horseman]

As a banker of 36 years experience, here's my tuppence worth.

 

If this has been an isolated incident, give them a call or even better pop into your local branch & have a word with the manager or at least someone in a supervisory capacity, explain the position in a calm & civil manner. 9 times out of 10 you'll get a refund.

 

If its been a regular occurrence on your account, same thing applies, talk to your bank, maybe lay it on a bit thick by asking for advice in handling your account . They will appreciate that, its human psychology, then at the end when you have squeezed a bit of sympathy out of them ask if they will reduce or remove some or all of the charges. Its well worth the effort.

 

Finally, look at how you manage your accounts, ask yourself could you do it better? chances are you can! For a start register for your bank's internet banking service, its free & is really the best way to keep on top of your finances. You can even access accounts & pay bills when away abroad on hols, Internet cafes are useful for other things besides e-mail & porn

You will know on a month to month basis what your outgoings are, that being the case, do yourself a favour & make sure you have the funds available to meet direct debits/standing orders as they fall due, its not rocket science.

Maybe look at re-scheduling some of your regular payment dates to ensure they are made on the the day you get paid or the day after.

 

All of the foregoing can be achieved with very little effort on your part. Finances are like relationships, keep on top of things and pay attention to them, otherwise you get dumped.

 

That is all

 

 

Big Al your friendly ex-bank manager

 

Thanks for the lengthy reply

 

I do manage my accounts online, but I've been away for 10 days with limited internet access and checking on my accounts wasn't at the forefront of my mind. I thought I had enough in there to cover everything, however i've taken out a new mobile phone contract and the payment date for that is different to my last one, totally scrambling my routine, hence not having the funds to pay the credit card.

 

So it's definitely worth phoning and asking nicely for the payments to be refunded? It is a one of, never happened before, except twice for the same payment in the last week.

[argyjambo]

Thanks for the lengthy reply

 

I do manage my accounts online, but I've been away for 10 days with limited internet access and checking on my accounts wasn't at the forefront of my mind. I thought I had enough in there to cover everything, however i've taken out a new mobile phone contract and the payment date for that is different to my last one, totally scrambling my routine, hence not having the funds to pay the credit card.

 

So it's definitely worth phoning and asking nicely for the payments to be refunded? It is a one of, never happened before, except twice for the same payment in the last week.

 

I'd be very surprised, nay gobsmacked, if you did not get a refund.

[BoJack Horseman]

I'd be very surprised, nay gobsmacked, if you did not get a refund.

 

Well prepare to be gobsmacked.

 

Phoned them up, couldn't get through to my actual branch, left it too late, so spoke to the 24 hour telephone service. According to them unless it's an actual banking error they won't refund it at all. I asked if it would be a different story if I went into, or phoned my actual branch and she said that it wouldn't help due to the policy being the same throughout the bank. This is Natwest btw.

 

Think I could still chance going into the branch itself? I just can't understand how they can say they refused that ?9.74 payment due to the fact that it would take me into an unarranged overdraft, yet hit me with a ?38 charge which does exactly that, to a greater extent. It's madness.

[S.N.T.H.]

Working in a branch, i absolutely hate these types of threads.

 

When you go on holiday, the bank doesn't know you're away. Your account doesn't become frozen temporarily. Get real for God's sake. If a D/D is due to come off and there is no funds then the bank shouldn't have to pay it, especially when 9 times out of 10 it's the banks money anyway (overdrafts).

 

The amount of people who greet on the phone when they're clearly incapable of managing their accounts is astounding. Instead of going mental at the bank, look in the mirror. The banks constantly offer Reviews and people turn them down so there's no excuse.

 

Yes, some charges will be deemed excessive and/or unfair and in this case they will often be refunded. Charges are an automatic thing on the system, so go in and have a word with your bank instead of bitching on Kickback.

[neobis]

Working in a branch, i absolutely hate these types of threads.

 

When you go on holiday, the bank doesn't know you're away. Your account doesn't become frozen temporarily. Get real for God's sake. If a D/D is due to come off and there is no funds then the bank shouldn't have to pay it, especially when 9 times out of 10 it's the banks money anyway (overdrafts).

 

The amount of people who greet on the phone when they're clearly incapable of managing their accounts is astounding. Instead of going mental at the bank, look in the mirror. The banks constantly offer Reviews and people turn them down so there's no excuse.

 

Yes, some charges will be deemed excessive and/or unfair and in this case they will often be refunded. Charges are an automatic thing on the system, so go in and have a word with your bank instead of bitching on Kickback.

 

100% agree.

[BoJack Horseman]

Working in a branch, i absolutely hate these types of threads.

 

When you go on holiday, the bank doesn't know you're away. Your account doesn't become frozen temporarily. Get real for God's sake. If a D/D is due to come off and there is no funds then the bank shouldn't have to pay it, especially when 9 times out of 10 it's the banks money anyway (overdrafts).

 

The amount of people who greet on the phone when they're clearly incapable of managing their accounts is astounding. Instead of going mental at the bank, look in the mirror. The banks constantly offer Reviews and people turn them down so there's no excuse.

 

Yes, some charges will be deemed excessive and/or unfair and in this case they will often be refunded. Charges are an automatic thing on the system, so go in and have a word with your bank instead of bitching on Kickback.

 

Who bitched? I asked for advice and explained my situation. I understand that it was my fault that the charge incurred. What I can't understand is why it costs ?38, or why they wouldn't just pay the ?9. Fair enough for a ?500 D/D but ?9? And why didn't they contact me first time, or cancel the D/D rather than let it get requested again, incurring another ridiculous ?38 charge.

 

I will go in to the branch, and I will explain the situation, and hopefully I will get at least one charge refunded. That's not going to stop me asking for a bit of friendly advice on Kickback though, an open message board where we can talk about whatever we like.

[S.N.T.H.]

Who bitched? I asked for advice and explained my situation. I understand that it was my fault that the charge incurred. What I can't understand is why it costs ?38, or why they wouldn't just pay the ?9. Fair enough for a ?500 D/D but ?9? And why didn't they contact me first time, or cancel the D/D rather than let it get requested again, incurring another ridiculous ?38 charge.

 

I will go in to the branch, and I will explain the situation, and hopefully I will get at least one charge refunded. That's not going to stop me asking for a bit of friendly advice on Kickback though, an open message board where we can talk about whatever we like.

 

If you're looking to debate the size of Bank Charges, then just wait and see 'cause it's currently in the courts. I am not going to justify them as, as i say, they can be excessive and unfair. If they had paid the ?9 (which was money you didn't have!! Why should they?) then you would've been hit with a charge anyway, of ?28.

 

Also note that it's not a case of the bank 'letting it get requested again'.. it's outwith the banks hands.

 

As for the bank cancelling the D/D, you have to seriously get real. The Direct Debit is an agreement between yourself and a third party, whereby the bank is the middle ground. The bank cannot legally cancel the D/D without your consent.

[Therapist]

When you go on holiday, the bank doesn't know you're away. Your account doesn't become frozen temporarily. Get real for God's sake.

 

Agree 100%. If everyone kept an eye on their accounts and didn't do dodgy stuff like writing cheques without sufficient funds to cover them, nobody would get charged anything.

 

Typical attitude though - it's everyone's fault but their own.

[neobis]

Typical attitude though - it's everyone's fault but their own.

 

Unfortunately this kind of attitude is becoming more and more common.

[djf]

. The Office of Fair Trading have taken the banks to the High Court in England under The Unfair Contract Terms Act and won,

 

Wrong.

[djf]

Whilst I agree with SNTH in essence, he's being pretty harsh on Stout who realises he's made a bit of a screw up and is looking for advice.

 

I'd definately go in and speak with the branch manager. Explain the situation, tell them its the first time it's ever happened and apologise profusely.

 

Then cross your fingers.

[jambo 71]

Who bitched? I asked for advice and explained my situation. I understand that it was my fault that the charge incurred. What I can't understand is why it costs ?38, or why they wouldn't just pay the ?9. Fair enough for a ?500 D/D but ?9? And why didn't they contact me first time, or cancel the D/D rather than let it get requested again, incurring another ridiculous ?38 charge.

 

I will go in to the branch, and I will explain the situation, and hopefully I will get at least one charge refunded. That's not going to stop me asking for a bit of friendly advice on Kickback though, an open message board where we can talk about whatever we like.

 

 

I would defo try StOut, my sister had a bank charge of ?28 last week for going slighty over her overdraft, I phoned up on behalf of her and explained the situation and they refunded it no problem as it was a one off occurence, she banks with the RBS though.

 

Good luck though, worth a try if this is a one off situation and its not a regular occurence, otherwise can't see them refunding.

[Professor.Arturo]

Go to a bank that actually treat their customers well, I did.

 

I dont mean RBS, HBoS or Clydesdale!

 

I was with those thieving gits RBS.....?38 charges!!!

 

I moved to the Capital credit union, they do a current account with visa debit just like the others, set up d/d on it....no different from any other current account...

 

except they dont shaft you!, they know when your money is paid in weekly or monthly, if a d/d takes you overdrawn they will honour the debit and dont charge you either, if you go a lot overdrawn for more than a week they will charge you but its only ?12!!!

 

Their bank accounts are run by the Co-operative bank.

 

Capital credit union, Hamilton pl, Stockbridge

 

I have loads of mates who have already swiched to them and are delighted.

[neobis]

Go to a bank that actually treat their customers well, I did.

 

I dont mean RBS, HBoS or Clydesdale!

 

I was with those thieving gits RBS.....?38 charges!!!

 

I moved to the Capital credit union, they do a current account with visa debit just like the others, set up d/d on it....no different from any other current account...

 

except they dont shaft you!, they know when your money is paid in weekly or monthly, if a d/d takes you overdrawn they will honour the debit and dont charge you either, if you go a lot overdrawn for more than a week they will charge you but its only ?12!!!

 

Their bank accounts are run by the Co-operative bank.

 

Capital credit union, Hamilton pl, Stockbridge

 

I have loads of mates who have already swiched to them and are delighted.

 

Out of curiosity what is the interest rate on the account?

 

......... fee's involved .......

[Era Macaroons]

Go to a bank that actually treat their customers well, I did.

 

I dont mean RBS, HBoS or Clydesdale!

 

I was with those thieving gits RBS.....?38 charges!!!

 

I moved to the Capital credit union, they do a current account with visa debit just like the others, set up d/d on it....no different from any other current account...

 

except they dont shaft you!, they know when your money is paid in weekly or monthly, if a d/d takes you overdrawn they will honour the debit and dont charge you either, if you go a lot overdrawn for more than a week they will charge you but its only ?12!!!

 

Their bank accounts are run by the Co-operative bank.

 

Capital credit union, Hamilton pl, Stockbridge

 

I have loads of mates who have already swiched to them and are delighted.

 

good advice...quite simply change to a bank that wont shsft you when you have the odd blip....yes its your duty to look after your accounts but ?38 charges are a joke

[Professor.Arturo]

Out of curiosity what is the interest rate on the account?

 

......... fee's involved .......

Not sure to be honest...there's never enough in my account to get interest

 

They do charge 95p a week to maintain your account, I can live with 95p though

 

You get other stuff as well, check out the site, they will have more accurate info than me

[neobis]

Not sure to be honest...there's never enough in my account to get interest

 

They do charge 95p a week to maintain your account, I can live with 95p though

 

You get other stuff as well, check out the site, they will have more accurate info than me

 

?45.60 a year just for having an bank account? Incredible ......

 

EDIT: Just had a look, do they do online banking?

 

"List of standing Orders and direct debits - ?8.00"

 

Its gets worse:

 

"This fee includes charge for up to six missed direct debit or standing order charges per year. It also covers the cost of operating your account to a pre determined level of transactions: 2 ATM and balance enquiries per week, 2 credit transaction per week, set up and payment processing of all standing orders and direct debits. Capital reserves the right to make an additional charge of ?1 per week to your account if you exceed this pre-determined level of transactions."

[Professor.Arturo]

?45.60 a year just for having an bank account? Incredible ......

 

EDIT: Just had a look, do they do online banking?

 

"List of standing Orders and direct debits - ?8.00"

Go ?1 overdrawn twice in a year with the RBS and that will cost you ?76

 

http://www.capitalcreditunion.com/content.asp?section=54

[neobis]

Go ?1 overdrawn twice in a year with the RBS and that will cost you ?76

 

Dont go overdrawn with "RBS" and it costs you ?0.

Dont go overdrawn with Capital Credit Union and it costs you ?46.30.

 

Have you seen the T&C's?

[S.N.T.H.]

Go ?1 overdrawn twice in a year with the RBS and that will cost you ?76

 

http://www.capitalcreditunion.com/content.asp?section=54

 

Complete and utter lies.

 

Go into an unauthorised overdraft with RBS and you're charged ?28.

 

It's called a limit.. deal with it.

[Benny Factor]

Go ?1 overdrawn twice in a year with the RBS and that will cost you ?76

 

http://www.capitalcreditunion.com/content.asp?section=54

 

Yet with Capital, it costs you money whether you go overdrawn or not?

[Professor.Arturo]

?45.60 a year just for having an bank account? Incredible ......

 

EDIT: Just had a look, do they do online banking?

 

"List of standing Orders and direct debits - ?8.00"

 

Its gets worse:

 

"This fee includes charge for up to six missed direct debit or standing order charges per year. It also covers the cost of operating your account to a pre determined level of transactions: 2 ATM and balance enquiries per week, 2 credit transaction per week, set up and payment processing of all standing orders and direct debits. Capital reserves the right to make an additional charge of ?1 per week to your account if you exceed this pre-determined level of transactions."

 

I use it more than that, a lot more and they dont charge any more, might have scrapped that idea and not taken it out their terms. All I pay is the 95p per week.

 

Not sure what the ?8 is you mentioned, but they dont charge for setting up or running d/d and standing orders.

[neobis]

I use it more than that, a lot more and they dont charge any more, might have scrapped that idea and not taken it out their terms. All I pay is the 95p per week.

 

Not sure what the ?8 is you mentioned, but they dont charge for setting up or running d/d and standing orders.

 

Seriously read the T&C's?

 

Do they do online banking?

 

Do you get statements? If yes do you look at them?

 

Even at just a glance this account is not good at all.

[Professor.Arturo]

Seriously read the T&C's?

 

Do they do online banking?

 

Do you get statements? If yes do you look at them?

 

Even at just a glance this account is not good at all.

Yes I get a statement every month, and yes, I do read it.

 

but hey ho, opinions vary

[S.N.T.H.]

Yeah, but if there's a problem with Capital Credit Union, you just go into the bra... oh, no you don't. Internet Cowboys galore.

[Professor.Arturo]

Yeah, but if there's a problem with Capital Credit Union, you just go into the bra... oh, no you don't. Internet Cowboys galore.

 

I would hardly call the Co-op cowboys. I assume you work for RBS, so you know just how crap they treat their customers (well, not the wealthy one huh?)

[neobis]

Yes I get a statement every month, and yes, I do read it.

 

but hey ho, opinions vary

 

Opinions vary yes however you cant move from the facts:

 

Having a standard "RBS" account costs ?0 per year.

Having a Capital Credit Union account cost ?46.30 a year.

 

Then there is the rest in the Capital Credit Union T&C's.

[S.N.T.H.]

I would hardly call the Co-op cowboys. I assume you work for RBS, so you know just how crap they treat their customers (well, not the wealthy one huh?)

 

Yes, i work for the Royal Bank of Scotland.

 

And, yes, i can safely say that we offer a far, far better Current Account package than Capital Credit Union, regardless of whether they're owned by the Co-operative or not. (i notice the Co-op has zero branding with regards to this company).

 

Keep paying the charges for ****all though, but please realise that you're paying just as much. Absolutely hilarious, TBH.

[Wattie]

I love threads like this.

 

It's these charges that keep banking free for the rest of us. Let's hope it stays that way.

[Therapist]

It's these charges that keep banking free for the rest of us. Let's hope it stays that way.

 

Spot on Wattie.

[Miller Jambo 60]

Been away for 10 days and haven't checked my bank accounts. Just had a look now and seems i've been stung for ?76 of bank charges. Two ?38 charges for the same credit card payment bouncing.

 

Anyone have any idea what the script is with this? Never had charges before and I was under the impression they give you leeway on your first couple. How do I go about getting the money back?

 

How is it that they can't pay a ?10 payment but they can take ?76 off me? I know theres a court case about it at the moment, anyone know the outcome?

 

HOBOfax bank of scotland they are robbing mingers .

Fraud .

[Miller Jambo 60]

Spot on Wattie.

 

u are so sad always on the wind up

 

 

 

PATHETIC

[argyjambo]

Well prepare to be gobsmacked.

 

Phoned them up, couldn't get through to my actual branch, left it too late, so spoke to the 24 hour telephone service. According to them unless it's an actual banking error they won't refund it at all. I asked if it would be a different story if I went into, or phoned my actual branch and she said that it wouldn't help due to the policy being the same throughout the bank. This is Natwest btw.

 

Think I could still chance going into the branch itself? I just can't understand how they can say they refused that ?9.74 payment due to the fact that it would take me into an unarranged overdraft, yet hit me with a ?38 charge which does exactly that, to a greater extent. It's madness.

 

Big al your friendly ex-bank manager here.

 

My gob is well & truly smacked! Go into your branch & speak to them. Call centre operatives must abide with laid down policy, whereas branch staff do have a degree of autonomy in these matters.

The reason why your payments were rejected is probably because of the system the bank uses, to monitor accounts will look to see if there is an overdraft limit, if not payments which will take the account overdrawn will be returned.Computer programs do not have discretion inbuilt.

Best to arrange a small overdraft facility say ?100 to cover such situations in future.

 

On a more general point, the OFT probe & ongoing court case re unfair charges may well result in a victory for th "punters". it could turn out to be a phyrric victory. If the ruling goes against the banks, it may spell the end of free banking for personal customers.

I think banks will be told to reduce drastically the charges for unauthorised overdrafts & for dishonouring payments. They will recoup that by ending free banking & the good careful customers will be penalised for the actions of the fiscally irresponsible.

 

Glad I no longer work for a bank, after 36 years they are now paying me to do hee haw, its called a pension.

[Miller Jambo 60]

Big al your friendly ex-bank manager here.

 

My gob is well & truly smacked! Go into your branch & speak to them. Call centre operatives must abide with laid down policy, whereas branch staff do have a degree of autonomy in these matters.

The reason why your payments were rejected is probably because of the system the bank uses, to monitor accounts will look to see if there is an overdraft limit, if not payments which will take the account overdrawn will be returned.Computer programs do not have discretion inbuilt.

Best to arrange a small overdraft facility say ?100 to cover such situations in future.

 

On a more general point, the OFT probe & ongoing court case re unfair charges may well result in a victory for th "punters". it could turn out to be a phyrric victory. If the ruling goes against the banks, it may spell the end of free banking for personal customers.

I think banks will be told to reduce drastically the charges for unauthorised overdrafts & for dishonouring payments. They will recoup that by ending free banking & the good careful customers will be penalised for the actions of the fiscally irresponsible.

 

Glad I no longer work for a bank, after 36 years they are now paying me to do hee haw, its called a pension.

 

Still screwing the wee man robbing bassers

[S.N.T.H.]

Doug, you seem to have no opinion on the matter, apart from 'Hobofax Bank of Scotland', which is horrific banter.

[Therapist]

u are so sad always on the wind up

 

 

 

PATHETIC

 

No wind up.

 

The fact of the matter is the court action - based on scrotes who cannot or will not control their finances - will result in everyone being charged a fee for their account. And if the banks are smart - which they are - they'll work out a way to charge the scrotes a higher fee than people like me who don't misbehave.

 

I hope they're happy.

[S.N.T.H.]

I think our man ArgyJambo hit the nail on the head when he said that charges are automatic on the system, which funnily enough doesn't have descretion built in.

 

People need to start taking responsibility.

[Miller Jambo 60]

Doug, you seem to have no opinion on the matter, apart from 'Hobofax Bank of Scotland', which is horrific banter.

 

Who are you the brains of britain:dribble:

[S.N.T.H.]

Who are you the brains of britain:dribble:

 

What, on earth, are you on about?

 

Brains of Britain?

 

[Miller Jambo 60]

Who are you the brains of britain:dribble:

 

Enjoy the final guys as KB is so so boring

[S.N.T.H.]

Enjoy the final guys as KB is so so boring

 

Ironic that you say that, while sighting a quotation attributed to you.

 

 

MAHA

[Professor.Arturo]

I think our man ArgyJambo hit the nail on the head when he said that charges are automatic on the system, which funnily enough doesn't have descretion built in.

 

People need to start taking responsibility.

 

Here was me thinking the ?38 was to cover admin costs? In actual fact its a split second computer calculation that administers the charge.

 

Why are RBS liars? why not just tell their customers its not really a bank charge, it is really a fine!

[S.N.T.H.]

Here was me thinking the ?38 was to cover admin costs? In actual fact its a split second computer calculation that administers the charge.

 

Why are RBS liars? why not just tell their customers its not really a bank charge, it is really a fine!

 

Whether it's an admin charge or not, it's irrelevant. The funds were unavailable in your account!

 

Keep banking with Capital Credit Union, though.

 

Did you honestly think that, at a bank with the biggest customer database in the United Kingdom, charges were keyed manually? What a laughable notion.

[coppercrutch]

(1) You want to open an account.

(2) You agree to the terms and conditions and any changes to these that are notified.

(3) You sign on the dotted line to agree to these terms and conditions.

(4) You deal with these terms and conditions as they become relevant.

 

Very simple really. The amount these charges are is another matter.

 

However the OP has agreed to the charges they have now been asked to pay. You can't really grumble about that IMO.

[david mcgee]

The sad fact is RBS will announce 600-800 job loses in the next twelve months.

This will happen whether they charge thirty or three hundred quid for going overdrawn.

Whatever picture they will try to paint on it , the only reason is mismanagement.

[Only a Game]

Wrong.

 

He's not wrong. They did win but the ruling hasnt been fully implemented as the banks are appealing.