"The Money Programme" - Bank Charges

[SurreyGuy]

Did anyone see this a few weeks ago and decide to write to their bank to challenge the charges?

Any luck?

I just got a letter saying that I had no claim :o( I want to challenge it, but the programme only told you what to do initially - it didn't give you any, "if your bank refutes your claimagainst the charges" advice.

[dzug]

What sort of charges were they? Not ALL charges are unlawful - only disproportionate penaty charges

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewn ews.cgi?newsid1141050760,24632,

will have some useful advice

[SurreyGuy]

Overdraft charges

[dzug]

That's a bit vague. The bank could be in the right. If they are normal fees for having an authorised overdraft then they are legitimate. If they are penalty fees for taking an unauthorised overdraft they are not.

[SurreyGuy]

You obviously didn't see the programme!

[innocenti]

I have challenged my bank on my bank charges and bounced direct debits. It took about 4 months but I got it all back with 8% interest.

Use the consumer action group website, read all the FAQ's and then use the templates. Good luck

[SurreyGuy]

Cheers innocenti.

What was your bank's initial response? What did you do as a result of it?

[EverClean]

I don't think you can go too far wrong with dzug's link. Some banks are now very aware of this tactic and are issuing straight "you have no claim" letters in the hope that it will stop a lot of people in their tracks.

Again as dzug says if they are normal charges for your authorised overdraft then you will be out of luck. If they are these standard �30 charges for going overdrawn or bouncing cheques or direct debit payments then you will have to be persistent but you should get the money back.

Please be aware though that it is becoming standard practice for banks to give you back these charges along with 28 days notice to close your account.

[WendyS]

Check the website: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

The Home page has an article on the illegality of bank changes and the site has many useful forums of all kinds of money-related problems in which subscribers relate their own experiences. You might find some helpful information there. To contribute to the forums you will need to register your name/pseudanym and use a password but you can view the content of the forums without registering..

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks folks