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Original poster

Is there any way I can get my bank charges back?????

24 replies

auntyquated · 23/02/2006 20:25

the story...
I have 2 Halifax accounts. One for food and bills and one for 'saving'; but both are current accounts.

some how in january the 2 cards have got mixed up and i have been buying food from the wrong account...the account with little money in and an overdraft facility of only £150.

today i got three letters in the post saying that 1)they are going to charge me for going over overdraft linit (£30 charge)
2) for paying asda when there wasn't enough in the account (£28)
3) for giving me £10 cash back from asda when there wasn't enough funds (£28)

rang em up and nice lady said she would try and evoke charges but when she tred to she couldn't as i couldn't give her security details as i don't do telephone banking normally. she said go into branch.

so into town we went..customer service lady wasn't interested...my error so nothing they can do. she aslo revealed that ther's another £28 to go on

£114 for a simple mistake aggghhhh

does anyone have any idaes or experienec on how i can get my £114 back---or even some of it!!

OP posts:

GDG · 23/02/2006 20:27

If it was me I'd say 'thank you very much, I'd like to close my accounts please' and move to another bank.

Mazzystar · 23/02/2006 20:29

if its the first time you've messed up, or first time in ages, then usually (well at abbey and co-op where i bank) they will refund it.

and i would have thought if the asda thing was at the same time it is a single transaction and therefore very churlish to charge you twice.

Original poster

auntyquated · 23/02/2006 20:29

i wil be doing GDG...but she said "Well you can't do that until all the charges have been takien"

OP posts:

Original poster

auntyquated · 23/02/2006 20:30

it's been a well behaved account since i had DD and she is nearly 10. all that goes into it is child ben and all that comes out is World Vision payment aND Shoes

OP posts:

anchovies · 23/02/2006 20:31

Definitely threaten to close the accounts. Failing that I have used the "but the lady I spoke to on the phone said if I came in the branch you would refund the charges" line. Very naughty I know, but it was an honest mistake!

hugeheadofhair · 23/02/2006 20:35

Put your request in writing, explaining the mistake, pointing out that there was actually money available (on the other account)and that the charges are not in proportion to the amount taken and that you are a loyal customer who is not normally overdrawn on that account. It might be that you just had the wrong person at the counter, one who doesn't want to bother the manager for example. I was in a similar position once and the waived all the charges when I put it in writing. Goodluck!

doormat · 23/02/2006 20:35

tbh dont think there is much you can do as it would be seem to be your mistake if wrong cards were used

I once was charged over £300 in total for bank charges for £17 that was taken out of my account

it was from a company (radio rentals) rented washing machine and payed them monthly in the shop, but they needed bank details for credit check purposes
unbeknown to me they were taking £17 a month out of account until it was too late.
Because the details were taken over the phone, there was nothing I could do about it except cancel standing order.
After coming to arrangement to pay charges at £20 a week to clear off charges was told that charges actually came to £35 a week, so was getting nowhere.
Just went in with £100 and asked them to wipe charges off with that and they did.

cori · 23/02/2006 20:37

Yes apparently it is possible to get bank charges back. I ahvent tried it, but there was a law student on LBC radio that did this. You need to write to the bank here is a sample letter that includes the main points you need raise.

cori · 23/02/2006 20:41

Also advice at www.bankactiongroup.co.uk

cori · 23/02/2006 20:41

Also advice at www.bankactiongroup.co.uk

alliebaba · 23/02/2006 20:41

if you would have received first letter when it was sent, then you would not have accrued further charges... try and get them to refund again, i'd ring the helpful lady back and see if she can contact your branch. If not write a letter offering to pay the first charge...it is a load os b*llocks though..either theor automated letter system has fouled up or the usual royal mail shinanigans

CountessDracula · 23/02/2006 20:42

halifx are cnuts

sorry but they are

Aero · 23/02/2006 20:44

Marvellous letter cori.

I have had bank charges refunded in the past, simply by explaining the situation to the right person, but I appreciate this isn't always possible and I think a letter would be better - after all you did have funds available in the other account, so it is rather unfair to charge so much for a simple mistake.
Failing that, I'd take my business elsewhere, (and that threat is often enough to make them listen).

doormat · 23/02/2006 20:46

you could go to the ombudsman
dont know the details but heard of this after my event

Original poster

auntyquated · 23/02/2006 20:56

great letter cori..may adapt it and use that if one more telephone call doesn't owrk.
i'm sure they choose the stroppiest cow possible to put on customer services..i knew as soon as i saw her face that it was going to be a none-winner

OP posts:

Original poster

auntyquated · 23/02/2006 20:58

do you think they record the number of attempts to get the refund. ie. could i go back tomorrow and try a different ladty?
or do i sort out telephone banking and seek out the nicelady

OP posts:

Dustanyone · 23/02/2006 21:15

Put it in writing and hand it in at bank.

I'm with Nationwide and have two accounts. At the end of Jan I tried to move money from one to the other for direct debits but the internet site would not let me transfer the money. The next day 4 dds were returned resulting in charges of £130. I took a letter in and got one back 3 days later saying all charges had been dropped.

Give it another go!

Original poster

auntyquated · 23/02/2006 21:19

is it a sign of the times that i didn't think of writing to them?
I will do it tomorrow...but do i need to send it OR hand it in OR email them?

OP posts:

Milliways · 23/02/2006 21:20

I work in a bank, and when we can see 2 accounts muddled we will refund (first time). Ask if you can have 1 cash card reissued with name amended so one has full first name & 1 initials, or only 1 quotes middle initial etc.

Cheque books are easy as can be labelled - No 2 account, bills account, or whatever you like.

Original poster

auntyquated · 23/02/2006 21:22

i also have 2 barclays accounts and the cards are clearly labelled account one and account two. so much easier.
this is the first time that they have been muddled with this result...sometime ago i did an internet tranfer the wrong way round but it didn't have these consequences - i just doubel transfeered it back iyswim

OP posts:

oops · 23/02/2006 21:25

Message withdrawn

Original poster

auntyquated · 24/02/2006 09:10

thanks oops...very interseting reading.
i will listen to it when i have made my cuppa.

OP posts:

RachD · 24/02/2006 09:29

As others ave suggested, go back to the lady who was helpful on the telephone.
Note down her name.
Once you get someone helpful, on your side, you're half way there.
Ask her to ring your branch.
Or ring your branch & tell them that 'nice lady's name' said she could do a...b...c...
No need to take it any further at this stage.
This kind of thing can be sorted easy.
If not, ask to speak to your branch manager. Insist that he returns your call today.

RachD · 24/02/2006 09:29

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