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Original poster

I reclaimed my bank charges and got them back quite quickly without any hassle

45 replies

Neuro · 23/05/2007 15:14

My bank is Royal Bank of Scot and having followed the advice on Martin's Money Saving Expert website the whole process took about 7 weeks. I also added on the interest they had charged me every month not just the charges.
So I'd reccommend giving it a go if you bank with them, but think you need to hurry as i'm sure the banks are trying to get the law changed.

OP posts:
Lolly68 · 23/05/2007 15:27

Well done on getting your money back. I have just phoned Natwest after sending them my claim 14 days ago and was informed that my claim wasnt on the data base yet(even though I know it was signed for). The girl said that they are receiving 2000 claims per day so I dont know how long I have to wait!!

Original poster
Neuro · 23/05/2007 15:46

Well if i remember correctly they have 28 days to send you your bank statements for last 6 years and once you send off your claim detailing all the unfair charges, they only have 14 days to at least reply to you. Keep sending registered post and don't for one minute feel sorry for your bank! They make plenty of money out of you. Also each time you send something off, plot in your diary when they should have replied by. Makes the whole process really easy.
So what if they get 2000 claims a day? Tough bloody bollocks!
And just follow the procedure to the t. They'll prob take you more seriously than people who just accept that they're busy.
Good luck and keep at it. I used mine to pay off some large mounting bills and debts which kept my head above water.

OP posts:
squeakybub · 23/05/2007 15:53

This reply has been deleted

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Lolly68 · 23/05/2007 16:18

They did send me them and never charged me. The 1st time ever they have never charged me!!

Lolly68 · 23/05/2007 16:19

Neuro - I sent my claim 14 days ago by recorded and it was signed for on 9 May. I gave them 14 days to respond and they still haven't. When I phoned they said that someone would phone me tomorrow to let me know what was going on. Shall I wait for them to phone and then send the LBA?

Original poster
Neuro · 23/05/2007 16:33

Squeakybub - When asking for all your backdated (6 yrs they will go back to) statements send a £10 chq or postal order as this is a chargeable service.
But yes, they HAVE to send you these according to Data laws and info that companies hold on you. I'm no legal eagle though, I simply followed everything MOney Saving Expert reccommended to do.
Lolly68 - I wouldn't waste time on phoning them as you can't record a phone call unless it's in your diary and that's not an official record. So just push on and send the second letter, save your phone bill and keep a note of your dates when sending letters, AND keep sending registered post.
They might say someone will phone you back but that's probably to put you off. Always better to get stuff in writing with banks.
It really does vary from bank to bank the reaction you get, but the law remains the same for all of them.

OP posts:
Lolly68 · 24/05/2007 10:50

Natwest just phoned me back and they have lost my claim. I have to now fax in a schedule of all the charges so they can validate it - absolutely furious of all the claims they must receive and mine goes missing!!!

Original poster
Neuro · 25/05/2007 14:25

Hmmm well, they may have lost your claim, OR they may just be trying to drag it out to put you off. Keep going, but why not call them back and say you'd like a name of a person to send it to and that you will send it recorded delivery, that way you will have proof that you sent it and they can't wriggle out of that.
Good luck

OP posts:
rowan1971 · 25/05/2007 14:29

Did any of you set up 'parachute' accounts, as recommended by St Martin, before proceeding? We have a rather, ahem, large overdraft, and I'm wondering whether any other bank would be prepared to take it on... any ideas?

jambuttie · 25/05/2007 18:33

Neuro i too am with RBS and must say they also dealt with mine and paid out very very quick

eemie · 02/06/2007 10:41

HSBC have just repaid mine without a fuss.

I didn't threaten them with anything, just wrote a polite letter asking for a refund 'as I am advised that the charges do not represent the real cost to the bank of administering the account'.

They acknowledged the letter immediately then wrote again two months later agreeing to pay 'without prejudice'.

dinny · 02/06/2007 10:44

so do you have to work out the amount they owe you by looking at your statements? over how long?

anyone got money back from Lloyds?

MellowMa · 02/06/2007 10:46

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schnapps · 02/06/2007 10:50

HSBC are defending my claim! Eeeek!

MellowMa · 02/06/2007 10:52

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CycleIndia2008 · 02/06/2007 10:53

I got some bank charges back fomr Natwest without any hassle too! I think some do straight away but the odd time to defend their charges they decided to appeal against it.. They know they will ultimately lose though so keep going.. good luck

schnapps · 02/06/2007 11:10

I thought that if a claim is being defended that it will definitely go to court? I read yesterday (can't remember where) that since one judge has found in favour of a bank, they all could.

MellowMa · 02/06/2007 12:22

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madamez · 04/06/2007 15:54

AM in the last week of waiting to hear and my nerves are in shreds. I have been over my overdraft limit quite a bit and bounced quite a few things, because I spend a lot of time working for people who were bad, erratic payers - sometimes paying a couple of days late, sometiems paying months late. What exactly counts as "running your account terribly"? Surely the principle is the same (that the amount we are charged does not reflect the cost of bouncing a cheque or direct debit) whether we do it a couple of tiems or a couple of hundred times?

snowwonder · 04/06/2007 15:58

great i am with RBOS i must sort myself out to get this organised

enjoy the money,

snowwonder · 04/06/2007 16:00

did you set up a replacement account elswhere before claimimg as martin lewis suggests?

MellowMa · 04/06/2007 16:03

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snowwonder · 04/06/2007 16:26

never overdrawn until they charge me and make it overdrawn!!

MellowMa · 04/06/2007 18:12

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eemie · 04/06/2007 20:19

Didn't set up parachute account - but didn't threaten legal action either, just politely requested refund. Didn't use the word 'claim'.

If they say they're defending the claim it does not mean it will go to court. They say that to intimidate you.

Judges are revolting (snigger) because banks are settling so many claims out of court at the last minute, so wasting court time as it's too late to book anyone else in.

HTH