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Original poster

Bank charges

19 replies

toots123 · 28/09/2025 16:36

I had an account with a bank 15-20 years ago which I closed and moved to another bank.
It seems now theyre contacting me to help with financial hardship which sounds like they've been adding charges onto the account which I thought was closed.
I dont have any paperwork for the account, dont know the account details and havent logged onto online banking for the best part of 20 years.
Im worried when I call them tomorrow that they claim I owe thousands. Any advice?

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 28/09/2025 18:47

Are you sure it isn't a scam?
If you call, use a number you find independently, not the one provided on the contact you have received.

Saracen · 28/09/2025 18:48

How did they contact you? Could it be a scam?

When you phone them, make sure you use a number from their website, not one you have been given by text/letter etc.

Saracen · 28/09/2025 18:49

LOL snap!

Shr3dding · 28/09/2025 18:55

If some scammers would like to write to me offering help with financial hardship I'll happily take their money 😁

I'm assuming you aren't able to log on to the old account @toots123 , seems strange that if they've been adding charges for so long they wouldn't have contacted you before now

Original poster
toots123 · 28/09/2025 21:08

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely get a number myself and make sure its not a scam. This was my first thought as I had a call yesterday too.
What if it isnt though?!

OP posts:
NoEffingWay · 28/09/2025 21:12

Have you checked your credit report?

Noshadowsinthedark · 28/09/2025 21:12

I don’t think they would phone. I think it would have been via a letter, so it sounds like a scam.

Also they would have been able to find you quicker than 20 years if they thought you owed them money.

Not knowing the agreement you had with them makes it difficult but I also wonder what it is they’re charging you for?

HateThese4Leggedbeasts · 28/09/2025 21:13

What did the letter say specifically? Are you sure it wasn't just a general letter they send to all customers and you got it in error?

Gdpr would mean they should not still have your details after so long though.

Original poster
toots123 · 28/09/2025 22:43

Thanks for the replies.
Nothing on credit score. They're likely to have an old address given how long ago it was.
Will try and call a number from their website tomorrow

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · 28/09/2025 22:46

If they try to hit you with 20 years of charges and haven’t been in contact all that time and you clearly haven’t used it I’d see who the banking ombudsman is, fsa perhaps?

Original poster
toots123 · 28/09/2025 22:50

ACynicalDad · 28/09/2025 22:46

If they try to hit you with 20 years of charges and haven’t been in contact all that time and you clearly haven’t used it I’d see who the banking ombudsman is, fsa perhaps?

Thanks @ACynicalDad I thought similar or citizen advice. Ive been unable to log in so surely that would be obvious on my account and they would freeze it.
Sounds like a scam, hopefully they can confirm tomorrow

OP posts:
Noshadowsinthedark · 29/09/2025 13:16

How did you get on OP?

I hope it was good news!

Original poster
toots123 · 29/09/2025 16:05

Hello! Only managed to call this afternoon.
They were trying to contact me, there are charges on the account and I need to pay them to close it (apparently it was open!)
The good news is that the amount due isnt much at all so I'm happy to pay it just to allow me to close the account.
Its around £50, now wondering if I should challenge it or just pay it so I can have them off my back.

OP posts:
Noshadowsinthedark · 29/09/2025 16:12

For £50 I would pay to be honest.

Noshadowsinthedark · 29/09/2025 16:12

Glad it’s not thousands!

Shr3dding · 29/09/2025 16:23

toots123 · 29/09/2025 16:05

Hello! Only managed to call this afternoon.
They were trying to contact me, there are charges on the account and I need to pay them to close it (apparently it was open!)
The good news is that the amount due isnt much at all so I'm happy to pay it just to allow me to close the account.
Its around £50, now wondering if I should challenge it or just pay it so I can have them off my back.

£50 to me is a lot, I wouldn't pay without at least checking to see if I did instruct them to close the account in case it was their mistake

Lennonjingles · 29/09/2025 16:54

I would want to see all the details in writing of these charges before paying anything and I certainty wouldn’t be paying anything by card.

Original poster
toots123 · 29/09/2025 18:19

Thanks all. I will be asking more about these charges and why theyre now being added (why not before now, doesnt make sense!!) No payment has been made yet so im hoping if I complain they could wave them or at the very least, reduce the amount due

OP posts:
Fannon · 29/09/2025 18:29

You need to understand how this 50 quid debt has been incurred. Please don't just pay it.

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