Wit's end how to help dd2 and bf when I can't afford to take their debts on

[lemonice]

I posted on similar problem last year and everyone was really helpful and advice was taken by me and I felt very supported. But, the debt problem remains and although they are now both working they are suffering mad bank charges specifically bf has an official overdraft of £500.000 which is more or less permanent, his pay which is about minimum wagfe goes into that account he tends to draw out small amounts and keeps within the OD limit just about last week his bank took two payments out of £105 each time for "misuse of his bank card" can they do this? Obviuosly bringing him way over his OD limit and practically equalling or over his weeks wages? They have been to CAB for help with debt but told they didn't owe enough???

Hmmm, can't find anything on their website about a fees cap, looks like they might have removed it.

They have adjusted the terminolgy slightly since I worked there - 'misuse fee' covers any use of his card when already over his OD limit.

Thanks Saint george I think he must have gone over the limit by a small sum and then withdrawn several amounts of £5.00 and each one has attracted a £35.00 charge but these two amounts of £105.00 were taken two days apart which is completely ridiculous.

He did try to get a loan but they wouldn't let him have one. But that might have been as well as the OD I'm not sure, I'm seeing dd2 tomorrow and try to clarify (can't phone her unfortunately)

Agree that to take 2 lots like that is ridiculous and they may well consider reducing that if approached correctly. We used to have discretion (it is all computerised now I think) and in a similar case I would have charged one lot of £35 with a warning letter and bounced any subsequent items with no charge. The trouble is you can't bounce cash back transactions. Also, if this is something he is doing repeatedly month after month then the bank may have lost patience with him ? that?s why I always recommend a proactive approach and speaking to the bank before it gets to this stage. If he continues to use his plastic in this way he is at risk of having it withdrawn which will be a big black mark in the bank?s eyes.

I wouldn?t really recommend opening a new account at a different bank unless he can guarantee getting his finances in order. Also, keeping the overdraft is going to cost more in the long run. Consolidation onto a fixed rate loan is the best bet. If he writes down all income/expenditure and then approaches the bank on that basis I would be very surprised if they still turned him down (unless there is something else in his history I obviously don?t know about).

HTH

Well the upshot of his visit to the bank to discuss it was that they gave him back 35.00 as "a goodwill gesture " which I think is appalling in the circumstances as they took 210.00.

I have a business account with Natwest and I am now making it a priority to move elsewhere..won't make any difference but will make me feel better...

And thank you all for the advice without which I don't think he would have had the confidence to approach them.

Dd is opening a bill payment account with secure homes ? Has anyone tried that as a way to help manage financially (it seems costly to me)