Banks taking charges from benefit?

[k-amos]

Hi, im actually posting this one on behalf of my sister who has lost her PC in a dramatic frazzling incident!
Anyway. Her bank, NatWest have been taking charges all over the place (as they do), but she has stopped all monies besides her child tax credit and child benefit from going into the account (because of the unfair charges) She has been told by several people that the bank are acting unlawfully taking money from her benefit payments for charges, is this correct? I am aware that the charges themselves are unlawful, the question is can they take benefit money? and if not, what should she do about it?. Thanks

[sea-sidelady]

If they are taking the money from her benefits, then she should send this. letter before its due out.

Right of Appropriation - Stop the bank from taking your money

[k-amos]

thankyou very much this should do the trick

[sea-sidelady]

If they STILL take it after the letter has been sent (recorded delivery) then you can put in a complaint to FOS. But we can cross that if need be.

[Weird Al Yankovic]

Hi

I've had two similar incidents of this with A&L and Barclays.

Sea-sidelady is correct, however, this will only be effective for future charges.

A&L put on my account late charges, overdrawn charges due to late charges, monthly overdrawn charges, returned dd charges, interest on the charges etc etc and within one month my balance was minus £550 from being £2.12 in credit.

I wrote a letter to A&L and quoted the Social Securities Act whereby the state will effectively be paying these charges as I was unemployed.

I also stated that I did not in fact have an overdraft facility on my account, being unemployed, yet A&L had effectively forced upon me lending, an overdraft, which is irresponsible.

I explained that unless I received a reply within 14 days I would take the matter further.

Within a week A&L cancelled all the charges but closed my account.

Barclays have also closed my account but have informed me that a total of £28.14, which are just charges, will not be pursued until the court case is resolved with the OFT.

Try that and good luck.