Help & Advice Needed

[jimbo1954]

Ok Guys


This is the story, I read with graet interest many of the articles with regard to bank charges and claiming them back. Online I can only acces my statements going back over the past two years although my account has been open for 12 years, and at a rough count I have been charged in "unauterised fees" around £700.

I phoned the call centre of the Cooperatve Bank, and politely asked if they can tell me how much I have paid in charges since the account opened, the lady on the phone asked what I needed the information for, I told her that I believed the charges to be unfair and illegal, I wished to claim them back. She told me it was not possible to claim them back, all charges were make in accordance with the terms and conditions which were agreed by me when I opened the account.
I explained I had seen a news article on TV and also had information from websites outlining the charges were basically not legal and I wished to pursue the claim when I had the amount I had been charged over the years banking with them. She them took my number and said that somebody would call me back today, sure enough I got the call, explaing to me that the news article I had seen only related to credit cards, the "Banks" had untill the 31 May to decide if they are going with OFT's decision, also the only way I would get the information on charges would be to purchase copy statements at a charge of £5 each. I told her i was going to apply for the information under the Data Protection Act which should only incur a £10 fee, a slight shift in attitude and tone ensued informing me "statements dont come under the DPA and the only way I would get them was to buy them.
I told her that she was wrong and asked to speak to somebody senior, she gave me customer services address in Skelmersdale and told me she couldnt discuss it any further.
(seems to have caused a bit of a stir, I wonder why!!!!)

I am now applying for this information under Data Protection Act.

The Help bit!!!

when I get this information, which charges are legal and which are not.
How far back can I take this claim, I read 6 years was the limit, but if it is illegal now it must have been illegal beyond 6 years.
should I wait for the Data Protection Act information before applying for a refund.

[Jamboray]

Hi Jimbo,

This is my first post on this web site, but my understanding is that you total up all the charges on your statements, then work out what they would have been at £12? The extra that you paid you claim for? Plus a bit for costs poss 8%

As I said that is my understanding.

[dave]

Nope. They can only charge £12 if it costs them £12.

Even the OFT conceded this.

It can cost no more than pennies to bounce a DD, SO or cheque and for you to go over your overdraft limit.

That is the maximum allowed by law.

Follow the step by step instructions and you will get your money back.

Read the FAQs - seriously. If you are going to take on an institution with unlimited funds, it really pays to know your stuff.

Don't fret though - a few days here and you will know it.

You can and will get all your money back if you are prepared to go the distance.
It's not a game and can get quite serious.

The thing to remember is, that they are not entitled legally to that money - you are.

[Jamboray]

Thanks Dave that sounds even better i'm sure i'll get a hang of it soon, i'll read up on the notes. I'm more than happy to go the distance with these sharks as they made my life hell!!