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.

[Bovvered]

Any charges relating to unpaid items, bounced cheques, returned DDs, unauthorised overdraft fees etc

I think it's the Statute of Limitations that allows you to go back 6 years

[Spiceskull]

I hope you used the template from the library - this also includes a request for information about manual intervention. I also hope you sent £10, or authorside the decuction of £10, so that they cannot use non-payment as a stalling tactic.

It is best to wait until you do get your statements - that way you will be able to calculate an accurate figure to put in your letter asking for refund.

Good luck.