Thread: Been hit with £275.00 in charges in last two months.

Yep, it was my fault, I know for going over my o/d limit, but I've just counted up how much it has cost me. Was stunned.

I have mailed the bank (Citibank) asking for the charges to be rescinded stating that it would cause us very severe financial hardship (it really will), and they have said no.

Sent them another mail, asking again to have them rescinded, again stating the severe financial hardship and also advising them of the on going OFT case re penalties applied by banks. I'm awaiting their response.

Any suggestions guys?

I've already been in touch with the mortgage company to get our repayment switched temporarily to an interest only one for six months, but this £275 would be a big help to us in actually being able to buy essentials this month.

Citibank are one of the institutions where its hard to gain a refund unfortunately.

That said if you decided to proceed to make a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service, they will levy a fee of £450 against the bank for their involvement.

Therefore I would be tempted to write to Citi requesting a refund of the penalty charges on your account mentioning the fee that the fos will impose if an arrangement cannot be made to refund the charges. If they have any sense refunding £275, is alot more attractive than having to shell out £450.

The FSA has a waiver built into the current stay on claims under circumstances of hardship so you would have to mention this if you were to contact the FOS.

Thanks for the info guys, it now looks as if, for various other reasons, I may have to go down the CCCS route.

Wifey's contract has finished, only my money coming in, which leaves us a shortfall for the bills alone of over £600.00.

Just when I thought my defaults were almost finished, it looks like I may be going back to square one