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Nice to see I'm not the only one with a gripe about these charges. Just a shame I didn't read all this sooner before I started off wrongly.
I sent the below letter to A&L yesterday. I suppose I'll just wait for a reply to it and use the time to read up on this site before starting the recommended process.
Is it just me or do these charges seem even worse than normal?
Re: Default charges on account number XXXXXXXX, sort code XXXXXX
Dear Sir/Madam,
I refer to default charges which have been applied to my account by Alliance & Leicester, amounting to £125.
This consisted of 5 charges of £25 each that were all due to a single direct debit of £12.19 which would have exceeded my authorised overdraft limit by only £5.15. I did not withdraw any additional money from the account after this time. The charges are as follows:
· 15/09/2006 - £25 – Paid Item Charge
· 09/10/2006 - £25 – Day 1 unauthorised overdraft charge
· 09/10/2006 - £25 – Day 5 unauthorised overdraft charge
· Due 07/11/2006 - £25 – Day 1 unauthorised overdraft charge (Charging started again due to new statement month)
· Due 07/11/2006 - £25 – Day 5 unauthorised overdraft charge
I find it unbelievable that I can be charged £125 for going just £5 over my overdraft limit. As you can see from my account, I am having some real troubles with money at the moment and this sort of extortionate charging is just getting me further into debt that I have serious worries I am not going to be able to pay off.
On top of this, I did call the telephone banking on or around the 22nd September to see what I could do. I specifically asked them how much the charges were and if they were going to increase before I got paid on 28th September. I was told that the charges were capped at day 5 so I would not be charged any more than the £50 outstanding at that time.
Please can you explain to me how you can justify a charge of 25 times the original unauthorised overdraft which was caused by a minor mistake I made with my finances?
I am happy for you to contact me on 01XXX XXXXXX (day), 01XXX XXXXXX (evening), 079XXXXXXXX (mobile) to discuss the matter.
Yours faithfully
Well from the little I've read, I know now that this letter was pointless but I'll keep you all posted on what happens next.
Cheers for the quick advice Janquinny. Yeah, it's the only charges on the account. Only moved to A&L a year ago as I opened a mortgage with them and they offered me £250 cashback if I moved my current account to them at the same time.
Still have my old account open with Bank of Scotland so can move back there if account is closed.
I'm sure there's a few charges on that old account but think I'll use A&L as practice before I start on Bank of Scotland.
I sent a letter to A&L regarding bank charges back to june of this year 300.00, 10 days ago 75.00 appeared in my account and the next day a letter from A&L saying that the report by the oft was regarding credit card charges and did not relate to my current account charges but as a goodwill gesture thay where giving me back the said 75.00, is this true?, what more can I do or is this it
Hi bhzmc1,
I've not had a chance to fully read this site but, from what I've seen, the £75 should not be accepted as it seems you will get the full £300 back if you follow the recommended steps.
The oft did only rule on CC charges but that doesn't mean the banks are any less unlawful. When there is a ruling, I'm confident it will go the same way as the credit card ruling.
Read the FAQ's as they contain a step by step guide to the process, you are quite lucky as all i've had is two letters telling me to go away!!
If you follow the process on this site you will get a refund of your charges, reading the A&L forums will give you a good idea of the process they follow.
Well here's a turn-up for the books. Girlfriend just phoned just now to say there was a letter at the house from A&L. She opened it and read it out. The wording's a bit confusing but it sounds very much like they're refunding £100.
Sorry to wimp out folks, but if they really do refund £100, I'm not going to waste time chasing the other £25.
I'll keep you posted as to whether the money appears in my account or not.
Well its good news and not a massive amount short, wonder if they've caved in bacause it's only one incident and perhaps they realise trying to justify £125 in court may be ever so slightly difficult?
Alan V Alliance & Leicester
of £12.19 which would have exceeded my authorised overdraft
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Re: Alan V Alliance & Leicester
