Bank charges

[martinocat]

Hello and Good Morning!

This is my first post and I desperately need some advice regarding escalating bank charges. I have had a current account with A&L for about six years. The account has been almost unused for the last year except for one DD for £35 each month. I do not have an overdraft facility and the account has never been in the red.

Oversight (my fault) meant insufficient funds to meet November £35 DD leaving us £18 overdrawn but I was not notified of this until December statement arrived one month later. Statement included £25 "account review fee" and advised unauthorised overdraft fees of £5 per day for 30 days (£150) were to be applied to account late December!

Paid in sufficient cash to cover overdrawn balance plus the £25 review fee. Then called A&L to protest about £150 o/d fees and was advised charges would be "sent up" for management review. Waited 2 weeks got letter offering £50 credit to my account. Wrote back saying this only reduced the charge from £175 to £125 for going £18 overdrawn which was wildly excessive.

Found out yesterday that a further £160 has now been added in charges for December/January as we have not paid the original charge of £150 for November!!! This means the total charge so far for the £18 o/draft is now £335 and rising by £5 a day!

I have a 100% unblemished credit record so should I pay the money then take them to court or should I risk a CCJ and refuse to pay anything and tell them to take ME to court if they think the charges are lawful? Bearing in mind they are continuing to charge me £5 per day for being overdrawn. HELP PLEASE!!
Martinocat

[saintly_1]

Hi and welcome to CAG

You could try going into your local breanch to talk to them and see if they will refund the charges sometimes tis works better than over the phone.

Or you could send them this letter 2. Letter - Preliminary approach for repayment.

You should start a New thread in the A&L forum found here where you will receive help from people who have had dealings with them


saint

[Kerr]

Hi this is my first time using any forums still not sure if i am doing it right.
Anyway i have discovered several hundred pounds worth of referal plus fee over the last 6 years with northern bank. on reading others in the group I don't know whether to proceed with the claim as I am unsure if I should have paid although some months i had several posting off fees and referral for being overdrawn. I know things are on hold at the moment but i need some advice

[Rooster-UK]

Originally Posted by Kerr

Hi this is my first time using any forums still not sure if i am doing it right.
Anyway i have discovered several hundred pounds worth of referal plus fee over the last 6 years with northern bank. on reading others in the group I don't know whether to proceed with the claim as I am unsure if I should have paid although some months i had several posting off fees and referral for being overdrawn. I know things are on hold at the moment but i need some advice

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MODERATOR'S NOTE.... Please start your own thread. Don't hijack someone elses for your own claim.

Regards, Rooster.

[martinocat]

Thank you Saintly 1 (what a great name)!! I will take your advice and try to see the branch manager next week. I will also post a new thread using the link you have kindly provided.

My first visit to the branch early in six years was when I popped in early January to pay in some money to cover DD and £25 penalty charge! So not too hopeful that it will be resolved in the branch but it's certainly worth a try. Even though I have been in dispute with them since Jan 5th, they have continued to add charges every day and my initial
£17.77 overdrawn balance which I repaid early in January has now escalated to £380 because of these charges and is climbing daily!

I have sent them a letter telling them to take me to court for the money but I am a bit concerned that if I should lose the case (which I think unlikely) I would then have a CCJ on my credit file. I have a rock solid credit score but I don't think any court would consider bank charges like this to be fair or proportionate so I think I should risk going to court.

Thanks for taking the time to offer good advice.

Regards

Martinocat