In July 2004 I got made redunant. I got another job on 21st September. Between those dates, RBOS bounced 8 direct debits costing me £280. They were aware of my situation but wouldn't give me an overdraft or help in any way.

Am I correct in thinking that they're not entitled to that? When you're unemployed, £280 is a LOT of food and would have been a lot more helpful during my unemployment.

If so, where do I start?

Hi Steve,

have you just asked for it back? On the phone or in writing.

Do you think that there are more charges on the account over the 6 years?

Wxx

This is why I'm asking. Somehow, I don't think they're going to give the money back if I phone them up and say "Can you give me that money back that you took off me when I was unemployed" nor will I be getting off to a good start with "Hey! You're breaking the law!"

What do I need to say to them? There were a couple of other charges after this while I was trying to sort my finances out.

edite

I agree it's not the banks fault I was made redundant. However, there's a lot to be said for giving me an overdraft of £190 to cover £188 of direct debits, or to charge me £280 for not paying them. Either way I ended up with a negative bank balance but doing it their way, I ended up doubling the amount of money I had to pay out as not only did I have to pay my "unauthorised" overdraft back, but I still had to pay the direct debits that they'd refused. So the only winner was RBS.

It wouldn't have taken much for the bank to help me meet my financial obligations but it was easier and more profitable for them to bounce the direct debits.

it was easier and more profitable for them to bounce the direct debits.

Sad but very true Steve - go get that 280 quid !!!

For anyone that's interested, I got a letter from RBS today stating that their charges are fair and they are satisfied that their tariff complies with all applicable laws and regualtions.

And they offered me £45 as "full and final settlement."

edited

steve, do you think youve had any more charges over the years......if the answer is yes then its probaly worth asking for your statements £5 from the branch or £10 for a full dpa request

add them up and go for it

Dave

There is a period of my life that was a complete mess. In 2001 I had a well paid job with a drunk for a boss. I complained about him and got made "redundant". The job I was made redundant from was immediately advertised and filled about 3 weeks later and I still hadn't received my redundancy payment. I went to a solicitor to claim for unfair dismissal but I got ripped off by the solicitor. Thanks to them, they said they could go to the tribunal and I had a good case but I had to pay my bill. The only way I could pay my bill was with the redundancy cheque and selling my car. So what started off as promises of £35,000 ended up as a debt of £5,000. Then I got another job and that company went in to liquidation 4 months later. I got another job, it lasted 7 months. And then another lasted 4. All redundancies, genuine unlike the first. By this time 26 months had passed and I'd spent almost half of it with no income. I joined the company I with now almost 2 years ago (2 years on the 22nd) and things are looking better. But...

I have a big argument ongoing with first direct who accused me of being a liar when I got made redundant so many times and refused to pay up on payment protection insurance on any of their products that I had from them. They cancelled my account so I went to RBS. This coincided with one of my redundancies and my account went overdrawn a couple of times. On all the occasions it was because of their charges. But the relationship with them was severed when they threatened me with legal action for being 72p overdrawn.

I've been with nationwide for 25 months and my job for almost 24 months and things are definitely getting better. But First Direct still think I owe them money so I've sent them the data protection act letter and I'm going to get back my charges from them and mention their mis-sold payment insurance protection to an ombudsman or two.

So, to eventually answer your question Dave, I wasn't with RBOS for long enough for them to have charged me any more. They were too incompetent.

It's one of those things - I've never been one to let people or companies walk all over me but I didn't know then what they could and couldn't get away with. Now I know, I'm "reclaiming the right". As they say.

Oh yes, go for their jugular Steve! Every time I read a story like yours I'm appalled that the banks got away with this kind of power-play for so long. Best of luck to you and if you need any help you know where to turn

second that !!!

Dave

Nice one RBS CArds owe me £142 so i won't have to attend court !

Well, the Post Man has just been (5pm?) and I'm £280 richer. Just waiting to see if the same thing works with First Direct which, if memory serves, will see me retiring at 36. OK, it's not that much, but RBOS was my practice run