Went to withdraw some money today, only to find out did not have enough funds in my bank account, on looking I see a charge of £20, first of all I think whats this for, never been overdrawn

So I get home, go-online and check my statements, and find that sometime in Jan 2011 I was overdrawn by 15p, but the next day my tax credits were in my account, and brought me back under my overdraft limit

When I used my card back in jan 2011, I had an idea, my account balance was low, and would just have enough money in my account for the purchase, but at the same time expected it to be declined if there wasnt enough funds

How does the decline system work, if it a few pence does it allow the transaction to go through, but if a few pound decline it

I have even asked the bank to refund the charge, as I believe the transaction should have been declined

I have a £200 overdraft, which im trying to reduce, now as it stands with the service charge of £6 I have no issue with this, but the next part, I think is just robbery on rbs part

The service charge is suppose to come out on the 17 of March or the nearest Monday in the month to this date

Every Tue I get tax credit of £39 into my account, and because of my work shift, I get home around 1am, and round 2.30 am, when my account is update, my tax credits are paid in, at the same time every 4 weeks, the bank takes the service charge, but they log the date as Mon 17 Mar

Now on 3 occasions I have been charged for going overdrawn, so unarranged overdraft fee is applied, now I think this charge is unfair, as how can I be overdrawn, if the bank takes the service charge early Tue morning

I know its possible it will be technicality on rbs part, and will argue, the charge stands, so has this happened to anyone else

rbs link when you click this BCOBS

dx

The bank takes the fee on the monday as they have already advised you.

I'm assuming you get home from work and check your internet banking, so the fact that the fee only appears on internet banking in the early hours of tuesday morning does not affect this.

You must keep in mind porrohman65, the banks sole reason for giving you an account in the beginning is to rip you off, that is their main purpose in life, it is a rip-off institution.

They know that if they take the service charge out after your tax credits have been deposited, you will still be within your limit, but by taking it out before the deposit, then you will be outside your limit and can make lots of lovely lolly from you.

You must have seen the reports in the media about their criminal activity, leave them and go with one of the smaller more 'honest' banks.

You must keep in mind porrohman65, the banks sole reason for giving you an account in the beginning is to rip you off, that is their main purpose in life, it is a rip-off institution.

Simplistic comment which is not helpful to the OP.

They know that if they take the service charge out after your tax credits have been deposited, you will still be within your limit, but by taking it out before the deposit, then you will be outside your limit and can make lots of lovely lolly from you.

Nope.

The service charge was taken on the Monday as it was supposed to.

The tax credit was paid into the account on the date specified by HMRC, which was the Tuesday.

The service charge is not taken on the Tuesday as the OP thinks. Transactions don't appear right away because they are not processed in real-time. There may also be an additional delay for the information to appear on internet banking.

Unfortunately the OP doesn't have a valid complaint but you didn't know that because you don't have the relevant knowledge and didn't take time to address the real issue here.

Now porrohman65, I know money may be tight (you're not the only one ) but perhaps you can save a small amount each month/week and eventually build your own overdraft buffer. So you always keep the account in credit by at least, for example, £200. That way it's there if you need it and you don't get any charges. There are numerous ways which you may not have even thought of that can save you money - to start with you can reduce your current expenditure by shopping around for the best deal when it comes to mobiles, utility companies, other bills etc.

Bank charges are essentially optional and good financial management can ensure that you never have to pay any.

You must have seen the reports in the media about their criminal activity, leave them and go with one of the smaller more 'honest' banks.

Do you have any examples and recommendations as presumably you also make use of a small honest bank?