Hello everyone. This is my very first post, so please excuse me if I don't make myself very clear. I have a student account and student overdraft with RBOS and I hate them. Basically, I've just had a baby and have gone from being a full-time student (with full student loan) to a part-time student with one loan payment per year. They don't like this, and have been calling me non-stop about the lack of funds in my account. Also, (this is what I really want to ask about) I went over my overdraft limit by about £6 ages ago and they've been charging me a statutory £10 per month penalty for this for ages, plus about £3pm interest. Does anyone know if I can claim this back in the usual way? I'm unsure because it's a lower amount than the normal £39 charge for bounced direct debits etc. Do student accounts have different rules, and if I take them to court will I be in danger of losing? Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi Leona and welcome, it may be best to post your thread on the thread specially for RBOS to get more specific advice but I'll try to help you. Firstly I would advise you if you can to open a "parachute" account with another bank as almost certainly if you take action against the Bank they will close your account in retaliation - against the rules, but thats what they do! Although £10 is below what most banks are charging, you could still send in a SAR request which will show any transactions on your account and show up the dreaded charges then you could raise a claim if they won't give it back. If on the other hand you would like them to disappear, you could send a request for the properly executed agreement (letter under General Debt - CCA requests). Send Recorded delivery or if you can afford it Special Delivery then you can track the arrival and do the countdown of 12+2 days

when they are in default if they haven't sent it to you and 30 days on they will have committed an offence if they haven't produced it, the debt being unenforceable - the choice is yours, don't let them bully you!

Thank you very much for your help, Miss Muppet. Will have to think about that one as I have an overdraft with them and don't fancy having to pay it all back straight away!

Hiya Leona,

How strange, I came across this earlier when looking at RBS charges as I had unexplained £10.00 charges each month on my statements. I thought was for being a Royalties account, however, I got this from their website.....

Unarranged overdraft - maintenance charge£28 per month

(£10 per month for R21/Graduate & Student customers)

Really hope this helps you honey. Having recently had a baby myself I know that it feels like you must have holes in your pockets. Don't let them grind you down and seriously look at shopping around for a new student account. All you have to say is that you are unhappy with the service at your bank and would like to swap. They are likely to swap like for like i.e. match your o/d. If you don't fancy doing it face to face (and let's face it your probably tied to the nappy bin at the mo!) have a look online - they are easy enough to fill in.

Good luck honey

love fiesty xx

Thanks Fiesty! Yup, tied to the nappy bin just about sums it up. Have also just done some research on MoneySavingExpert and apparently these £10 per month 'maintenance charges' are unfortunately one of the ones that can't be reclaimed. I do have some other card misuse charges form a few years ago though, so might try to reclaim them, if I can find a spare minute! x

No no Leona - you can claim these back. They are charges for exceeding your overdraft - you just pay £10.00 instead of the £28.00 cos you are a student.

You shouldn't have any maintenance charges on your student account as far as I am aware.

If you are still unsure check if you have been charged £10.00 every month for the life of your student account - I bet you haven't, and then compare month's where you have stayed in your o/d with when you haven't. I guarantee that when you have gone over your o/d, the next month you will be charged £10.00. Mine were usually charged on the 18 th of the month and looked like this

CHG TO 02/May A/C XXXXXXXX £10.00 18th May

If you still aren;t sure PM a mod for clarification but I'm sure that is correct.

xx

Oooh, really? If I can claim them then it may even be enough to pay off my overdraft. This is the link to the MSE info about not being able to reclaim: What charges you can claim - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

What do you think? I will PM a mod too. Thanks!

NO worries!

Had a look and I believe these come under 'unauthorised overdraft fees' which you CAN claim back.

I started my claim with MSE too but it's better here!! Honestly get your SAR off and get started. It's a long slow process but so many people have been successful.

Good luck xx

Thank you! xx