Thanks dx100uk and bp, have decided to go for it and include contractual interest, if I can get my head round it.

Hi adam1968brown Thanks for that, do I use the simple spreadsheet or the advanced spreedsheet? Cooz1968

Is there anyone who can help me with the above questions please, I need some advice? Thanks Cooz1968

Hi Glenn http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=69563&referrerid=129641 I hope this is the link to my thread, new to all this!!! Thanks Cooz1968

Hi Genn Have been reading your thread with great interest, congrats so far. I'm about to start my own claim against Abbey back to 1994 with contractual interest. I have started my own thread, but unsure how to put a link in, everytime I try, my message gets wiped. My thread is Cooz1968 v Abbey, any help/advice greatly appreciated. Cooz1968

Hi, I'm totally new to all this and terrified of all the legal jargon. I had decided to reclaim my bank charges for the last six years without contractual interest. However, having read through quite a few threads recently, have now decided to go the full hog and claim back to when I first opened my account with Abbey in 1994. I think I will do it in two claims, one from 1998 to present day (I have all my statements) and the second claim will be from 1994 to 1998 (for which I will have to ask Abbey for my statements). However, the more threads I read, the more confused I get. Can someone please answer a couple of questions for me. Do I have to state that I am claiming contractual interest in my prelim letter? What rate of contractual interest do I used, authorised or unauthorised? I know the interest rates for now, but how do I find them for 1998, or do I just use todays rates? I presume I use the advanced excel spreadsheet for the schedule of charges, not sure I'm filling it out correctly though, as the interest doesn't seem to be nearly as high as others have mentioned in their threads? When it comes to court, as I am claiming the contractual interest can I also claim the statutory interest as well. I've also seen people talk about compounded interest, I'm confused help? I am sure I have read answers to all these questions, but I'm really confused and at the same time desperate to get back all my money to pay off all my debts that have accumalated through these unlawful penatly charges. Any help and advice greately appreciated. Cooz1968

I have banked with Abbey for over 20yrs!!!! I got married in 1998 so admittedly my finances were a bit stretched and I had a few unpaid DD charges. Then my husband's family persuaded us to let one of his brothers rent my husband's flat. However, this brother is a manic depressive and unable to hold a job down, so he started a claim for housing benefit, this took 3 months to come through (meanwhile, we still had to pay for 2 mortgages!!!). The bank charges just started snowballing and it got to the point where my parents had to come round with some cash just so we could buy some food. My husband's family didn't want to know, needless to say we have little contact with them these days. I want to reclaim my bank charges, but I know I can only claim for the last 6 years. However, the bank charges we have had in the last 6 years are a result of having been charged over £3,000 from 1998 - 2000. Is there anyway we can get this money back?