Thanks Jo, I'm going to send out the preliminary letter this evening. Just one other question (sorry to sound like a moron...) - who do i send it to? My branch manager or is their a more centralised person who i should be sending it to? Thanks all, crasherkid22.

Hello all, Right then. Today I got a call from someone called 'Dave' who works for HSBC (which btw, I believe stands for Hideously Strong Bank Charges). He told me that I was over my overdraft limit. I told him that I knew that, and that i had been to see someone on Monday about it. He then informed me that I've been charged another £25, as well as the other £100 coming out on the 19th October. The extra £25 is being charged because a direct debit bounced. I questioned 'Dave' about this, and I was told that it replaced the previous £100 charge. I was fairly happy about this as you can imagine. I then checked my internet banking, and saw that the £100 charge was still there. I phoned up HSBC, and they said they knew nothing about the £100 being removed. So now I'm being charged £125. My question is this. I was going to send out the initial letter to complain, but can I claim back this new £25 charge as well as the £100 arrangement fee? I must admit, I'm fairly pleased that I haven't shown my true feelings in this message. I'm furious with this bunch of pi*s atists and I can't believe how they're screwing me. I explained to them that by taking money away from me in charges, I can't pay back my overdraft. I also explained that I can't afford to go to work next week, let alone eat (which is true) and their response was 'Why don't you take out a small loan with us?" W*nkers!!! They won't even give me an overdraft extension, so why are they offering me a loan???!!! Anyway, as ever, your help would be much appreciated. Thanks, crasherkid22.

Cheers Jo, that's helpful advice. I've already had a little look around, but being not particularly computer minded, can't seem to find the instructions as to ow to start a claim. Could you post me a link to follow, and I'll figure out what i have to do. Cheers, crasherkid22.

Right then, I have just visited a local branch of HSBC and they have given me some bull**** statement of "We are unable to refund any charges due to the investigation." or words to that effect. I was everything you suggested - calm, authorative, collected, but getting my point across. I can't believe that they are treating me like this. It's disgraceful. I like the way that they can charge me while the inquiry is going on, but I can't get this money back... Anyway, they suggested that i write a letter to the manager of their 'Service Quality Team'. Is this a good move, or is there another way of going about this? Thanks a lot for helping me thus far, it's been greatly appreciated. crasherkid22

I went into the branch on Saturday, but they said that no one could deal with me then. They asked me to come back on Monday, so i'll go tomorrow. I don't think they were trying to put me off, just there was no one around who could help me. I'll get a better idea tomorrow though, so i'll let you know how i get on then. Thanks for the interest, it's very much appreciated. Crasherkid22

Thanks for the response. I will go in tomorrow morning and speak to them about it. I'll keep the site posted if any progress is mad Crasherkid22.

Hi there, I have never posted on this site before, but now need some advice. I've got a graduate bank account with HSBC. I've been wih the company for around 15 years (I'm 24) since they were Midland Bank. I've recently finished a post-grad course, and am now in work. My rent came out last week and I went over my overdraft limit of £1500. HSBC allowed this, but I've now been charged a £100 'Arrangement Fee'. Although I'm working, I don't have a lot of money. To be honest, I can't really afford this fee and I'm very pi*sed off that HSBC has treated me like this. They charge me interest on my overdraft which I have no problems with, but this arrangement fee is ridiculous. I'm thinking of calling them this evening. Is this a wise move? Thanks a lot.