Thanks for the reply. By parachute account do you mean a different account at a new bank? If so I have done that. I've still been making token payments into the account though, albeit very small ones. How would claiming them back work though? Would I pay off the original overdraft first or would they refund the charges (if they would) then I pay the overdraft?

Hi all, Firstly what a great forum! Secondly.... HSBC, for nearly three years have been adding hundreds of pounds a month on two accounts for overdraft charges. I've been paying a small amount into these accounts for goodwill, but they're charging £3 a day plus an extra fee per month. I was about £800 overdrawn on one account and now the balance is around £6000. I've stopped opening the HSBC statements. If they would take off the charges I could pay the original debt now anyway...but is there any chance of them doing this? They have offered me an extra loan of around £10000 which would cover everything, but surely then I've commited myself to paying these extortionate charges. Anything I can do? Thanks