Thanks both of you. It’s a calculation my mum made, so will get the official statements from the bank. The charges started in August 2002 so we are just in time to demand 6 years back. Phew. Let's hope the case for charges goes in the consumers favour. And thanks re advice to DCA, I was advised to make an informal arrangement but it seems better to get all activity frozen while in dispute? Thanks again, I feel better prepared to help my mum properly now.

Hey, thanks for the reply. It was a standard current account overdraft, and it was being repaid under an arrangement with the bank up to a couple of months ago. I believe there were long periods in the intervening years where no payments were made.

Any advice gratefully received, NatWest sold my pensioner mothers' debt to a DCA. It was originally for £1000 back in 2002, now the balance is £400 but the charges alone on the account amounted to £600 - so the debt they are chasing are their own charges. The DCA is now threatening court proceedings starting Monday. Is there anything we can do? She is a pensioner and can't afford to pay and it does not seem fair. I'm pretty sure she has defaults in her name as a result now. Is there any way we can hold they payments while contesting the charges? Or through an informal arrangement? Thanks for any response Concerned daughter