This topic was closed on 11 March 2019. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

I've been "dipping" in and out of various threads here gathering the info I needed to get my claim underway. Now it's moving along I thought it was time to let y'all know what I've been up to. Since 2002 to Feb '06 I've had a total of £2471 in charges (DD refusals, referals, SO non payments and exceeding OD) - Funny how they can refuse to pay the £20 DD but will take £38 in charges then charge you for exceeding your OD limit! Anyway back to the story... After seeing this forum on the Amrtin Lewis web page I decided to do something about the charges. Sent my preliminary request in on 21st April and received a reply 16 days later (dated 3 days before the deadline) All hail the efficient Post Office! - you know the usual GrinF*** type letter - all smiles on the surface but basically an F.O. letter. Since the total amount I was claiming exceeded both the small claim and the summary cause limits (Scottish Law) I thought I was going to have to raise an Ordinary Action and engage a solicitor. It was at this point I almost bottled it! Thanks to "Woolfie" I decided to split the claim into several smaller ones that would fit nicely into the small claims "window". So where are we? This morning LBA was sent to the RBoS (thanks to http://www.bankcharges.info/). There's a brilliant pro forma in there for the LBA, and the clock is now ticking. I Emailed the Sheriff Clerks office and within 24 hours had all the required paperwork and explanatory booklets. RBoS - Bring it on!

Confidence duly boosted, thank Woolfie! LBA winging it's way to them, charges split nicely into 3 and a bit small claims. The countdown begins. I'll start a new thread to keep all posted on progress - thanks again

I was just about to send off my LBA to RBoS when I noticed some blurb in the Scotish courts web site about the amount limits on claims... £750 max for the small claims, £1500 max for the next stage up (summary cause) and since I'm trying to reclaim £2580 I contacted the Sheriff Clerks office and was told that this amount, in a single action (what they prefer to see in court) must be submitted as an "Ordinary Action" and would require the intervention of a lawyer... Now, despite my convictions, I have a wee voice in my head saying, " fees! you don't want to get a lawyer if there's a chance you'll lose and be stuck with the fees!" Anyone else raised an ordinary action? How'd it go? I know this is playing right into the banks hands - I might get scared off but there is this wee nagging feeling that the minute you walk into the lawyers office the clock is running and all of a sudden you're not doing this to reclaim illegal fees but to pay the lawyer! I'm getting twitchy and need some encouragement!

DNA, It looks like the RBS reply you received is their standard letter - I received an almost identical one on 21/4 but had the additional statement that " The OFT is currently in contact with us and 7 other major credit card companies to discuss the level of charges on credit cards. It is important to emphasise that these discussions are limited to credit cards only." In other words... "go away and stop bothering us about bank accounts - we have your money and we're keeping it!" Oh you think so! over the last 4 years I calculated over £2500 in charges on my account - this will not be allowed to slide!