Open another bank account and have benefits paid into that. It is your choice.

Well done friend!

Where does the term 'penalty charge' come from? Are they meant as a punishment meted out to those who, for whatever reason, do not keep their accounts in order? I thought the banks argument was that these charges cover administration costs'. Why, then, penalty?

I will look up my A&L charges for you. Should make good reading for a bank worker!

Unbelievable! I've been reading some of your experiences. I thought I was the only one struggling to furnish the banks with record profits! I thought the banks were charging legally according to published terms and that I was guilty of poverty and the inevitable fiscal mismanagement which comes with poverty! I thought it was all my fault! Anyway, I am going to try and get around this site this week and try my hand at recovering some, if not all, of the thousands of pounds in bank charges I have had to fork out since I became disabled. Thankyou. This site has given me hope - hope for a little self-respect and maybe some money for heating oil!