Thanks again - what a fast response !! Since deciding to take action, I have suddenly realised that I have many more questions. Hmmmmmmm........time to slow down a wee bit and think before diving straight in. Also, in my haste, I posted to the Royal Bank of Scotland and Bank of Scotland thread (since my accounts are with the Halifax Bank of Scotland) - since I live in Scotland, should I perhaps have posted under the Scotland thread ? If so, how do I change my posts to that thread ? I am aware that Scots Law is very different to English law and would hate to take good advice at face value only to discover later that it only applies in England and Wales. Feeling slightly overwhelmed already. banksRbad

Thanks natweststaffmember, I guess my next step will be to open a "parachute" account - just in case ! Also, I have two seperate accounts with HBOS - one in my name and one in joint names with my partner. Do I have to seperate the claims so that I make one claim per account ? banksRbad

Hi Folks, Having "introduced" myself in the appropriate place on this web site, I have now created this thread in order to post the (potentially convoluted) steps gone through in an effort to get back the money taken from my account in unlawful charges. Ok - Here I am in the pre-step-1 phase...........collating all the information from my statements to establish what charges I should claim back. I'm assuming that ALL charges levied on my for going overdrawn or failure of the bank to pay a direct debit are unlawful - is that correct ? I will post again when I have completed my data collection. banksRbad

Hi to all, I have been moaning about banks and their treatment of their customers for years now, but have so far failed to actually try to do anything about it - mainly because I had no idea where to begin. I was spurred into action by two things - firstly, I watched the Money Program on the subject of illegal bank charges and then, some time later, by stumbling into this group. Fantastic !! This is what the internet is all about - thanks to everyone who contributes. After spending a couple of days reading through all the posts, I shall be submitting my claims to my bank - the b**gers have skinned me for years with £39 charges for minimal unplanned overdrafts, etc and I look forward immensely to taking back some of MY money from them. I will post details of my progress for all to follow and, hopefully, can rely on your assistance/advice if things get a bit complicated for me banksRbad