Social security act

[nmitchell]

Hi in the past two months Natwest has taken a total of £265 from my account in charges! This all started because I was £2 under for a Direct debit, so then they charged me £38 for it bouncing, then charged me $30 for being over my over draft limit (which the charges took me over) then immediatley tried to take the DD again, again charging me £38 and so on and so on! The cheek of them , when I told them they MUST give me my income support - they did - £55 of it and then charged me £40 for allowing me to get it out!

 

All of this money has come out of my benefit, and as a single mum I was left with £150 for a month to pay rent, electricity and food for myself and my son! I ended up having to turn off the heating and sitting in the cold while it was snowing with my son under a duvet! I explained this to Natwest and they said no can do!

 

I have since approached a solicitor about the social security act 1993, who is now acting on my behalf! I have also set up another account to have my monies paid into!

 

So far I have had a letter back from natwest saying they think these charges are fair and reasonable and enclosed a leaflet detailing their charges. And yes I did tell I was in hardship!

 

My question is - has anyone actually managed to get anything out of banks for them disregarding the social security act?!!

 

I have only asked the bank to refund the charges taking me back to the overdraft limit - so then I can begin to pay it back. I think that i very fair! I am not asking them to refund the money they took from me - though really I should!

 

I did speak to soemone at natwest lending who said they could arrange a repayment plan on the amount of £1000 (I now owe £865) - the rest of the money is made up of a buffer amount to include any further possible charges!

 

To me that is a rip off - if they want to work a out a repayment plan surely it should be on the amount i owe not a higher amount!!!!!

 

Anyway I only want to repay the overdraft i currently have of £750!

 

Any thought people?

[stonedecroze]

It is my understanding that as yet there has not been a case to set a precedent re banks taking charges from benenifits, although some judges are sympathetic. It is not advisable to to take this course if you are trying to reclaim your charges

[steven4064]

n

 

You might want to look at this thread http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/benefits-tax-credits-minimum/125278-social-security-administration-act.html