Is this legal?

[Regulus]

Just a quick question really, we had a statement form Nationwide today and they've hit us with 2 fees 'misuse of cheque guarentee card' for twice going over by around 50p. Each charge was £21.50.

 

Is that legal? Last I heard was that banks were told they couldn't charge anymore than £12 per charge on one statement and could only charge once per statement for the same type of charge. In other words they should only have charged me £12 once, not £21.50 twice.

 

Am I right or have I just imagined this?

 

Incidently, we've had 1 charge removed, but they have refused to remove the other. I wouldn't mind too much except with my being unemployed even the one charge of £21.50 is too much. Plus it was only 53p! I thought banks had a margin for error of a couple of pounds for things like this?

 

I would appreciate any assistance anyone can provide. Thanks for your time

[tommy271007]

I would advise you to make a formal complaint to Nationwide Member Service. In my experience dealing with the bank charges, it used to be dealt with at the branch but now all decisions will have to be referred to the Member Service.

 

Remember they have computer systems running our accounts, and once the account goes overdrawn, then it automatically add charges.

 

Hope this helps?

[sea-sidelady]

It sounds like these are you first charges. If so you can try calling the bank, as most of the time they will refund first time ones as a gesture of goodwill.

It is always worth a try first.

[BankFodder]

there is no rule as far as I know about the number of charges that may or may not be placed on a single statement.

 

However these charges are unlawful and certainly it will be worth trying to talk to them to ask for them back but if they are resolute then begin the claim process and start to get them back through a formal complaint process -- best of all through the County Court