Charges that appear immediately

[Guest]

I've received feedback from some NatWest customers that indicates in some cases NatWest are debiting their charges IMMEDIATELY, on the day they say the breach of contract occurred, rather than give a date in the future at which these charges will be debited.

 

If this is widespread, it may indicate a change of policy by the NatWest aimed at clawing the money from penalty charges in as quickly as possible.

 

If anyone has noticed this on their account, please detail it in this thread so that we can gauge if it is a new tactic employed by the NatWest that might harm account holders who are already struggling to keep in the black.

[mtvessel]

I've checked my bank statements and they have been doing this at least as far back as 2001. In 2001 "Paid referral fee" £25 for items debited the previous day. In 2003, 11 direct debits unpaid over two days, £330 charges removed on the same two days. Isn't this in breach of the banking code- not giving a warning of charges?

[mtvessel]

I've checked my bank statements and they have been doing this at least as far back as 2001. In 2001 "Paid referral fee" £25 for items debited the previous day. In 2003, 11 direct debits unpaid over two days, £330 charges removed on the same two days. Isn't this in breach of the banking code- not giving a warning of charges?

[cakey]

natwest have always done this to me too, immediatly charging me

[cakey]

natwest have always done this to me too, immediatly charging me

[Vampyra]

Same here as you know

[Vampyra]

Same here as you know

[cheddar]

Done it to me for years, usually for unpaid DD's and Card Misuse charge where they let me use my card even though I'm o/d already and have no o/d facility!

[axelfm]

Natwest charge immediately on my business and personal accounts.

 

We've had the scenario of transferring money from 1 account to another online, to discover that although the cash shows up in the account it can't be used to pay bills BUT can be withdrawn at a cash machine immediately, to then have cheques and direct debits returned, then to be charged immediatley, for the bulk of the transfered money to be swallowed up by charges for the process to start all over again the following day. the confusing thing is is that the account shows that there's enough money in it to cover the outgoings it's just the cash can't be used for them!!?

 

I giggle everytime their "24/7" advert comes on the tv: I've learned the hard way that you have to conduct all transactions before 3pm for the following days business.

[clairus99]

I've received feedback from some NatWest customers that indicates in some cases NatWest are debiting their charges IMMEDIATELY, on the day they say the breach of contract occurred, rather than give a date in the future at which these charges will be debited.

 

I thought this was standard procedure! I didn't know they did it any other way!

[ebonytanny]

Like wise, I thought this was standard procedure as Natwest as always done that to me and even when i queried it, they told me the computer automatically charges you when there are insufficient funds and a transaction like a DD or SO or card use is going through.

[Blacksheep]

Both my husband and I have received 'Immediate Bank Charges' from Natwest. My husband was charged £38.00 for going £2.99 over his overdraft, resuting in him being over £40.00 over his overdraft, and of course that will attract intest charges.

I was charged £38.00 when my mobile phone provider requested my payment unexpectedly one month earlier than arranged. I had no opportunity to tell Natwest that I did not wish to pay Orange so I have ended up having to reclaim this money from Orange. You see Natwest are not interested in having a conversation with the customer, clawing in penalties is their game!

Blacksheep

[ceborame]

yes natwest charge me on the day also. examples include paid referral, card misuse, paying guaranteed cheques.

 

they also charge at the end of the month too, unarranged borrowing fee

 

ceborame

[CrispDust]

Yep NafWest always do this.

The ONLY positive thing NafWest do on a business account is early credit. My pay is due 14th of every month by BACs. If that falls on Sat or Sun, the money is always availbe from the Saturday, I don't have to wait until the Monday.

Apart from that the service is rubbish

[ceborame]

if natwest have changed the policy and are trying to claw in the money-asap, what can be done then. does the whole idea of being able to claim back charges etc change.

would it also be true that unless you sign an agreement accepting this they legally cannot just change the policy on your account.

you must sign a contract. there is no contract between the bank and you,except for the one you sign.

QUOTE:you must have an offer and aggreement.this forms the contract.

i certainly didn t agree to any of the changes like card misuse.

[bs0lth]

I have only just found this site and its opening my eyes the more I read the more I cant believe what Im reading. However, I have been charged on the day for breaches of DD's etc. I have complained on more than one occassion, especially when i talked to somebody from natwest telephone banking to make sure there was enough money in to pay a direct debit. I was told that if I transfered money before 12am the night before then the money was in my account and the direct debit would be paid. However, in reality this wasnt paid I was charged £38 and when i phone to ask why as I had transfered the money over before 12am I was told that the credit lending dept will look at the balance of my account before close of their day which is 6.30pm and if the money is not in the account before that time then the DD will be unpaid and i will be charged £38.

 

I did get one refunded as they "listened" to the tape of the conversation I had with the advisor and said as a good will gesture they would refund the charges and in future dont do it again...

 

Its all a con,

[Seminole]

I have only just found this site and its opening my eyes the more I read the more I cant believe what Im reading. However, I have been charged on the day for breaches of DD's etc. I have complained on more than one occassion, especially when i talked to somebody from natwest telephone banking to make sure there was enough money in to pay a direct debit. I was told that if I transfered money before 12am the night before then the money was in my account and the direct debit would be paid. However, in reality this wasnt paid I was charged £38 and when i phone to ask why as I had transfered the money over before 12am I was told that the credit lending dept will look at the balance of my account before close of their day which is 6.30pm and if the money is not in the account before that time then the DD will be unpaid and i will be charged £38.

 

I did get one refunded as they "listened" to the tape of the conversation I had with the advisor and said as a good will gesture they would refund the charges and in future dont do it again...

 

Its all a con,

 

Welcome. Please let us know if you decide to pursue Nat West for your money back.

[davidg_richmond]

Hi all, first post, long time Natwest customer!!

 

They have always charged me straight away and the most galling thing is knowing on a Friday night that things are gonna bounce, putting cash in at the branch on a Saturday, only to have them bounce the cheque/DD on the Monday because 'cash isn't verified until the next working day'. I though the cashier verified it when they took the cash from my hand and put it into a till and gave me a receipt??!!

 

Once a cheque bounced on a Monday. Fine, £35 charge, I'll ring them and get it back. But then on Friday they try to represent the cheque, and it's gonna bounce because there's no way I can get to a bank during the week and I didn't even know it would be represented as the cheque had been returned to the payee. So I call them and they say they will try to stop the cheque ('ten pound charge thankyou') and 'it will probably bounce but then if you call we will refund this charge'. It did bounce, and they under-refunded me later which is another story.

 

They should give notice like most others. They are quick enough to charge ridiculous fees instantly but then take a couple of days (Saturday to Monday night?!) to process cash they have in their hands.

[Spiceskull]

Whilst the Banking Code is voluntary, and therefore not enforcable, the following is an extract:

Paragraph 5.5 states "Before we take interest or charges for standard account services from your current or savings account, we will give you at least 14 days notice of how much we will take

and

Paragraph 5.4 states"We will tell you the charge for any other service or product before we provide that service or product, and at any time you ask."

 

Clearly the charges applied will fall under one of these two statements. As mentioned, the code is voluntary (boo!) but signatories to the code are also signatories to the Banking Code Rules, which are governed by the BCSB (Banking Code Standards Board)

 

I am not certain if the BCSB has teeth, but it is certainly worth considering these 'instant' charges in light of a body and code that the bank is signatory to.

 

I expect to have more information on this at a later stage, as I intend to raise the Banking Code in my next dealings with my bank.

[BankFodder]

I have to say that I don't know why it wouldn't be enforceable. I think that it would be useful as a source of implied contractual terms.

I don't fancy a bank's chances if I relied upon the code in court.

 

I think that if it could be shown in court that the bank traded on the fact that they were signatories to the code and that in produced certain reasonable expectations in the consumer then it would be incorporated into the contract.

 

I see no real problem about this.

[Spiceskull]

That is why I am using it in my claim. There is a section on complaints (breaches) that I am focusing on.

 

In a nutshell it lists 7 factors that the BCSB take seriously when a complaint has been raised. I have broken down all 7 factors, and applied proof of my complaint to all.

 

I don't see how it can fail. However, if it does fail, then it will demonstrate the farce that is the code and the BCSB.

 

If you wish I will PM my argument to you - I want to keep it non-public until I have used it (don't want any snooping HSBC bods getting wind of it in advance)

[Spiceskull]

Sorry - I didn't address the question. I believe it is not enforceable by virtue of the fact that the code is voluntary. However, I have yet to test the authority of the BCSB.

[bs0lth]

Welcome. Please let us know if you decide to pursue Nat West for your money back.

 

Yes I am going to go forward, opened a parachute account, sent the first letter requesting all of the information and have had the first reply. but i will open my own thread, and i will be contributing to your law books if I get my money back!

 

thanks so much you have been an inspiration.

[nuddy]

This has been done for as far back as I can see - I keep 4 years of statements and thus can see the referral fee that was £25 is now £38. I had one of these on friday 9th Nov, in addition to £90 (made up of 3 charges) and even more from a different account.

 

Am taking action without a doubt!

 

Hope this helps

[Guest]

This topic was closed on 03/05/19.

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