Have you details on stopping excessive bank charges?

Question

My bank is charging £25 per item now that I am overdrawn regardless of size. What action do you advise

Answer 1

I the morning, call the bank and explain what happened. I had fees placed on 15 items one time because I miscalculated my balance. It was stupid on my part, but my bank understood and reversed all but 2 charges. If you talk to them about it, then they usually understand and try to help.

Answer 2

The best way to stop them is to stay in credit. That said you should take out an overdraft facility which will help you over times of extra spending without penalty. You have an agreement for an overdraft of say £500 and all you then pay is the interest on that amount and no charges for letters etc.
In this case write and tell them that although you agree that there should be some penalty for going overdrawn their charges are somewhat excessive. Should they not waive or reduce these charges now, you will certainly move to another bank when your affairs have been straightened out.
Best of luck and have a happy Christmas.

Answer 3

Close the account and switch banks. Balance your checkbook to avoid overdrawing again at the new bank. You can also use your credit card like you would a bank/ATM card. Write down all of your purchases and then at the end of the month when you get the credit card bill pay it off in full. This will allow you some float time at the bank and help you from becoming overdrawn.

Answer 4

You normally only get charged when you have an unauthorised overdraft. If you set up an overdraft facility, they'll charge you interest on the amount you've overdrawn, not per item.

Go in and discuss the fees with the bank, they'll often refund them. Then set up an authourised overdraft limit on your account if you think you need it.

Otherwise, next time, make sure to ring the bank and tell them you want a temporary overdraft, and tell them how long you want it for, and they'll normally facilitate you.

Answer 5

25 is not alot money, some banks charge up to 65. Stay in the postive and this wont be an issue. Its not the banks fault. "What do you mean I am overdrawn? But I still have checks in my check book."

Answer 6

there was a BBC programme about this last week, basically, if a bank makes a profit from letters it sends you, they are BREAKING THE LAW! they are not allowed to make profit, around £12 is considered reasonable for a letter , but more than that is excessive and illegal. you can claim back up to SIX YEARS worth of charges..they will try to bulls.hit you, but the law is on your side so you must stand your ground. go through all your old statements..some people on the programme got thousands back, they pay it rather than go to court,because that would set a legal precedent and get publicity. this is not me spouting. it is totally true.bbc.co.uk....type in bank robbery in the search engine, then about the 4th link down, -press office, the money programme....( sorry, cant paste links!)

Answer 7

£25.00 is now a norm by the banks.

Suggestions:
1)keep balance in credit ( be it only 1p).
2)get an agreed overdraft amount.
3)inform the bank if you think that you will exceed the overdraft limit.
4)Request charges be refunded if they charge you.( politely)
5)in case you dont want to do any of the above then find a bank with less than £25.00 charge

Answer 8

Write a letter to bank telling them why you think the charges are unfair,as long as you don't overdraw on a regular basis you should get the charges cancelled or at least halved.If this fails ring bank tell them your considering changing banks,because your not happy with the £25 charge.(always ask to speak to manager though).

Answer 9

Have a look at this site, it is possible to claim up to 6 years worth of bank charges back if you go about it in the right way, worked for a friend of mine. Good luck and merry Xmas.

Answer 10

Don't quote me on this, but i was led to believe that all bank charges are illegal, there was a programme about it a few weeks ago, and some colleagues of mine and myself have gone to our banks and complained and all have been given refunds, unless of course it is a deliberate fault on your part and not just an accident/error etc.
We were charged 75.00 for going 0.47p over but this was inclusive of overdraught costs, my wife went to the bank as we genuinely did not know what this was for and they refunded the lot, they called it 'a token of good will'