bank charges-too late 2 get??

Question

i just wondered im due my bank statements for the last 6 six years and im reckon im owed a lot. is it too late to make a claim?? cos it might be another month before i get the ball rollin

Answer 1

No its not too late, you can still get your charges back.

Use the steps below, and the template letters on my site and you should have a good chance of getting a full refund of your charges. My site tells you everything you need to know, and sets you up to be in the best possible position with your claim.

The full process and timescales for claiming back your charges is:

1) Write to the bank and ask them for a copy of your charges for the last 6 years, or alternatively a set of statements for the same period. You do this by making a "Subject Access Request" under the Data Protection Act, enclosing a cheque for £10 made out to the bank. This by passes the banks normal charges for statements which is normal a large amount for 6 years worth. The bank have 40 days to send you the data.

2) Write to the bank asking them to refund your charges, giving them 14 days to reply, attaching a "Schedule of Charges" (a list of the charges you are claiming for).

3) Send the bank a "Letter before Action" giving the bank one last chance to refund your charges before you take court action. They have 14 days to reply.

4) File a claim online using the Money Claim Online web site run by the UK Court Service. The claim is served on the bank 5 days after its submitted. The bank has 14 days to acknowledge the claim. If they don't you can request a "Judgement by Default" and you win the case, and get your charges, statutory interest at 8%, and your court fees.

If they do acknowledge the claim, they then have 14 days to submit a defence (making 28 days in total from the date the claim was served). If they don't then you can again request a "Judgement by Default", and get back your charges, interest and court fees as above.

If they file a defence, then you and the bank get an "Allocation Questionnaire" to fill in. Some judges dismiss the case at this stage, as the bank can't win, so again you win. If this doesn't happen, a hearing date is allocated. The bank will most likely either back out before the hearing, or won't turn up in court. Again you win the case and get your charges, interest and fees.

Follow the correct procedures and you stand a good chance of getting your charges back! Its important to send all letters to the bank and courts by recorded delivery, so you can prove they were received, and more importantly when they were received (which you can find from the tracking section of the Royal Mail web site).

Also make sure that you send all letters to the banks head office, and not your local branch. Don't phone the bank either, as this can delay things and you have no proof of whats been said.

Have a look at my site below which has detailed step by step guides to the whole process of claiming your charges back. It also has template letters you can put your details into and send to the bank, and forums for one to one advice. We also have a guide to filing your claim in court online, which is unique to the site.

The site is free to use!

Answer 2

It's never too late to claim money that is at the end of the day was yours to begin with. I claimed all my bank charges fr the last years and got over 800 pounds back. My wife did the same and got over 1000 back.

What i would say is get your statements for the last 6 years and sit down with a highlighter and highlight every charge they charged you in the last 6 years. then add that all up and you will be shocked to see how much it comes to, and you will agree with me that it's your money they took off you so there's no reason to be guilty at all.

By law they have to reply within 14 working days and they will get back to you on the 14th day like my bank did with either yes or no. 99% it will be a yes, if it's a no they will send their own offer in. If it's less than what you want then turn it down and tell them you will take it to court. they will have to come back and give you your money or take it to court and you will get more than what you originally were asking for (mainly interest)

By the way you are entitled to add interest on top of the charges they charged you for the last 6 years as well.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

With anything there is always a certain amount of time to start claiming anything back.
Recently two cases have gone into the bank favour therefore making it harder to claim back your rightful money without good cause.
Like everything in the UK, you got to give brown envelopes to the those in charge to make sure you get what you want...

Answer 4

If you read the fine print on the statements, I think you'll find that you have 30 days to point out any discrepancies. However, this is merely a matter of bank policy; law is another matter. Check with an attorney in your area.

Answer 5

Not all bank charges are considered unreasonable. The rule is that they must not be excessive compared to the cost to the bank. It's mostly penalty charges you can claim back. The sooner you do it, the better your chances.

Answer 6

Ive just successfully been promised £350 back from my bank for charges over the last six years- do it and do it now.

Answer 7

Hi. go to www.moneyclaim.com they have a forum which
tells you what to write in your letter etc.There is also on line direct advice.You type in they answer you.Good Luck
PS/Did you hear about LLoyds they went to court & won the person never got there charges back.It is still worth checking with the address I have give you.It,s the bloke off the tele who helps people with finacial problems & it is free.

Answer 8

go to www.moneysavingexpert.com there is everything you need to know about claiming back bank charges including a template letter. Good luck!

Answer 9

Dont even worry mate your get it my friend is in the same boat and he been talking to many others Iknow the banks won one case but they lost thousands ! and they only won that one because the person had special circumstances. chill out your get your money and I bet you it dont even go to court they will pay you!!!!! count on it!