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Deykari

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I need to vent. I've already ****ed off everybody in my office by telling them how much I hate my bank.

Two months ago I went £3.00 over my account balance. My bank has a charging system whereby they charge you £15 for exceeding your account balance, plus £12 per day you are over. I called the bank and told them I was £3.00 over my balance, and asked if they could waive the fee because it’s first time it’s ever happened, I have been a loyal customer with them since being a child, and I have never had any problem paying off loans/credit cards before. They told me no.

Having no money at the time, I couldn’t just deposit £3.00 into my account to settle it. Instead, ten days later, when I got paid, I got charged just short of £150 for going over by £3.00. After bills, living costs and the like were subtracted, this £150 charge sent me back over my account balance – so I got charged another £150 for the last month. Same thing happened – I’m stuck in a perpetual cycle of losing £150 a month just because I went £3.00 over my bank, and the bank won’t actually do anything about it (obviously).

With the one that will come out this month, that’s £450 down the pan so far. Now, I understand that it is my fault for going over my account balance, however a £150 charge, never mind the £450 charge (with more to come) is completely unjustifiable.

People, hide your guns.

Dey

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Dey,

Go to the bank and demand to speak to the branch manager. Politely explain your situation and tell him unless the both of you can come to a reasonable solution, you will be taking your business, along with your direct deposit, to another financial institution.

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Your bank should allow you to close/freeze your account.

My move would be to close my account or freeze it, and inform them when you do so that you will move elsewhere since they obviously dont care about your long time relationship and are just sticking it to you.

If they dont care, then...you should find another bank.

If they do care, they will waive fees and do what they can to ensure you stay with them as a customer.

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Your bank should allow you to close/freeze your account.

My move would be to close my account or freeze it, and inform them when you do so that you will move elsewhere since they obviously dont care about your long time relationship and are just sticking it to you.

If they dont care, then...you should find another bank.

If they do care, they will waive fees and do what they can to ensure you stay with them as a customer.

If I'm not wrong (I'm not entirely sure and I will look into this) they CAN charge these fees as part of the legal agreement when I opened the account. They wouldn't let me freeze/close the account without paying off the charge would they?

Dey

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If I'm not wrong (I'm not entirely sure and I will look into this) they CAN charge these fees as part of the legal agreement when I opened the account. They wouldn't let me freeze/close the account without paying off the charge would they?

Dey

At least in the states you cant be held acocuntable on collection for whats called "Policy Driven" charges. Charges assesed via a policy that has caused you more debt.

In this case you have been put in a loop due to their charges, they should allow you to close your account at ANYTIME. You will still owe the negative balance (though that could be disputed).

Like I said, I would go into the bank. Ask for a manager, tell them how long you have been banking...then tell thm you are closing the account and when he/she asks why inform them of their policy and how its taking a core sample of your ***.

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Dey, when you called was it to a corporate headquarters? You might try calling or going into the bank office where you opened the account if you haven't yet. Fees like that are a good portion of a bank's profits and office managers are usually responsible for the net profit their office makes. Waiving your fees is going to affect that office's bottom dollar even if it is just hundreds out of hundreds of thousands.

Maybe a little insight will help you talk to them.

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When I called, it was with head office. I made an appointment with the branch I opened the account in, just got back from it. The manager sat down with me, told me I need to manage my finances better, and gave me a leaflet on declaring bankruptcy if I have problem managing my 'debts'. She said her hands are tied and that she can't waive the fees because of a court case that's happening currently over in the UK between a customer and the bank (customer suing the bank for unfair charges, funnily enough) and UK banks aren't allowed to waive or refund charges until this case is settled.

That's fair enough in that respect, still... bankruptcy? I threw it back in her face. Declaring bankruptcy because I went £3.00 over my account balance?! Absolutely ridiculous.

Dey

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Guest Valganti

Contact the guy in the lawsuit and tell him for 10% you'll testify. Take the 10% into the bank, ask for the bank manager, and tell him how you got the money. Then instead of paying, close your account and take your business elsewhere. Look for a desparate bank who is offering incentives to people who will open an account with them. Some give upwards to 100(insert currancy here). Or, if you don't feel like upsetting anyone. Look for an incentive based bank as I mentioned. Deposit a single pay cheque with them, take the incentive and catch up on your loss.

Furthermore, don't you have a friend, anyone? Family? 3 euro is hardly anything at all. Hell, you are obviously making the 150 euro payments, leaving yourself short 3 euro to take another 150 hit. You don't have 3 extra euro, but you had 150 extra within your budget? Hell, for 100 euro I'll lend you the 3. Saves you fifty and I get one hell of a deal.

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Guest Valganti

Furthermore, go to a payday loan center. Get a small advance, cover the overdraft, and move on.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007/aug/18/moneysupplement.currentaccounts

After reading this, and some other articles, I am not sure that I pity your situation. A proper budget, with a careful eye, you shouldn't end up overdrawn. Meanwhile you save roughly 75 euros a year by banking in Britain. I can see the bind you're in, but I also think that is the price to pay for free banking. I pay 11 dollars a month just for the bank to tell me I have no money when I try to spend it.

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Well of course, preventative measures would have prevented the problem :eek:

My wife and I just keep at LEAST 3 months pay in savings with overdraft protection that moves money automatically if we overdraft one of our checking accounts...course...if I ever overdrafted my checking account she would kill me. :D:cool:

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Hey, I'm completely aware it's my own fault I'm being charged.

My point was that I feel £150 (resulting in £450) for going £3.00 is over is completely unjustified, when banks in the UK can only lawfully charge the administration and delivery fees for the letter they send. I can't claim that money back either, due to the block placed upon claims currently whilst a current court case is settled.

Dey

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