Claim Back Your Bank Charges – CouponMamaUK

First things first, this is NOT one of those ‘have you been miss sold PPI’ posts! This IS about helping people on a low income claim back charges for returned direct debits and overdraft charges. Do your payments get returned unpaid as you don’t have enough money in your account? Then you end up with charges?

There is an Act of Parliament which over-rides banks taking charges from your account if you are in receipt of any of the following benefits.

• Income Support • Tax Credits • Child Benefit • Job seekers allowance • Incapacity benefit • Disability living allowance • Attendance Allowance • CSA payments

• Other DWP payments

There are ways to claim back those charges and here I will show you how.

Step 1

The first thing you need to do is request your past charges under the Data Protection Act . The bank can charge you £10 for this. Do this in writing and make yourself a copy to keep for your records. Don’t make the mistake of asking for past bank statements as they will charge you a lot more. Your bank has 40 days to respond to this. When your list of bank charges comes back, highlight all the ones that you think were unfair,

Step 2 

Now you need to write to your bank again, but this time asking for your money back. Be sure to sound firm but fair. Explain that you were/are under financial hardship.  Go on to say how the charges have impacted you and caused or worsened your financial situation. Mention that you will take the case to the Ombudsman if they refuse. I have heard lots of different stories from people who have got up to £700 back to people who were given £10 as a goodwill gesture.

Step 3 

You will get a letter saying they have received your request but it could take a few weeks to get a decision from them. If they agree to pay you back your charges then great! If they offer you an amount you’re not happy with then simply give them a ring and explain that you’re not happy and tell them the amount you are willing to accept as a fair reflection of your circumstances. This is kind of like a compromise so don’t sound greedy and ask for £2000 if they have offered you  £500.

Success Stories 

Halifax do it. I got over 500 quid back. I used their online complaints from. Done it on a Thursday and the money was back in my bank on Tuesday. – Chelsea 

I applied for mine. Just write how much you were charged & what you are claiming back. then give them a week & if not heard anything give them a call. Some advice from experience, stand your ground & don’t take no s**t. the lady on the phone to me put me on hold & when she came back she said yes they can refund but only £180 of it (I’d was owed £320 in overdraft charges) & said they can only give me that money if I took that & didn’t/can’t have the rest.

If I didn’t take it, they would take me to court & fight against paying back. because I was young & needed the money I stupidly took it. now.. I would have told her where to shove the money & taken it further then sued for more money due to trying to blackmail me. x – Carley

I emailed my bank halifax in August they refunded me £220 so deffo worth a go xx – Megan

Been refunded £35 for now as goodwill while they look at the rest. It’s looking good though xx -Robyn

I wrote an email and got all mine back. Also done it for my partner, he got £300 back and my mum got just over £700 back x – Jade

Let us know if you have any luck in the comments below.

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