This topic was closed on 09 March 2019. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

This topic was closed on 09 March 2019. If you have a problem which is similar to the issues raised in this topic, then please start a new thread and you will get help and support there. If you would like to post up some information which is relevant to this particular topic then please flag the issue up to the site team and the thread will be reopened. - Consumer Action Group

lol - I'll definitely complete one before starting the next. I wonder if you win your first claim if they'll give you the next one more easily. Time will tell (I hope!)

I can't cancel my direct debits and ask for new mandates for a new account as they're all paid with my visa debit card details not my bank account details so I'll need a new debit card before I can change them. I think the only way I'll get a new account with a debit card that I can use this way will be to transfer everything to a new current account with another bank (bearing in mind that I'm on benefits and other banks won't exactly be fighting to give me an account). I don't suppose I can do this till I have a credit balance - can you transfer with an overdaft? I've managed to sell something and get the money in before the charges come off but just got another 2 letters with two more charges totalling £88 for payments of £8.40 and £12.60 Thanks for all your support. It really makes a difference.

I'm still learning the ropes but intend to do the same as you fruitycar,I'm in Scotland with Bank of Scotland too. Well done on having the courage to start your action - I'll be following your posts with great interest. Good luck to you

Thanks Lueeze I do have all my statements for my first £750 small claim though. I'm going to have to do 2 or possibly 3 separate claims due to the Scottish small claims £750 limit. I thought I could maybe start action on my first claim, then follow with second (if first is successful!) once I have all of my other statements.

I've spent a couple of days going over the FAQs,templates etc but have a couple of questions and intend to learn as much as possible before acting to get my charges refunded. I have my statements for the last 6 months and another one due next week. The charges for this period alone will take me to almost the £750 small claims limit. So my question is can I send the first letter asking for a refund at the same time as a dpa request for the period prior to October last year or should I be patient,put in the dpa,wait up to 40 days and start with the furthest back charges? I reckon I've only had charges for the last 2-3 years as didn't use the account much before then. Also are the template letters in the library only for use in England as I'm not sure whether to use them or the Govanlc ones? I'm also worried about the bank closing my account - what happens to your benefit payments,direct debits etc if they do this? I'm going to open a new account with another bank before sending my first letter but I don't think I'll be able to get more than a basic account while all my benefits are going to the Bank of Scotland account. I'm tempted to transfer my account to another bank before I do anything, for peace of mind. Finally, has anyone had success with having their charges etc refunded in Scotland - I'd love to know. Sorry for so many questions. I know I still have a lot of homework to do before I take action.

The reason for my last 6 months charges being so high is that we were moved to a disabled adapted flat for my son last October and this incurred so many extra expenses that I couldn't manage to pay everything out of my benefits. I was not keen to tell the bank what could be looked on as a "sob story" but did tell them as I suppose I thought circumstances might make a difference. It made no difference at all. I am waiting till I have a little money spare to open a new account with a different bank and then I'm going for every penny they've taken. I haven't been able to afford carpets for our new flat and all my charges would allow me to clear my OD and carpet the whole house with change.

I have a £700 overdraft on my current account. Last week 2 cheques went through leaving me a balance of £-643.01. I got a bank letter saying they would be charging me £60 for paying these cheques as they took me over my OD limit. Assumed it was an error,phoned them and was told by two (asked for manager after getting nowhere with first person) that they were charging me for the two cheques because I had pending visa debit payments which would take me over my limit. These debits did not come off my account that day so my balance was still £-643.01 till the following day. Still shows this on my online statement. I told them that they should not be charging me for pending debits as they were not through and they had no way of knowing if I would be paying money into my a/c before the debits came through. I then got another 2 letters charging me another £60 for two transactions which did take me over my limit the next day. I spent an hour on the phone to this manager and she did agree to cancel one of the four charges but I'm still not at all happy that they are charging me for the two cheques. I am a single mum and full time carer for my housebound, chronically ill child and my entire income is from benefits. The bank will be taking £90 of my money in the next few days. This is all of my Child benefit,all of my Carer's Allowance and part of my Income Support as well. Not only that but I have monthly standing orders and direct debits due to come out on Monday which my benefit covers but if the bank take their £90 before these go through I will end up being charged for each of them as well. I am seriously considering claiming back all my charges(£585 in the last 6 months alone) but this extra charging when I'm not over my limit is an even bigger blow. I would be grateful if anyone knows if they can legally apply charges as I've described?