Locutus, I think you are 100% right that the vast majority of these cases are caused by the snowball effect. Alll it takes is one payment to carry you over that limit and thereafter it is a constant struggle. I don't think it is fair that banks are able to re-penalise somebody for going over the limit. Many people struggle to balance the books, and even those that are managing can often struggle because of an unforseen incident. The fact that banks can charge so much, then charge again if you are unable to bring you balance up to date to cover the charges is very harsh. The banks have contradicted themselves regarding the purpose of the charges and while the fact that that charges are not 'penalties' I do hope that the OFT get the chance to assess the fairness of them. It is plain to see for a large number of people that the 'punishment' is not reflective of the 'crime.

This may have already been discussed and I apologise if it has....but how does the recent increase in the governments shareholding affect the claims against Lloyds TSB (and arguable RBS)? I know that the whole mess cannot be resolved in the flick of a switch but should the process potentially be moving along a little quicker. Government department (the OFT) is claiming that the charges are unfair.....a bank primarily owned (60%) by the government (LLoyds TSB) cannot have much of a leg to stand on. There are some seriously conflicting interests but will it help things move along?

Just really trying to catch up on things here but if the automatic stay on court rulings now runs to 26th January 2009, can we expect a decision on the Test Case Appeal to filed before then or are we looking at another probable extension?

Presumably I should send the Letter Before Action to the Andover address?

I finally got round to sending my 'Preliminary approach for repayment' out (after moving house and changing jobs....no rest for the wicked). And to my horror....Lloyds Tsb actually replied! However the letter I received simply said that my complaint was been forwarded on to their complaints department in Andover and that they would get back to me within 30 days. My question is.....in the letter I sent I wanted a positive response in 14 days (positive been me getting my money back!). Now they have responded....just not positively! Lol. Should I go ahead with the Letter Before Action after the 14 days are up, or wait to hear back from the people in Andover?

I have been reading through CAG for quite a while now and thought I would have a quick look through my Lloyds TSB account and see how much I have been charged. As this (at the time) felt more like a fact-finding / satisfying of curiosity type mission I opted to start looking at online records (March 02 onwards) and was really quite astonished to find that I had managed to rack up £1608 in charges. I am now a little uncertain as to what to do next. I have written and re-written my first letter (based on the fantastic template offered here) and deleted it everytime. I think that not knowing the outcome is really making me feel nervous. Looking at the overall settlements made in 2007 Lloyds TSB only paid out £36m (almost half that of the next lowest payout) which to me seems to suggest that either a) Lloyds TSB customers are not claiming b) Lloyds TSB are dragging their heels and people are giving up or c) Lloyds TSB are winning cases. The reasons for the amount of fees I have paid in total varies, and to a degree are my responsibilty (returned cheques / dd / so, bad financial management / planning)...but I still cannot help be feel aggrieved that I can be charged £30 for exceeding my overdraft. It is blindingly obvious that Lloyds TSB are making money from this which to me is totally unreasonable. I just don't really know how to approach the whole thing. I can't help but feel that in a court situation I would hold my hands up and say 'Yes I made mistakes and poor financial management caused the charges'.....at which point the judge would rule in favour of Lloyds TSB as I had admitted responsibility. I just don't know how 'ruthless' I need to be. I assume that trying to settle thing amicably with Lloyds TSB is out of the question? I am certainly not in this to make a quick buck....just think I deserve what is rightfully mine!