Hi HSBCrusher! I'd be interested to hear what your next plan of action is? I've been taken to the cleaners by A&L - they've just had me for about £300 in charges and they've closed the account. I'm not impressed! Does it look like we'll have to wait on the High Court ruling? Does anyone know?!

Hi Deller1, thanks for your post. It's my understanding that most claims don't get to that stage with Natwest now, as they settle early? In those instances, where you hadn't claimed for s69, you'd presumably be obliged to accept their offer?

Ah, OK - so presumably I'd need to change my prelim letter to mention the contractual interest - can anyone suggest a relevant paragraph to put in? Based on posts in other threads, how does: "I calculate that you have taken £1124.00, plus £640.58 which I am claiming at your unauthorised borrowing rate of 29.69% under the principle of mutuality and reciprocity, which applies to this account. Total £1764.58. I enclose a schedule of the charges which I am claiming with this letter. The total amount owed will increase each day as a result of the compound contractual interest rate at the advertised unauthorised borrowing rate." sound? Another stupid question would be, which spreadsheet file should I be attaching and using? I've just moved the charges into "Throughout claim with contractual interest". So would the game plan to counter their settlement offer of charges with charges plus (as a gesture of goodwill) 8% as per s 69 stat interest? Or has anyone gone the whole hog and recovered charges plus contractual interest?

Hi, Thanks hedgey - I'm still a little confused though - I've noticed a lot of threads where people are sending prelim letters with 8% or contractual interest, getting settlements back for just the charges then pushing forward for the interest. Is this not the best way forward? Although I'd like the money back, I wouldn't sniff at 8% interest, and certainly not some of the contractual rates being quoted. I know that in principle you can only claim s 69 interest if you start a claim in the small claims court, but people seem to be jumping the gun now!

Right, firstly apologies for slacking on the bank charges. I'm trying to claw back some free time from a very demanding timetable, so I'm now committed to claiming back my charges. I've totted up the bank charges from both of my NW accounts, and its come to (pre interest) £1124, which is a nice sum for this student. One thing I'm a little confused about is the recent change in attitude to claiming interest etc. The game's changed since I first looked into reclaiming. Should I now be writing my prelim letter with figures inclusive of s69 interest, or something else. Having re-read some of the discussions, I'm a little confused about the seemingly many different flavours of interest available. Is the plan to aim high and settle low, or are NW still only paying out charges without interest? Thanks to whoever reads this... I promise I'll get on the ball now!

Very interesting - I assume the procedure is largely the same? Am I still able to claim for the statutory interest?

Hi! Sorry, I've been out of touch - had a very busy January, but I received a big wad of paperwork from NatWest, so I'm tabulating the charges, and about to get ready to start on the long road. I'm hoping to clear off some work I'm doing first before I commit to it, as I don't want to find myself taking on too much at the moment! Update to be posted soon, but just looking at the charges history, it looks like it'll be a nice windfall for a mere student like me!

Grr...! Just seen even more charges put on at the end of December Going to be so sweet reclaiming those ones.... Is there anything I should do preparation-wise while I'm waiting for NW to churn out all of my statements, or should I just be sitting back and relaxing (or indeed actually doing some work!!) before the storm? I'll take a look at the next couple of stages, but I have a fair idea already what I have to do...

natweststaffmember - to be honest, I can't remember the particulars - it was a few years back. I seem to remember it was 3 times, but I'll obviously be able to check when NatWest send out my statements. I sent out my SAR letter today (recorded post, Borehamwood), so I've started on the long path! (Deep breath!)

Hi muggins73 - thanks for the warm welcome, and Happy 2007 too! I've already had a good look at the FAQs and some of the existing cases against NatWest, so I have a relatively good idea of what to expect!

Hi everyone! I've finally snapped, and started something I wish I'd done some time ago. I've been persistently stung by NatWest and now I want to take control. The highlight of my relationship with NatWest was when they inexplicably bounced the same cheque 3 days consecutively, charging me for the pleasure each time. I sadly sat back and took it, and so I'm really glad I came accross this site - time for some payback! I'm a student, and this is/was my student account, but I also have another current account that has accrued many charges too. I've written out the S.A.R - (Subject Access Request) letter ready to post tomorrow, but I thought I'd pop on and say hi to everyone and wish them all luck in their claims. I hope people will periodically check up on me - and though I'm certainly no expert, I hope that as I get experience of the process, I can go on to help other people later on. Cheers! David