This topic was closed on 03/05/19. 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 their. 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 03/05/19. 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 their. 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

I didn't write to A&L - I find the best approach with these excessive charges (with all banks) is to get your complaint registered by phone initially, because sometimes they will listen to a reasoned argument (although you may need to be very forceful, bordering on the stroppy)... but it depends very much on the particular circumstances (the stronger your 'moral' case, the better). Otherwise they may try to just hide behind (often unfair) Ts & Cs. I usually only resort to writing (due to time & cost) if they consistently refuse to refund, or if they insist I must write anyway. In your case, if they don't cave-in to your letter, the next best option may be to threaten to escalate the dispute by referral to the FSA (sometimes works). Failing that use the 'not appropriate charge for the costs involved' route, but that may be a lengthy process.

I didn't write to A&L - I find the best approach with these excessive charges (with all banks) is to get your complaint registered by phone initially, because sometimes they will listen to a reasoned argument (although you may need to be very forceful, bordering on the stroppy)... but it depends very much on the particular circumstances (the stronger your 'moral' case, the better). Otherwise they may try to just hide behind (often unfair) Ts & Cs. I usually only resort to writing (due to time & cost) if they consistently refuse to refund, or if they insist I must write anyway. In your case, if they don't cave-in to your letter, the next best option may be to threaten to escalate the dispute by referral to the FSA (sometimes works). Failing that use the 'not appropriate charge for the costs involved' route, but that may be a lengthy process.

Was interested to hear in today's media that these charges are now becoming so outrageous that industry commentators are flagging it up. Seems the banks are all trying to get us to pay these ridiculous charges because they can't make a profit lending money on mortgages - apparently the interest rates are being made more competitive and they want to recoup their profits from the exit fees.... Seems the blackguards have decided to start hiking these fees by around 50-100% over the past couple of years (funny how they ALL seem to be doing it at around the SAME time...hmmmm) - well I'm sure it's a competitive market (NOT) in this area. I think the FSA might have a look into them for collusion on that one. Of course, the most disgusting aspect is, that I, like a sensible soul (), took out a repayment mortgag with A&L ( ) when they happened to still be a Building Soc in 1986...and of course had to pay the dreaded Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee (MIG) because it was over 75% of equity, so Eagle Star robbed me of my hard-earned back then for that (OK, I knew about that.) But now, the friendly so&sos think they're going to charge me £295 :twisted: for the privilege of redeeming my mortgage - AN ASTRONOMICAL FEE THAT I NEVER SIGNED UP TO AS PART OF MY CONTRACT, and which certainly does not reflect the costs involved (possible case for court action on excessive charging?) . So :idea: I am going to pay the mortgage down to 1p and see how they like that.

Internet still shows overdrawn charge pending on my account. Impenetrable telephone banking service (security bypassed again), A&L confirmed the 2nd charge is removed, but apparently system can't show that until due date is passed.

Yeah, consistent with what I heard i.e. it was going to be stopped towards the end of last year, and then there was some media comment very recently (within the last month) that electronic transfers would not now be made forcibly instant until 2007! What is even more interesting is the number of financial institutions who claim to have heard nothing about the upcoming outlawing of this anachronistic practice. It is a disgrace that the banks can continue to hide behind a clearing system which was designed for cheques being repatriated to their bank of origin and which was never designed to apply to electronic funds transfers (INCLUDING BACS), never mind internet transfers between accounts, AT THE SAME BANK!!! In my experience, the best thing is to hammer them verbally when the charges first appear - and do not let up until they agree to refund - they usually cave in pretty quickly without the need for litigation.

WATCH THIS LOT LIKE A HAWK. In Jan 2006, A&L wrote to me to say they decided to charge me £25 for bouncing a £250 standing order, despite the funds having been transferred in from my A&L internet online saver account the same day. I phoned them to get that charge reversed (also noting that their contact phone number on their own letterhead was wrong). They agreed to do so. Logging on today (Feb 13th), I get another message saying they are charging me AGAIN £25 for the same event! In order to get THAT refunded, I have just tried to phone them again and found their automated menu has changed, so I couldn't get through. I called the previous wrong number on the last letterhead and they advised me to 'press option 1 and not enter an A/C number' (last time it was option 9). On finally getting an operator after 5 mins of hold, they told me I should not have bypassed security, despite being instructed to do so by their own member of staff! Disgraceful. In addition, I was told the second charge was triggered because the transfer hadn't credited until after the weekend!! (It's in our Ts and Cs, Sir!) Praise be when the FSA finally get this practice outlawed.