Just to cheer folk up, thought I would post this to let you know that ... HSBC have just rung and given me a row for paying my Graduate loan on time as normal. The lad that called seemed very unsure as to why he'd been told to call but said it was his duty to inform me that if I misbehave again, I'm in real trouble! And did I know that my account is WITHIN its overdraft limit - I realise that this is a novelty but didn't think it warrented a phone call! Do you think I've got them confussed?

Thanks BigBoy (feels strange typing that!) I enetered all interest charges that appeared on my statements, usually at beginning of the following month. Whats got me wondering is that the rates vary from £0.10 to £13.63 with no two months appearing the same. Also, my account was classed as a Graduate Account, so there shouldn't have been any general interest or only minimal amounts - so still confussed. Should I try one of the spreadsheets that calculate interest (vampiress)?

Can anyone adivse me? I have recieved a letter today from HSBC, telling me that; "HSBC's interest rates are well publicised in respect to both authorised and unauthorised overdrafts. You have asked us to refund overdraft interest on your account. It is, of course, a condition of your borrowing from us that you will pay interest at the agreed rates on that borrowing. As such we will not be refunding the interest that has been applied to your debt." Is the above correct? They have also made a part settlement offer of £1440.00, representing the charges applied in full and final settlement. The amount I claimed for is £1,820.03 (which included the above interest charges) and am about to take the frightening step of starting court proceedings in England, despite living in Scotland. Can someone please advise before I start court proceedings in England on Monday (9/10/06). Many thanks

Tomorrow (30 Sept) is the final day HSBChave to respond before I should start court proceedings. Am in Scotland and can't decide whether to make various small claims through Scottish Court system (£750 a time) or to try going through English court system, by finding an address I can use in England. HAs anyone got any advice

Hi Have just found your thread, and am up against the same thing, HSBC customer in Scotland. Any advice you could give would be most helpful as the Scottish system is much harder to access without the use of a solicitor. You would seem to be much further along the line than myself, I have recently sent my LBA. Best of luck .

Excellent adivce, thank you. I have been paying a regular monthly amount to my HSBC account in order to reduce my debt and make sure it does not incur more charges by going over the agreed amount but I have not made an offer in writing as you suggest and often the amount depends on how much I can spare.

Thanks, I appreciate it. My claim is considerably more than my overdraft. Am at LBA level and need to look into small claims court procedure in Scotland. Have explained to them as a disabled non working client I would be very hard pushed to pay back entire overdraft in one go but I don't think they are too interested. Thanks again for your support.

Does anyone know where I stand with being told to pay off my overdraft? I know they are throwing their toys out of the pram because I am claiming my unfair penalty charges back but I don't know if I have rights in the matter. HELP

Hiya Am one step ahead, about to send LBA, as they think free statements and cheque books make up for the charges. Have a good read of the site, there is some great stuff there, doesn't make you less nervous but does back you up a bit. Good luck

Hi - Wish I'd seen this before, I'd have happily come down to give support - best of luck, let us all know how you go

Has anyone been asked to payoff their overdraft since beginning the procedure to reclaim unfair penalties? I have! I opened a new account with different bank, transfered all dd/so's etc and paid a monthly amount to HSBC to keep my overdraft from going over the arranged figure. I then got a letter asking me to pay off my overdraft, so I responded by saying if they would care to refund the unlawful penalties as requested I would be more than happy to pay off my overdraft. Got a phone call, saying that their decision had nothing to do with my claim over unfair charges and that they wanted promise of overdraft being paid off. I must have said "please put this in writing" 5 times, during which she continued to speak right over the top of me, on the 5th repartition I hung up! Not sure where I stand with this legally, so any help out there would be welcome. Good luck all

Thinks that's bad? They paid someone elses wages into my account in error and took them back out over 6 working days later without my permission! Ombudsman said if it happens again, take money out, put it into high interest bearing account and make bank apply for money then offer them £10 per month so that you make on the interest. Interesting eh!

Not sure it this is any help but I sent mine to my branch and cc'd it to Service Quality Team in Leeds - oh yeh - registered mail for both! Good luck

Not sure if I'm doing this to get square with the bank (at long last), to pay them back for all the hideous mistakes they've made on my behalf over the years or because I want the money but I'M DOING IT! So, got the copy statements, calculated the various penalties/charges, stretched my brain to understand excel after so many years away from that sort of thing, sent the first letter and on day 14 got a reply saying that they won't refund charges cos after all they do give me free statements and cheque books (bless em). Now it gets scarier, LBA and a whole load of doctoring to make the letter fit. Today I discover that you may only claim 5 years worth in Scotland. Does this apply to a bank that only has 2 branches in Scotland or is it just because I live here (having opened the account originally in England), then there is the getting to know the Small Claims court procuedure for Scotland (nice little booklet not applying up here). Heyho - what an education and its fascinating too. Is there anybody else out there gunning for HSBC whilst living in Scotland? It would be great to buddy-up with someone in a similar situation. Good luck all