Reserves Fee's on Benefits

[Villaman]

Hi,

 

I have been out of week since September last year and my only income has been Tax Credits, I had a couple of £22 reserve fee's taken which I had forgotten about and since being on Tax credits I have not exceeded the money I had going in to my account but due to the original reserve fee's it has meant that I have been using my reserve every month without my knowledge due to the fact i knew the excact amount going in to my account and knew how much I could withdraw. My tax credits have dropped considerably and do not even cover the reserve amount let alone my overdraft now. Due to the first couple of reserve fee's the subsequent fee's since then have amounted to over £800 how do I stand in getting these charges refunded as I believe the Banks are not allowed to take charges from a benefit.

 

Thanks

[slick132]

Hi Villaman,

 

See the advice given to another user about charges being taken from benefits - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?275722-Need-help-bank-charging-me-for-having-no-money

 

Also, as they have taken so much in charges whilst you are suffering financial hardship, you should be able to seek a refund of the charges. See here - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?253-Hardship-applications

 

To stop the situation getting any worse, you should consider having your benefit money paid into another a/c if you have one, or can open a new one at a different bank.

 

[Villaman]

Thank you Slick 132, My first thought was about changing my bank and thankfully I already have one which has been dormant and was easily set back up, and thank you for the template links they havce given me a starting point to hopefully get it all sorted and back in the black.