BBC: One in five people hit with penalty charges

[Guest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4608878.stm

 

Folks, this is apparently becoming widespread. The most common reason for these penalty charges appears to be "the banks do it, so we will too" - So if you've faced penalty charges from another organisation, PLEASE post it here, because if we win a court case against ANYONE else over these fees, and some companies won't be half as efficient at defending from litigation as the banks are - THIS SETS THE PRECIDENCE THAT WILL BRING THE BANKS DOWN.

 

If it's ruled illegal ANYWHERE, that ruling can be applied to the banks policy of using this illegal charging system to line their own pockets, and will ultimately end it entirely, but we have to start somewhere.

[pauli]

Has anyone else noticed that British Telecom have started to apply "late payment" charges?

 

The amount is only 5 GBP but I have not come across it before.

 

A bit odd really given that the larger part of most peoples telephone bills aer service charges that are paid for in advance!

 

Very graciously they do not charge VAT on the charge.

 

I intend to take it up with them..will keep you all posted

[Guest]

Telewest do to. When the amount is relatively low, such as £5 in can just about be justified - after all, someone does have to review the fact your account is in arrears and send out a letter, tasks which are automated with a bank.

 

I am about to take issue with a career development loan company, however - their late charge is £15

[Guest stephen]

BT and Telewest are now charging £10.00

[Vampyra]

This is disgraceful.

 

If we, the customer started "charging" banks, et al for various little things, we'd be up in court for a form of fraud.

 

Wish I didn't have to have a bank account, or a phone account or anything else where people can "pilfer" money from me.

[totallylost]

Hi

I was cut off from BT a while back because I couldn't pay the bill, usual story. I was lucky enough that my mum helped me and paid the bill for me a few weeks ago.

I phoned up and they wanted £50.00 security deposit. I was gobsmacked!! Mum paid that too. (she wasn't too happy either). I was reconnected and have just had my first bill in.

 

I could scream. The call charges are just a little over £5.00. OTHER SERVICE CHARGES £30.00 RECONNECTION FEE £30.00

The total of the bill for approximately 2 weeks comes to over £78.00!!!

They want full payment by the 22nd July!! They'll be lucky. I only have a cash account, no cards or means of internet payment either. If I ask my mother again, she will probably rip the phone out altogether!! LOL!

 

Should BT have charged me a security deposit in the first place? The debt was in my husbands name, not mine. They still wouldn't accept this. AND charge me OTHER service charges?? AND a reconnection fee??

My telephone now is with TESCO.s. I have the lowest option available from BT, the line rental.

I am not at all happy... is there anything I can do?

[Guest]

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