Bloody bank charges

[fogducker]

Are you p*ssed off with being charged 30 quid because the bank paid a DD a couple of hours before your wages went in.
Check out these websites
http://www.bankchargeshell.co.uk/
http://www.govanlc.com/england&wales_courtaction.html

[AndyZ]

These sites are really useful. I recently complained to my bank (Natwest) about charges and was credited them back. It seems that the money grabbing ba**ards have had their day and its time for us mere mortals to fight back. You now have the law on YOUR side at last, I was told this info by my accountant (I'm self employed) and I believe that this countrys financial institutions are now literally quaking in their boots and keeping very quiet on this matter, who can blame them, but this in reality means that they are going to have to pay back £millions. Serves them right!!!

[Beerofund]

Are you p*ssed off with being charged 30 quid because the bank paid a DD a couple of hours before your wages went in.
Check out these websites
http://www.bankchargeshell.co.uk/
http://www.govanlc.com/england&wales_courtaction.html
At least you were paid - unlike several thousand who didn't!!! lol

[The Masked Geek]

It seems that the money grabbing ba**ards have had their day and its time for us mere mortals to fight back. You now have the law on YOUR side at last, I was told this info by my accountant

The trouble with this is that now the banks know we are on to them, they will start charging for their services to cover the losses; some already are.

The only people who gain from this are those who can't manage their money. I have never had a bank charge for missed/late/bounced payment and I am well p1ssed off that I will have to cough up extra dough to pay for a service just because some cretin can't sort his/her finances out.

To conclude, well done for getting your money back but thanks a lot for increasing my outgoings.:PDT_Xtremez_32:

[AndyZ]

The trouble with this is that now the banks know we are on to them, they will start charging for their services to cover the losses; some already are.

The only people who gain from this are those who can't manage their money. I have never had a bank charge for missed/late/bounced payment and I am well p1ssed off that I will have to cough up extra dough to pay for a service just because some cretin can't sort his/her finances out.

To conclude, well done for getting your money back but thanks a lot for increasing my outgoings.:PDT_Xtremez_32:

I see your point but, I am led to believe that they are not allowed to increase charges and most banks now offer "free" banking, in an ever increasing competetive market, to those who stay in credit therefore, you should not have to pay more. If you do get charged complain to your bank or better still to the regulators who are keeping a steady eye on the banks at this time.

[fogducker]

I dont see how you can blame me for this, surely the blame should lie on the banks for overcharging and the OFT for bringing to light these overcharges.
I am merely informing those who have been charged the fact that they can recoup some of this money, especially for those who have been f**cked about with JPA.

[can't an SAC do it?]

Not really to do with bank charges....

I had my card swallowed by a machine the other week after it crashed while I was using it. Put a downer on my trip to the pub it did. Went to the offending bank the next day and they informed me that they had my card behind the counter but would not give it back. Policy apparently!

So through no fault of my own I had no access to my cash without first phoning my bank and then making a trip to the local branch to get the cash from a cashier type person. Bit of a bind when its miles away due to cost saving closures.

My point from all this though is the banks use and abuse their customers. They make mistakes and we pay for it, then hide behind policy to justify it.

And another thing: watch out for the Alliance and Leicester. I've noticed that although the machine says my wages have cleared and available, it still deducts a cash withdrawal before adding my wages. Put me £250 overdrawn they did.

A good rant about it makes me feel better though!

[chiprafp]

Been with first direct for 6 years now and never had one problem with them. Recently when on Det the missus used the wrong card for the shopping and it sent the joint account over the agreed limit. I was charged 60 quid in all because i didnt realise the error until I got home on R&R (As I do all the internet banking for us) Phoned them up and explained and a full refund was given. They are a great bank in my opinion.

[Notsoblunt]

Perhaps I should have put this in the Top Tips thread, but it seems appropriate to mention it here.........

Fed up of being charged for making withdrawals from ATM machines abroad? - then get yourself a Nationwide account. You will not be charged anything by Nationwide for using your card to withdraw cash - from any ATM, anywhere in the world.

As most other banks charge at least £1.50 a go, this has saved Mrs Notsoblunt and myself a small fortune over the years! :PDT_Xtremez_30:

[AndyZ]

Lots of advice and standard letters over at the Bank action group at http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/

Some people there are claiming back '000s.....and winning!!

[gordon bennett]

this is quite popular on www.moneysavingexpert.com at them moment.
Quite timely too as Mrs G B was charged twice for going £1 overdrawn. She quoted the legislation highlighted on Martins website, telling the Royal Bank of Scotland their charges were unlawful and hey presto the next day the bank waived both charges 'as a goodwill gesture'
The website is well worth a good read and also sign up for the weekly e-mail update, plenty of good advice ..... for nowt !!:PDT_Xtremez_30:

[chiprafp]

Have been using that site for about a year now and its well worth a visit!

[God_is_a_TG1_rigger]

Just recieved a letter from the bank informing me that they don't agree with my complaint that their charges are illegal, they have however agreed to pay me a "goodwill" gesture of over £2000. Which is nice.

[Tashy_Man]

Just recieved a letter from the bank informing me that they don't agree with my complaint that their charges are illegal, they have however agreed to pay me a "goodwill" gesture of over £2000. Which is nice.

Got to ask, if thats their goodwill gesture what was your claim ? I am about to go down this route...getting fed up of being shafted by them.

I myself will go for the whole lot and not accept the "offer" they make as it's normally a figure that still leaves them in profit.

Nice one....did you use any of the sites or go it alone ?...be interesting to hear.

WTG and crack on................:PDT_Xtremez_09:

[God_is_a_TG1_rigger]

I got the full amount I was claiming for.

[WorsethanJPA]

To all,

You all are probably aware of the current TV & newspaper coverage on the bank's rip off charges on going over your overdraft/bouncing cheques etc which sometimes the banks can charge you up to £39 when the true administration cost is only £4.50.

The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 say charges must reflect administration costs and cannot be punitive.

Please see below on what you can/can't claim back and how to do a claim (I know I am in the process of doing it!!!)



You can claim:

One off charges for going into the red

Monthly or daily charges for being overdrawn

Charges for bouncing a direct debit and cheque/transaction

Charges for authorising a payment

What you can't claim:

Fees for stopping a cheque, ordering a banker's draft, using cards aboard or using a cash machine - if you know you are paying.

SO HOW DO I MAKE A CLAIM

Work out how much you are owed.

Reclaim up to six years of overdraft charges.

If you do not have statements for six years, ask for a list of all fees imposed when you went overdrawn, under the Data Protection Act. This should cost you no more than £10.

Add them up and write to your bank manager, asking for all the charges detailed to be refunded. Say you are doing so under the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999, which says a bank cannot profit from administration costs.

You can find a template letter on www.thisismoney.co.uk/bankcharges

Your bank may then offer you a partial refund. DO NOT ACCEPT THIS.

If your bank refuses a full refund, threaten county court action.

Fill in a form at www.moneyclaim.gov.uk or visit your local magistrate's court. This will cost a small percentage of your claim, but you'll get your money back if you win.

Banks have 14 days to submit an outline case - they may do this, but none has yet defended a case in court. Most will appear willing to fight the case until the last moment - when to date, they have paid up.

Be advised to open up another bank account, as some of the banks have threatened to close accounts.

If the banks delay refunding money after a court has ruled against them, send in debt collectors. Ask the court for a warrant of execution by filling in form N323 on the money Claim website.


This rub it in guys and girls, the top 4 banks made a combined £4.7 billion on penalty charges, don't let them get away with it any longer.

[The Masked Geek]

Here's an even better idea, don't go overdrawn in the first place. ::P:

[rodger-dodger]

I would just like to say that I do not have any problems with being charged extra monies by my bank:PDT_Xtremez_30: I, unlike what I have read in this thread, I can manage my money. Maybe I'll start a thread somewhere else on the topic.

Infact I think I'd rather go spend some money....:PDT_Xtremez_30:

Remember: 'Nothing smarts more than a smart with more smartness, and if it doesn't smart then your smarter than the average bear' (rodger-dodger 1754 20 Feb 07)

[Vim_Fuego]

'Spend 99p in the pound' and you'll not go far wrong....

Off Topic In the barbers in Ruislip yesterday and picked up the only paper available which was the Mirror...Some oxygen thief had written in the letters page 'Why don't the goverment give us a 99p coin to save having to wait for the 1p change in shops?'... :raf:

[monobrow]

'Spend 99p in the pound' and you'll not go far wrong....

Off Topic In the barbers in Ruislip yesterday and picked up the only paper available which was the Mirror...Some oxygen thief had written in the letters page 'Why don't the goverment give us a 99p coin to save having to wait for the 1p change in shops?'... :raf:

Off Topic

Strangely enough haven't seen that one as a petition, to go with the changing the national anthem to spandau ballet, and including "extreme frisbee" into the olympics!!!

Off Topic

[SirSaltyHelmet]

LloydstSB have a good one at the moment. spend money, they will round it up and drop it in your saving account. They then double it.

For example spend £5.01 on fuel. The bank round it up to £6.00, drop the 99p difference in your savings account and then double it. £1.98 for spending a penny!!!

Going to what worsethenjpa said, his method works and I have been helping people for ages; however it does take time - can be 4 or 5 months

[Gregwah Peanut]

if you've ever been stung for bank charges such as overdraft fees or the like, click on this link to get your money back from the fookers!

http://news.five.tv/features_story.asp?id=125&fid=24

just got my last 6 years worth of charges back so it definately works!!!

[SirSaltyHelmet]

I cant be arsed to merge them anymore! Must have done it ten times.... Some other MOD do it please

[mad_collie]

threads merged (again)

[The Masked Geek]

Next people are gonna start trying to claim back money they were charged for going over the speed limit.

[Scaley brat]

Next people are gonna start trying to claim back money they were charged for going over the speed limit.

Yet another thing I can't claim back cos I'm a good boy !! :PDT_Xtremez_15:

[The Masked Geek]

Then anyone who's ever been charged will be after claiming their wages back. Oh my God, where will it end. :PDT_Xtremez_30:

What people may be failing to realise is that an unauthorised overdraft could be classed as theft and a bounced check considered attempted theft; therefore, fines are appropriate.

Yes the banks have made a lot of money from this but how much do they lose in interest caused by people not managing their finances? Obviously there will be some mistakes but these are usually remedied quickly.

[WorsethanJPA]

Here's an even better idea, don't go overdrawn in the first place. ::P:

Sorry to hear that the Masked Geek has to be sarcastic in what is a serious topic, obviously needs to take a look in the mirror and ask himself 'Do people really like me?'. Answer is no by the way!!!
On a more serious note, the Banks have made billions of pounds in hitting people who have gone over their overdrafts by a couple of pence, most of the time its the banks 'overdraft fee' that puts people over their overdraft limit anyway!!!
On a good note, I've just got 465 pounds back from my bank after I threatened court action. Process only took 2 weeks.

[FootTapper]

Moral View - *nearly* every time I've exceeded overdraft limit, bounced a cheque etc etc it's been my own fault. I knew the Ts and Cs when I signed up to the account so I deserve to be charged for it.

Realist View - The OFTs statement suggests that these charges *may* be considered excessive. If they are excessive they are illegal.

My View - No bank has ever done me a favour, they are some of the least helpful organisations I've ever dealt with. A few years ago they decided to change the dates of all my standing orders to two days before payday. They then charged me £300 (10 x £30) because the standing orders all bounced. It took me two months to get them to refund the charges when they finally admitted that it was their computer that made the mistake. They scoffed at the idea that I should get compensation.

Needless to say I jumped at the chance to threaten them with court action when I heard about the OFTs statement.

I claimed from them and an old CC company - got back every penny I asked for

£4800 - that will do nicely.

[WorsethanJPA]

Moral View - *nearly* every time I've exceeded overdraft limit, bounced a cheque etc etc it's been my own fault. I knew the Ts and Cs when I signed up to the account so I deserve to be charged for it.

Realist View - The OFTs statement suggests that these charges *may* be considered excessive. If they are excessive they are illegal.

My View - No bank has ever done me a favour, they are some of the least helpful organisations I've ever dealt with. A few years ago they decided to change the dates of all my standing orders to two days before payday. They then charged me £300 (10 x £30) because the standing orders all bounced. It took me two months to get them to refund the charges when they finally admitted that it was their computer that made the mistake. They scoffed at the idea that I should get compensation.

Needless to say I jumped at the chance to threaten them with court action when I heard about the OFTs statement.

I claimed from them and an old CC company - got back every penny I asked for

£4800 - that will do nicely.

Footapper, great news in getting your hard earned money back and explaining the pros/cons and your view. Masked geek take note.

[lisab]

Sorry to hear that the Masked Geek has to be sarcastic in what is a serious topic, obviously needs to take a look in the mirror and ask himself 'Do people really like me?'. Answer is no by the way!!!
On a more serious note, the Banks have made billions of pounds in hitting people who have gone over their overdrafts by a couple of pence, most of the time its the banks 'overdraft fee' that puts people over their overdraft limit anyway!!!
On a good note, I've just got 465 pounds back from my bank after I threatened court action. Process only took 2 weeks.

I agree with Masked Geek 'dont go overdrawn' I despise banks as much as the next person but they are businesses at the end of the day and if a customer goes over an authorised overdraft ITS NOT THEIR MONEY TO SPEND! and come to think of it a bl00dy overdraft isnt their money!!!! it doesnt matter if its a penny or a tenner its still not their money! When I first left the RAF I did a stint with First Direct just to keep a wage coming in, that was a real eye opener, most customers that inadvertantly went over their limit by a few pence and most of the time stayed in their limits rang up and got the charge back straight away its the feckers that live on their overdrafts month in month out, they should stop spending money they havent got on sh1te they cant afford!!!!

[WorsethanJPA]

I agree with Masked Geek 'dont go overdrawn' I despise banks as much as the next person but they are businesses at the end of the day and if a customer goes over an authorised overdraft ITS NOT THEIR MONEY TO SPEND! and come to think of it a bl00dy overdraft isnt their money!!!! it doesnt matter if its a penny or a tenner its still not their money! When I first left the RAF I did a stint with First Direct just to keep a wage coming in, that was a real eye opener, most customers that inadvertantly went over their limit by a few pence and most of the time stayed in their limits rang up and got the charge back straight away its the feckers that live on their overdrafts month in month out, they should stop spending money they havent got on sh1te they cant afford!!!!

Firstly I am glad you are no longer in the service, with a unhelpful manner like that (you and the masked geek must be related). I shudder to think if SAC Bloggs came to you with money matters and what your irresponsible response would be.
Obviously we have going to have different opinions on this matter. Yes I agree people should be more mindful of their money, however it depends on personal circumstances LISAB, a lot of singlies/married people are struggling out there, yes some of them spend stupidly, but for the decent people the cost of living in the UK is too high. You just have to look at the amount of people who are now doing IVA's & are bankrupt daily to understand this.
What the banks are doing is illegal (please see my previous thread & Footapper), the administration charge is 4.50 pounds not 30-39 pounds which the banks are hitting us with and on top of that they charge 20 pounds for using the authorised overdraft!!!! So really who is winning Lisa B, cause its not us!! The banks made a combined profit of 4.5 billion pounds from these charges.
Like I said earlier, this topic will generate more heated debate. But I got my money quickly back from First Direct once I threatened them with court action, if what they were doing was correct, why so quick to pay up!!!!

[lisab]

Firstly I am glad you are no longer in the service, with a unhelpful manner like that (you and the masked geek must be related). I shudder to think if SAC Bloggs came to you with money matters and what your irresponsible response would be.
Obviously we have going to have different opinions on this matter. Yes I agree people should be more mindful of their money, however it depends on personal circumstances LISAB, a lot of singlies/married people are struggling out there, yes some of them spend stupidly, but for the decent people the cost of living in the UK is too high. You just have to look at the amount of people who are now doing IVA's & are bankrupt daily to understand this.
What the banks are doing is illegal (please see my previous thread & Footapper), the administration charge is 4.50 pounds not 30-39 pounds which the banks are hitting us with and on top of that they charge 20 pounds for using the authorised overdraft!!!! So really who is winning Lisa B, cause its not us!! The banks made a combined profit of 4.5 billion pounds from these charges.
Like I said earlier, this topic will generate more heated debate. But I got my money quickly back from First Direct once I threatened them with court action, if what they were doing was correct, why so quick to pay up!!!!

Right! I do not want an arguement but there was really no need for the 'Im glad youre not in the RAF comment'! When I was in the forces I was helpful and now I have left I would still do anything I can to help anyone my point was I know people go overdrawn he11 Ive done it myself BUT I didnt live beyond my means, I didnt get to the end of the month and think hmmmm Ive got a fiver left on my overdraft ooooo what I NEED is a pair of designer jeans, that new cd, oh a couple of new dvds and a flat screen telly!!!! if youre skint at the end of the month why spend effectively the banks money on luxuries that you could live without until you have a bit of spare cash!!!!! Not for one minute was I having a go at the people that try to live on crap money that are sensible but just bad circumstances!!!! and as for what the banks are doing be it right or wrong I stand by my comment on the fact they are a business and therefore want to make a profit albeit a large one!!! I dont agree with the charges and yes I do think they are too much and if I did go over my limit I would want the charge back but that is because I dont do it every single month!!!! oh and p. s if Sac Bloggs came to me with money matters I would probably lend him my last tenner cos Im nice like that!!!::P:
Mad Collie/Gem the fiver is on its way before you ask!!! lol

[WorsethanJPA]

Right! I do not want an arguement but there was really no need for the 'Im glad youre not in the RAF comment'! When I was in the forces I was helpful and now I have left I would still do anything I can to help anyone my point was I know people go overdrawn he11 Ive done it myself BUT I didnt live beyond my means, I didnt get to the end of the month and think hmmmm Ive got a fiver left on my overdraft ooooo what I NEED is a pair of designer jeans, that new cd, oh a couple of new dvds and a flat screen telly!!!! if youre skint at the end of the month why spend effectively the banks money on luxuries that you could live without until you have a bit of spare cash!!!!! Not for one minute was I having a go at the people that try to live on crap money that are sensible but just bad circumstances!!!! and as for what the banks are doing be it right or wrong I stand by my comment on the fact they are a business and therefore want to make a profit albeit a large one!!! I dont agree with the charges and yes I do think they are too much and if I did go over my limit I would want the charge back but that is because I dont do it every single month!!!! oh and p. s if Sac Bloggs came to me with money matters I would probably lend him my last tenner cos Im nice like that!!!::P:
Mad Collie/Gem the fiver is on its way before you ask!!! lol

LisaB, thanks for your point of view and showing a more passive side to your arguement, we are actually agreeing on a lot of issues.
So case closed, as far as I am concerned!!!

[The Masked Geek]

Sorry to hear that the Masked Geek has to be sarcastic in what is a serious topic, obviously needs to take a look in the mirror and ask himself 'Do people really like me?'. Answer is no by the way!!!

The last time that somebody who didn't like my argument resorted to insulting me, I was 11 years old.

Now as for the overdrawn bollox and people struggling and the UK being too expensive, how come I have over £5000 in my current account? Are things cheaper for me? Does my money magically multiply overnight? Do my bank's mistakes increase my balance?

No, I do something called taking responsibility for my finances rather than crying about it and trying to blame everyone else.

Grow up and sort yourself out.

[FootTapper]

No, I do something called taking responsibility for my finances rather than crying about it and trying to blame everyone else.




I admire you're financial wisdom.

But ya gotta admit- you have to be at least a little jealous that the bank has just given me £5k for nothing? ;)

[roverboy]

I admire you're financial wisdom.

But ya gotta admit- you have to be at least a little jealous that the bank has just given me £5k for nothing? ;)

But it wasn't for nothing, was it? They've just given you your own money back and made interest on it, denying you any interest you would have made on it.

[SirSaltyHelmet]

Realist View - The OFTs statement suggests that these charges *may* be considered excessive. If they are excessive they are illegal.



They are unlawful not illegal... A difference

[FootTapper]

But it wasn't for nothing, was it? They've just given you your own money back and made interest on it, denying you any interest you would have made on it.


Au Contraire!

I made 8% tax free on each and every charge - dated from the date of the charge to the date of the court claim. I can't think of an investment that offers such a good rate. Hell I wish I had thought of it sooner and got charged more!

[WorsethanJPA]

The last time that somebody who didn't like my argument resorted to insulting me, I was 11 years old.

Now as for the overdrawn bollox and people struggling and the UK being too expensive, how come I have over £5000 in my current account? Are things cheaper for me? Does my money magically multiply overnight? Do my bank's mistakes increase my balance?

No, I do something called taking responsibility for my finances rather than crying about it and trying to blame everyone else.

Grow up and sort yourself out.

You are an idiot thats why. Like I said to footapper, I pity the poor SAC that has to go to you to say he has money issues or a person who is going through a divorce, people like you in the services we don't need, please leave.

[SirSaltyHelmet]

Au Contraire!

I made 8% tax free on each and every charge - dated from the date of the charge to the date of the court claim. I can't think of an investment that offers such a good rate. Hell I wish I had thought of it sooner and got charged more!

Maybe so, but your credit rating will be shot to fcuk. Who really wins? 4K in charges will leave many a flag on your rating.

[monobrow]

well in little over 14 months, natwest managed to rack up £1150 of charges on my account.

Letter has already gone.

[The Masked Geek]

You are an idiot thats why. Like I said to footapper, I pity the poor SAC that has to go to you to say he has money issues or a person who is going through a divorce, people like you in the services we don't need, please leave.

Ah the insults again, well done, your towering intellect has left me breathless.

As for divorces, I went through one myself 7 years ago and still managed to sort out my finances.

I will have a sympathetic ear for anybody who has gone into the red through no fault of their own but in today's debt culture there are fairly few of those cases left. People seem only too happy to max out credit cards, get loans and buy flash gear on HP then cry when it all collapses around them.

I'm sorry if I sound a little harsh but most people in debt have nobody to blame other than themselves.

And what, pray tell, are people like me?

[FootTapper]

Maybe so, but your credit rating will be shot to fcuk. Who really wins? 4K in charges will leave many a flag on your rating.

I'm not claiming to be *pleased* to have incurred the charges - given the choice I'd rather not have been in the situations (most of the charges stem from 3 months in 2000 when the RAF decided not to pay me on payday, but put my pay in a week late. Some of the charges were from the bank deciding to change all my SO dates on a whim) The resultant bank charges - applied on 25th of the month - took me overdrawn, resulting in more charges, etc etc.

But given the choice of a screwed credit rating and £5k paid back to me, or just the screwed credit rating....







... show me the money.

I've used it wisely - I've spent it all on rebuilding a car. I might even make up a little thank you decal to the Woolwich for helping fund it.

[BillyBoy]

Just had a chat with one of the lads in work about how he made a claim with his bank for charges, he then won and recieved the full amount requested (which was a fair few k).

For anyone who's interested, the forms can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/insurance_and_finance/insurance_20070404.shtml


My question to you all though is this, is he a one off or do you know of other people that have claimed and won?

I have started toying with the idea, and was wondering what the score was before I get the ball rolling.

Over to you :PDT_Xtremez_30:

[flounder_al]

Two people on a sea fishing forum i go on have also won. One got back £1k and the other over £2k.

More and more people getting it back now.

[BillyBoy]

Just had a chat with one of the lads in work about how he made a claim with his bank for charges, he then won and recieved the full amount requested (which was a fair few k).

For anyone who's interested, the forms can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/insurance_and_finance/insurance_20070404.shtml


My question to you all though is this, is he a one off or do you know of other people that have claimed and won?

I have started toying with the idea, and was wondering what the score was before I get the ball rolling.

Over to you :PDT_Xtremez_30:

Thanks for merging the threads. Sorry i missed the first one :PDT_Xtremez_42:

[mad_mo]

People bang on about bank charges, well I was hit with £230 of charges from lloyds.

I made one simple phonecall to the bank, explained the situation as to why I incurred these charges and they were dropped.

Simple as that!.

Sometimes speaking to your bank and explaining in a polite manner will result in what happened to me.

[Mrs_Monobrow]

Just had a chat with one of the lads in work about how he made a claim with his bank for charges, he then won and recieved the full amount requested (which was a fair few k).

For anyone who's interested, the forms can be found here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/reports/insurance_and_finance/insurance_20070404.shtml


My question to you all though is this, is he a one off or do you know of other people that have claimed and won?

I have started toying with the idea, and was wondering what the score was before I get the ball rolling.

Over to you :PDT_Xtremez_30:


We won. We wrote to the bank asking for full payment of just over a grand. We ended up sending all 3 warning letters before they got back to us saying the usual ''our charges are fair blah blah blah, but on this occasion we will pay you back in full!'' RESULT!

One tip though, you must be prepared to go to court. If you threaten it and dont file a claim, you cant re-write to them. 99% of the banks will refund your cash before it gets as far as court.

GOOD LUCK!