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We have helped get back nearly £170,000 in unfair bank charges for those bank customers who have used our Two-Step Guide on How to Challenge Your Bank.

It is not difficult to make a complaint about unfair bank charges to your bank. The Consumer Council's guide gives you template letters you can use and all the information you need. The guide is FREE, and what's more, if you don't understand anything or want to ask a question you can telephone our banking team on 0800 121 6022 or e- mail: complaints@consumercouncil.org.uk

To download your Two-Step Guide on How to challenge your bank, click here.

Campaign update - Court decision to be appealed, 22 May 2008

The High Court judgement that bank charges can be tested for fairness is to be appealed by the banks and building society involved in the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) test case. It is likely that the appeal will be heard in the autumn.

The High Court judgement on 24 April 2008 agreed with us that unauthorised overdraft charges can be tested for fairness. It is disappointing news for the thousands of consumers here who led this consumer revolution by challenging their banks and building societies.

In mid-July 2008 the OFT will start discussing with the seven banks and building society involved in the test case how much their charges should be. This will happen even though an appeal is going ahead. It should keep any delay to the minimum, but a final decision on whether the charges are fair or not is some way off.

In the meantime, people are still paying outrageous amounts of money for slipping into the red. You can make your complaint now if you're unhappy about the charges and if they are found to be unfair then you will be in line for a refund. This pack tells you more about unauthorised overdraft charges and how to make a complaint. If you need any more information or help contact our team on 0800 121 6022 or email complaints@consumercouncil.org.uk.

This pack tells you more about unauthorised overdraft charges and how to make a complaint.  If you need any more information or help contact our team on 0800 121 6022 or email complaints@consumercouncil.org.uk.

How do I reclaim unfair bank charges?

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is currently taking their own test case against eight of the UK’s biggest banks and building societies.  The test case will examine whether or not the banks unauthorised overdraft and returned item charges are fair. 

What does this mean?

All complaints about unauthorised overdraft charges have been put on hold until the test case is resolved. 

This means that your bank does not have to consider your complaint or make you an offer until after the test case, and this applies to all banks operating in Northern Ireland.  The Financial Ombudsman Service and the small claims courts are not currently considering these complaints either. 

But it is still worth making your complaint now because when the court case is settled the bank has to deal with the complaints promptly and yours will be at the front of the queue!

What should I do now?

If you haven’t yet complained –you can make your complaint now or wait until after the test case.

To download your Two-Step Guide on How to challenge your bank, click here.

If you complain now your complaint will be recorded and stored by your bank but you will not receive a response until after the test case. 

Even if the OFT wins, banks may not be required to automatically give refunds to all customers so we recommend that you still put in a claim for a refund now even though it will not be dealt with until later.  You should also keep all your bank statements as a record of any unauthorised overdraft and returned item charges applied between now and when the test case is resolved.

I can’t pay off my overdraft, what should I do?

Banks have to deal with cases of genuine hardship sympathetically and positively.  If you are in financial difficulties let your bank know and if you are not happy with how they handle your case you should complain to the FOS.  If you are worried about money or struggling to make ends meet, contact a money adviser at your local advice centre, Citizens Advice or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.

I have a complaint about my bank on another issue, what should I do?

Make your complaint in the normal way ie complain to the bank and if you are not satisfied with their response, take your complaint to the FOS. 

If you have questions about making a complaint or during the reclaiming process, please feel free to contact our banking team on 0800 121 6022 or e-mail: complaints@consumercouncil.org.uk