Success at reclaiming bank charges anyone?

[vespaboy]

I am wondering if anybody has had success at reclaimimg bank charges as recommended on Moneysavingexpert.com.
Is it worth the hassle? Has a bank closed an account because of this? What are your experiences?
Thanks

[Ethel]

Banks can and do close accounts because of this - but not always.

How much have you paid in charges?

[Oneeyedvic]

Firstly, why not try keeping within your agreed overdraft limit (or not going overdrawn) and hey presto you won't get charged anything.

Secondly, try using the search in the bottom left hand corner- if for example you typed in Bank Charges, you would go to the following screen: http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Search/Default. asp?SearchText=bank+charges&searchformSubmit=S UBMIT

Finally, before anyone complains that I am being harsh - thanks to people who claim back bank charges we will soon have to start paying for normal banking facilities like using a debit card or having a direct debit go out of our account! Think about that - we are one of the only countries that give the majority of people free banking - all you need to be is responsible - apparently this is too difficult for some people.

[vespaboy]

Over the last six years I've been charged approx �400 in total (I am not always overdrawn but can drop in the red occasionally).

I do not want to lose my account for such a small amount of money so I'm wondering if it is hassle free.

Oneeyedvic, thanks for the advise, I did not know about the search facility.

[Ethel]

I agree entirely, oneeyevic - I am old enough to remember being charged for every cheque I wrote and paid in.

[bensmum]

Open a basic bank account with another bank before trying to claim back charges just in case. Just remember that a basic bank account has no overdraft facility so you would have to run it responsibly. And as I have said before sometimes things get out of control and while there are some with a cavalier attitude who expect others to pick up the pieces it is not always possible to keep to the limits. I have no problem with the bank charging me for going over my limit, I just don't see how they can justify the level of charges when they are only supposed to refect their costs.