bank charges on supposedly authorised overdraft

[woola]

I have been with Halifax since...well forever really. I managed to get a student account from them no problem, and they've always increased my overdraft each year with no prompting (and then reduced it at my request!). When I graduated my account changed to a standard current account, without them informing me, and I'm now being charged between �5-15 a month interest on my overdraft. I'm in full time work, I'm just finding it hard to get out of the 'wages go in - rent goes out' circle. My branch is a wee village one who seem clueless abot the whole thing and gave me the number for customer services - who told me to talk to my branch. I've just read on their website I'm entitled to retain the student account for a year after I graduate. Will I have left it too late? I graduated last July. I wonder what my chances are of getting the charges back? Does anyone have any advice?

[Ethel]

If I understand that correctly, you are paying interest, not charges.

How long did you have the student account for?

[woola]

from when i started university 3 years ago.

now i come to think of it, how do they even know ive finished?!

[Ethel]

You need to make an appointment to see the branch manager of the nearest main branch.

I suggest you phone customer services again - and if it's not resolved over the phone, ask them to make the appointment for you.

Before you see the manager, send a letter explaining the problem, with the account number and so on. This will all save time at the appointment.

Photocopy the relevant documents, especially of when the student account was opened and when the interest charges started. Take them to the meeting.

I have found Halifax to be pretty good when they have made errors, and compensated me as well as refunded any wrong interest or charges.

And print off this page and take it with you!

http://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/student. shtml

[woola]

Thanks very much Ethel, I'll do that this weekend! Hopefully they'll be co-operative, I've never had trouble with them up to now. No doubt it'll be down to an 'administrative error'!