Barclays Bank Charges
Have you paid over the limit fees or late payment charges on your credit card that you believe were unfair? Following an investigation by The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in 2006 banks and other lenders have been forced to reduce these charges. As a result, if you have paid Barclays Bank charges; or charges applied by any other lender, of more than £12 in the past you could be entitled to hundreds or even thousands of pounds in compensation.
The OFT launched its investigation following a large volume of complaints regarding unfair charges. It was found that some banks were charging up to £35 on each occasion a customer made a late payment or accidentally exceeded their agreed limit. In most cases these fees were applied time and time again regardless of whether the customer was over their limit by just a few pounds or missed their payment deadline by just one day. Also, as the fees were applied automatically, they often forced customers deeper into debt. Critics of the charges claimed they penalised people in the worst financial situations and that some banks were making the financial problems of their customers more difficult rather than trying to help them manage their debt.
Barclays banks charges were justified by the lender as being necessary to cover the cost of administering accounts when customers missed a payment or exceeded their limit. After a thorough investigation; however, the OFT dismissed this idea. It set the maximum fee at £12 and advised banks they would not face further action and potential fines if they kept within this limit. This figure takes into account the staffing, postage and some contribution towards IT costs. As a consequence of the OFT's finding, most banks now charge £12 as standard.
Although the amount charged has now been reduced to a more reasonable rate many people remain angry that they paid Barclays Bank Charges for many years that have now been deemed unfair. The good news is that as a result of the OFT's charges review you may now be able to reclaim late payments fees and over the limit charges paid in the past. To make a claim simply complete the quick claim form or call our team on 0207 471 2000.
We also help customers claim payment protection refunds. Following investigations by The OFT and the FSA it was found that many customers had been mis-sold payment protection insurance. The cover, often known simply as PPI, is sold alongside loans, mortgages, hire purchase agreements, store and credit cards. So far more than 1.6 million people have registered a claim for mis-sold PPI and millions of pounds of compensation have been paid out. If you have been sold a payment protection insurance policy that you didn't want or need or that is unsuitable for your needs start your ppi refund claim by calling us today on 0207 471 2000.
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