suzysparkle
Well-Known Member
To avoid bank charges :
1) You have to have money in the day before direct debits / standing orders come out. These come out very early in the morning which means you will go overdrawn if you don't have money in. This triggers a charge. If you pay money in later the same day it doesn't mattter because your limit has been breached. It is all done automatically.
2) Re debit cards. Retailers have a shop floor limit (set by the retailer). Anything under this and your card will go through even if you don't have available funds. The rule - check you have money before you use your card. Online banking is good for this.
3) Work in cash (ie pay bills with giros and don't shop with your card). Seriously all charges are caused by automated and card payments. If you work in cash you will never go into unauthorised overdraft.
4) Shop around. There are bank accounts that work in a different way that might be better if you are constantly getting charged. PM me if you wish and I will explain.
The bottom line is it's not the bank that takes you into unauthorised overdraft. It's things you set up like direct debits and using a card when there's no money in the account that do. As for cheques...it depends on where the cheque is drawn and what type of account it's paid into. Cheques are not cleared in 3 days but the funds might be made available in 3 days. Certainty of fate takes longer. Request a copy of your terms and conditions - it will tell you how long it is until cheques are made available.
RE charge refunds. Contact your bank first. Go and speak to them. Every time you get a charge it affects your credit rating which will ultimately make it harder to switch to another bank.....but they all work in a similar way anyway. If your account is kept within it's terms and conditions (no-one ever reads them) then the bank won't charge you.
None of the above is meant to be harsh....is just factual not my personal thoughts.
Finally, please don't get to mad at branch staff and 'glorified clerks' as someone has so nicely put it (yeah thanks for that). We don't make the rules. Explain your feelings and your complaint will be dealt with through the correct channels.
1) You have to have money in the day before direct debits / standing orders come out. These come out very early in the morning which means you will go overdrawn if you don't have money in. This triggers a charge. If you pay money in later the same day it doesn't mattter because your limit has been breached. It is all done automatically.
2) Re debit cards. Retailers have a shop floor limit (set by the retailer). Anything under this and your card will go through even if you don't have available funds. The rule - check you have money before you use your card. Online banking is good for this.
3) Work in cash (ie pay bills with giros and don't shop with your card). Seriously all charges are caused by automated and card payments. If you work in cash you will never go into unauthorised overdraft.
4) Shop around. There are bank accounts that work in a different way that might be better if you are constantly getting charged. PM me if you wish and I will explain.
The bottom line is it's not the bank that takes you into unauthorised overdraft. It's things you set up like direct debits and using a card when there's no money in the account that do. As for cheques...it depends on where the cheque is drawn and what type of account it's paid into. Cheques are not cleared in 3 days but the funds might be made available in 3 days. Certainty of fate takes longer. Request a copy of your terms and conditions - it will tell you how long it is until cheques are made available.
RE charge refunds. Contact your bank first. Go and speak to them. Every time you get a charge it affects your credit rating which will ultimately make it harder to switch to another bank.....but they all work in a similar way anyway. If your account is kept within it's terms and conditions (no-one ever reads them) then the bank won't charge you.
None of the above is meant to be harsh....is just factual not my personal thoughts.
Finally, please don't get to mad at branch staff and 'glorified clerks' as someone has so nicely put it (yeah thanks for that). We don't make the rules. Explain your feelings and your complaint will be dealt with through the correct channels.
