Teenager says NatWest let her down over bank charges
TEENAGE carer Megan Turner says her bank failed to help her when she went overdrawn and now she faces a bill for hundreds of pounds.
The 19-year-old has had an account with NatWest in Cheltenham for five years and in 2007 opened a savings account with the firm.
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But Megan claims she wasn't advised that the regular monthly direct debit between the two accounts would still go out, even if she didn't have the money to honour it.
Last October Megan was shocked to realise she had gone overdrawn when she checked her statement and saw she had been charged twice, a total of £56.
When she visited the bank to try to resolve the situation, Megan says she was offered no help or guidance.
Unable to pay off the full amount, the Royal Crescent resident went back to the bank several times over the next few months with colleagues and a parent to try to sort out a payment scheme, but says bank staff denied her request.
The debt now stands at £251.07, which Megan says she cannot afford to pay.
NatWest has now threatened her with legal action and demanded her bank cards and cheque book back.
“I only found out when I went to the hole in the wall,” said Megan. “I went in there six times altogether and they gave me no help whatsoever.
“It was only the last time I went in with my step-dad that they gave me a number to ring to try and sort it out.
“I think because I was a young girl going in on my own to try and sort it out they just looked at me and didn't bother to help.
“I have had some quite threatening letters. It's upsetting that they say they are going to blacklist me because as far as I'm concerned I haven't done anything wrong.
“I think the charges are far too harsh, they're just ridiculous.”
A NatWest spokesperson said it was unable to discuss individual cases, but Megan's complaints would be investigated.
Megan spoke to the Echo after reading about Cheltenham student Laura Gibson, 20, who racked up £800 in charges from Lloyds TSB on an initial 8p overdraft.
Banks are set to rake in £1.3billion over the next six months after being allowed to continue levying punitive overdraft fees.
The City watchdog, the Financial Services Authority has allowed the banks to put the handling of complaints and refunds on hold until a High Court battle with the Office of Fair Trading continues.
18 Comments
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by bridge, gloucester
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 8:42PM
“louise from cheltenham haha well you've made it quite obvious that you don't wear makeup or follow fashion so god knows what you look like!! as a young girl of 19 its expected for her to follow fashion. Wearing make up and respectful, fashionable clothes is not the discussion...the discussion is about her getting charged several times, asking for help and not getting any, think you need to read the article again!!”
by Sarah, Gloucester
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 8:31PM
“For starters, for those of you who have made personal attacks on Megan, there is no need. Leave your comments by all means, after all everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it is not necessary to leave such nasty comments. Secondly, I know the story from a closer angle - the bank was contacted on a number of occassions where Megan was given no helpful feedback, and trading standards were also asked for advice. They advised that she write a letter and the bank manager failed to reply. All of this shows that Megan did all she could to sort out her repayments, but the lack of co-operation from Natwest has meant that her bank charges are unfairly rising. As for contacting the Echo, that was always a last resort. Megan has worked hard to get to where she is, and I can assure you that she is not one to spend her money in a wasteful manner.”
by Ben Turner, cheltenham
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 7:27PM
“you lot aint gotta clue do you no her NO u dont an in regards to u louise jealousy gets u no where what she does with her money is her business and if she wants 2 buy makeup then she can but u must be blind cos she werent wearing hardly any every penny she earns she works hard for so before you judge Think”
by Sarah, Gloucester
Tuesday, August 05 2008, 7:37AM
“The charges that banks are giving out are disgusting. Often it's the banks driving people into debt after they make one silly mistake.
It's up to the girl what she spends her money on, she's young and carefree so why shouldn't she follow fashion and have nice things whilst she is young and has no responsibilities? The banks shouldn't be able to do this to people. One charge should be enough, they shouldn't be able to keep putting charges on top of charges the way they do.
Banks are driving youngsters into debt before they even start out in life - how is it fair to prey on kids that have only just left school?
I do think that managing finances should be part of the GSCE curriculum though.”
by CC, Cheltenham
Monday, August 04 2008, 12:01PM
“So, she read about the other idiotic student getting let of her fines and thought she would try her luck did she??
If she didn't understand the direct debit system she should have read what she was signing.
No one to blame but herself here... (again)”