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.

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.