Despite widespread national media coverage about the banks’ dirty tricks to try and short-change the victims of excessive bank charges, the banks continue to come up with new and even more outrageous ways of denying customers their rights.
[UKPRwire, Thu Jun 28 2007] Despite widespread national media coverage about the banks’ dirty tricks to try and short-change the victims of excessive bank charges, the banks continue to come up with new and even more outrageous ways of denying customers their rights.
Ian Allison, corporate relations director for BrunelFranklin.com and Conkers.co.uk, said:
“First it was full and final settlement clauses, coupled with ridiculously low compensation offers. Then as recently as last week we saw the banks starting to introduce clauses preventing customers from claiming against any unfair charges in the future, and even the threat of downgrading banking services.
“We now have what we consider to be the worst case yet of a financial institution abusing its customers’ rights. In a letter received today by Conkers.co.uk from Norwich and Peterborough Building Society, the conclusion to the bank’s ‘offer’ letter gives the customer just 2 options:
1) Accept future charges
2) Close your account.
”Whilst there have been threats of this type of activity in the past, this is the first time we have seen a financial institution bold enough to not only put the threat in writing, but to make account closure one of only two options available, forming part of the terms and conditions of accepting the compensation offer.
”Clearly they are not expecting many people to agree to option 2), hence this is a deliberate attempt by the banks to railroad customers down the route of accepting future charges – no matter how unreasonable or excessive they may be.”
Take the 60 second test at Conkers.co.uk to let Conkers handle your bank charges refund claim for you. Conkers.co.uk takes 25% plus VAT of any successful claim, on a no-win-no-fee basis, with absolutely nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful. Visit Conkers.co.uk or call free on 0800 051 54 51 for further information.
