Sample 'Unfair Charges' Letters

To view copies of the sample letter templates you can edit click on the links below. We have provided each letter in Word, OpenOffice and RTF format.

Letter 1 - Request Your Details

You can claim up to six years' worth of charges. If you don't have the statements, use this letter to ask your bank for a list of charges.

Letter 1 Word (.doc)
Letter 1 RTF (.rtf)
Letter 1 OpenOffice (.odt)

Letter 2 - Ask For Your Money Back

With the information from letter 1, add up your charges. You can reclaim one-off charges for going into the red, monthly or daily charges for being overdrawn, charges for bouncing cheques, direct debits or transactions and charges for authorising a payment. Add to this total any interest charged on unauthorised overdrafts and send this letter.

Letter 2 Word (.doc)
Letter 2 RTF (.rtf)
Letter 2 OpenOffice (.odt)

Letter 3 - Don't Back Down

Keep copies of all letters you send and make a note of the date you send it. Most banks will probably offer you a partial refund. This may be one charge - as a matter of goodwill - or sometimes half the amount you have demanded. Do not accpet this. Send them this letter instead.

Letter 3 Word (.doc)
Letter 3 RTF (.rtf)
Letter 3 OpenOffice (.odt)

Letter 4 - Take Them To Court

If your bank still refuses to pay up, take them to court. Don't worry, only two cases exist of a bank defending a case in court. Fill in a form at the website www.moneyclaim.gov.uk and submit it online or visit your local magistrate's court to begin proceedings. This will cost you a small percentage of your claim, but you'll get your costs back if you win. Under the Particulars of Claim section on the form, use this letter to outline your case.

Letter 4 Word (.doc)
Letter 4 RTF (.rtf)
Letter 4 OpenOffice (.odt)