We're confident you will find completing the spreadsheet a simple process..

It is simply a case of taking the charges information, from your statements etc. and entering it one line at a time.

First a note about the layout of the spreadsheet...

The Yellow areas of the spreadsheet are for you to complete, the Green areas are calculated for you and the Blue column checks for any obvious completion errors.

Here we go...

1) Enter your Name, Account Number and Sort Code in the top boxes.

2) In the Annual O/D Interest Rate, you have two choices. If mostly the charges were for exceeding your overdraft limit, then enter the annual Unauthorised Borrowing rate in here, if they were mostly returned item charges, then enter the Standard Overdraft Interest rate. 

3) Next we enter the charges themselves in the table below. We have entered three sample entries for you. Please delete these before entering your own charges (Simply click on each box and press Delete on your keyboard)

4) Your own charges should be entered in date order, one entry per line, starting with the earliest date.

5) In the first column, enter the date of the charge.

6) Next enter the description from your statement. i.e. CHG - Overdraft Excess Fee, or CHG - Returned Item, or Interest Charged. (Remember you are entering the interest they have charged you, not any interest you have earned on your account.)

7) If the entry is a charge (O/D Excess or Returned Item), then enter the amount of the charge in the Charge Levied column.

8) If the entry is Interest, enter the amount in the Interest Charged column. (Do not enter charges and interest on the same line even if they were charged on the same day, each entry must have it's own line.)

9) The spreadsheet is designed for a maximum of 400 entries, any further entries will NOT be included in the totals. In this case, please seek support in our community forum.

10) If any of the lines are showing 'Error' in the errors column, then it is likely you have entered two amounts on the same line. Double check your entry on that line.

That's it...

The totals for each column are displayed in the green row, above the table.

You will notice the totals at the top of the screen are automatically calculating for you as you go along..

This is definitely the fun part, watching the amount you are reclaiming increase...  you may well have a surprise (or shock) at the end, when you discover just how much they have actually taken from you.

Once you have entered all of your charges, you have everyhting you need to request them back from your bank.

Reclaiming Your Charges - Choices, Choices...

By now, you have all your charge details, so you know precisely how much your bank have taken off you in penalty charges and like most of us were, you are probably surprised at just how much they have taken.

There are several routes available now to reclaim those charges, however, at present there are weekly changes in the status of claims, with the majority currently on hold pending the outcome of the test case between the Office of Fair Trading and the leading banks. 

As the status of these proceedings and claims are changing frequently, it is best to complete your claim with the assistance of our community forum. 

There are links to our community forum at the base of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What interest rates should I enter in the Annual O/D Interest Rate? 

To give you an idea, a typical rate for unauthorised borrowing would be 29.9% and a typical Standard Overdraft interest rate would be 16.9% however, these vary between banks so you must check the actual rates your own bank charge. Some banks don't even use a higher unauthorised borrowing rate, so it is important that you check.

They are usually confirmed in letters to you and they are also published on your banks website under Interest Rates.

If you are still unsure which rate to use, or cannot find the one for your bank, please post a question in our community forum.

What interest rates should I enter in the Interest Rate Claimed Box?

For now, you can leave this blank until you have made your decision in the next section. The amount you claim in here will be determined by how simple, or complex a claim you wish to pursue.

In essence, if the bank offer to refund you, without forcing you to issue a court claim, you will not recieve any interest, leave it blank.

If you have to issue a court claim, you will be entitled to claim 8% interest at court, so for now you will still leave it blank.

If you are prepared to issue an advanced claim and argue your case in court, you should enter the rate you wish to claim.

Our Community Forum: 

If you have any further questions on this part of your claim, there are many experienced members in our community who can advise you from their own experiences.

It only takes a moment to register and then you are free to browse the wealth of information in our community forums and post up any questions you have.

To join our online community forum and recieve direct support from other members, simply follow the Community, or Forum links in the main and top menu's.

If you're not already registered, then please take a moment to do so, there are no charges or fees to join our community and you will discover a wealth of support and information is available from the community.

You can register by clicking on Registration