How can I protect my rights as a consumer if my bank charges unauthorized high fees?
June 1, 2023 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Alwin Reuter
Dear lawyer,
My name is Dirk Stricker and I have a problem with my bank. In the past few months, I have noticed that my bank has been charging me unauthorized high fees. I have checked my bank statements and found that I have been regularly charged fees that were not agreed upon in my contract. I am concerned that my bank is unlawfully taking money from me and I want to protect my rights as a consumer.
I have already tried to talk to my bank about this, but they keep rejecting my complaints and claiming that the fees are justified. I feel powerless as a consumer and do not know how to proceed against the bank.
Can you please help me and tell me what legal steps I can take to protect my rights as a consumer and reclaim the unauthorized high fees charged by my bank? Are there any specific laws or regulations that can support me in this case?
Thank you in advance for your help and I look forward to your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Dirk Stricker
Dear Dirk Stricker,
I understand your concern regarding the unreasonably high fees that your bank is charging you. It is important to protect your rights as a consumer and take action against unjustified fees. In your case, there are various legal steps you can take to challenge the bank and demand a refund of the unreasonably high fees.
First and foremost, it is important that you gather all relevant documents to support your complaint. This includes your bank statements, your contract with the bank, and any communication you have had with the bank. These documents are crucial to strengthen your argument and substantiate your claims.
As a consumer, you have legal rights that can support your case. For example, the Civil Code (BGB) in § 307 stipulates that unfair contract terms are invalid. If the fees charged by your bank were not contractually agreed upon and can be considered unreasonably high, you may challenge them based on this regulation.
Furthermore, you can rely on general consumer protection laws that strengthen your position as a consumer. These include, for example, consumer protection laws and laws against unfair competition. These laws are designed to protect consumers from unfair business practices and could help you take action against the bank.
To assert your claims, I recommend writing a formal complaint letter to the bank in which you detail your complaint and demand a refund of the unreasonably high fees. If the bank continues to reject your claim, you can seek advice from a consumer protection agency or a banking lawyer to discuss your legal options and potentially initiate legal proceedings.
I hope this information is helpful to you and that you are able to successfully challenge the unreasonably high fees charged by your bank. If you have any further questions or need legal assistance, I am at your disposal.
Best regards,
Alwin Reuter, Attorney at Law
