What steps can I take if my bank continues to debit fees despite termination?
March 2, 2022 | 55,00 EUR | answered by Alwin Reuter
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am reaching out to you as I have found myself in an unpleasant situation with my bank and urgently need advice. Last October, I cancelled my current account with Bank XYZ as I switched to another bank. Despite the cancellation, I am still being charged monthly fees from my account up to now. I have tried to resolve the issue by contacting my bank advisor over the phone several times, but without success. I am concerned that the bank will continue to make unauthorized withdrawals and would like to know what steps I can take to recover my money and ensure that no further withdrawals occur.
I have already submitted all relevant documents for closing my account and the cancellation was confirmed in writing. However, it seems that the bank has not stopped the withdrawals. I fear that I will suffer financial losses as a result and therefore would like to find a solution to this problem as soon as possible.
Could you please advise me on the specific legal steps I can take to stop the unauthorized withdrawals and recover my money? Are there any deadlines I need to be aware of? Should I involve a lawyer or are there other ways to get in touch with the bank and find a resolution?
Thank you in advance for your assistance, and I am available for further information if needed.
Yours sincerely,
Wanda Fuchs
Dear Mrs. Fuchs,
thank you for your inquiry regarding the unauthorized debits from your former checking account at Bank XYZ. It is understandable that you are concerned and want to find a quick solution to this problem. In such cases, it is important to know the legal steps to take in order to recover your money and stop further debits.
First and foremost, it is important to verify if the debits are indeed unauthorized or if there is a misunderstanding. You have already submitted all relevant documentation for the account closure and the termination has been confirmed in writing. In this case, the debits should actually be stopped.
Since you have already attempted to resolve the issue over the phone with your bank advisor without success, I recommend contacting the bank in writing. Send a letter or an email to the bank, reminding them of the termination and requesting the cessation of the debits. It is best to include copies of all relevant documents to support your position.
If the bank continues to make unauthorized debits, you can take legal action. You have the right to reverse the direct debits and reclaim your money. It is important to adhere to the legal deadlines. Usually, you have eight weeks to reverse a direct debit. If the debits are from a while ago, reclaiming the funds may become more challenging due to statutory limitations.
If the bank still does not respond and the situation cannot be resolved, I recommend seeking legal advice. A specialized attorney in banking law can help you enforce your claims against the bank and recover your money.
I hope my response has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Alwin Reuter
