charges for unused bank account

[_frances]

Hi there, i am looking into retrieving my bank charges from the bank of scotland for the past 5 years (being a student for first few years...i have had many!) I am writing to ask for advice for a slightly different matter..I also opened an account with the royal bank of scotland and opted for the gold account as i was advised this would help me in applying for a loan, this account would cost me 12.00 a month to keep. As i opened the account no money was put into it and therefore i was charged when the fee of 12.00 came round. I was silly not to sort this matter out and close the account and the months ticked away, i moved back home to my mother as money was tight...then i recieved a letter from debt collecters informing me i was required to pay 416.00. I have never put money into this account and have not taken a penny out of this bank. So far i managed to settle with the creditors to pay 300.00, which i paid 150.00 last month and am ment to pay another 150.00 to finish which was due 27/01/07. Is this also illegal foe banks to do?...can anyone help? I am reluctant to pay the creditors this last payment as would this close my access to claim if the matter is closed?
CAN ANYONE HELP? WOULD BE MUCH APPRIECIATED XX

[cheddar]

You have to pay the fees, but not the charges that have been made to your account. I think in this instance as the money you owe is made up partly of charges that you want to claim back then the amount is in dispute. And when this happens you cannot be persued for the debt. So you need to inform whoever it is chasing you for the money of this.

Then you need to start the process for claiming back charges and take it from there.

[cheddar]

Also if this is the same as the AG account with NatWest if you have opened this account within 90 days you can cancel it and ask for the fees back as you weren't happy with the account and have it downgraded back to a normal current account.

[_frances]

Thank you so much for your reply. Im still wavering as to pay this last 150.00 (the dept collecters - cap quest, want it by 31/01/07!) I did contact them informing them i was now in dispute of the ammount i owe but they informed me it was way to late and i had agreed to pay 300.00 and want the last payment, I did tell them i didnt sign anything although i did agree on the telephone as i was unaware of the bank charges issue at the time. This bank account was opened nearly a year ago. The person i spoke to at cap quest also informed me that i had also breached my contract as i didnt inform the bank of my new address....(yes, I got scared and went into hiding....oops!)

I really appreciate your advice x