Less reputable I may be, but I also distinctly and 100% remember from a radio 4 programme (probably The Money Programme) that you would be able to claim retrospective reimbursements (for amounts above 12 quid) for charges made in the last x years. I think x was 6, but I'm not totally clear about that.

The point they seem to be missing is that the contract, which you did indeed sign, has been deemed ILLEGAL. So yes, you signed, but now they have to reimburse you some because their charges were unreasonable and the law says so: "Charges for late payments on credit cards, typically £20-£25, were yesterday declared illegal by the Office of Fair Trading, which ordered banks to slash fees to a maximum of £12 - and cut charges for bounced cheques and unauthorised overdrafts to similar levels. The ruling sent shockwaves through the banking industry, which earns £2bn in revenue from penalty charges, and wiped millions off the value of shares in Britain's high street banks."

So do some research, and write them a letter quoting your references and asking them to comply.

If they still don't play ball, write to the banking ombudsman.

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