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Court ruling confirms: Customers could demand thousands of euros back from their bank
Find out how you can get your bank fees back. Important information about current court rulings and claims against banks and savings banks. Find out whether you are also affected! #Bank Fees #Repayment #Court Ruling
Court ruling confirms: Customers could demand thousands of euros back from their bank
Sparkasse customers usually have to pay a monthly account management fee. There are also occasionally fees for transfers or account statements. In the past, savings banks have increased individual fees without fully informing customers and obtaining their consent. The Federal Court of Justice declared such an approach to be unlawful in 2021. In a new ruling, the Berlin Court of Appeal has now confirmed this ruling, with far-reaching consequences.
The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations had filed a lawsuit against Sparkasse Berlin because the financial institution had increased certain fees without the consent of customers. The savings bank unilaterally increased the monthly fee for the “Comfort checking account” by three euros without obtaining customer consent. The court case found the price increases were ineffective and customers were entitled to a refund.
Not only Sparkasse customers are affected, but also customers of other banks. For example, Postbank increased the monthly fee for the Giro Plus account, Deutsche Bank increased the fees for various accounts, ING Diba introduced a monthly fee for the checking account for the first time, Commerzbank increased the fees for the Premium account, and Sparkasse Ulm increased the fees for the checking account. Customers who pay higher fees since January 1, 2018 will be entitled to a refund once the ruling becomes final.
To get the overpaid fees back from the bank, customers should check their bank statements from previous years and see if they are entitled to a refund. A sample letter from the consumer advice center can help you claim the money back. It is recommended that the sample letter be sent as registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt. Customers should compare the account management fees on their account statements between January 2018 and the current month and claim the difference. It is important to take into account the fee increases since January 2018 in order to correctly calculate the money to be claimed back.