Chamber court decides for consumer: Berliner Sparkasse has to pay back money

Chamber court decides for consumer: Berliner Sparkasse has to pay back money

The Berliner Sparkasse was in court because consumer advocates criticized unannounced cost increases. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, giving customers the opportunity to demand repayments. Berliner Sparkasse had increased account management fees without customers' consent, which was viewed as unlawful. This led to consumer advocates filing a class action lawsuit involving around 1,200 customers. Although statutes of limitations may apply, an appeal will be considered.

The ruling against Berliner Sparkasse could also have an impact on customers of other banks that used similar practices. Other financial institutions such as Postbank, Deutsche Bank, ING Diba, Commerzbank and Sparkasse Ulm could also be affected by customer claims. Customers are encouraged to check their bank statements since January 2018 and to contact their bank for repayments if they notice any increases in costs. The Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center confirms that past fee increases are legally ineffective and that customers can claim back the money they paid too much.

It emphasizes that the impact of the court ruling could be far-reaching and that bank customers should keep a close eye on developments in order to pursue potential repayment claims. Consumer advocates offer support and sample letters to make the refund process easier. Apparently, customers must independently check whether they were affected by the unlawful cost increases and act accordingly to secure financial claims.