Lawsuit against Berliner Sparkasse: Customers could demand money back

Lawsuit against Berliner Sparkasse: Customers could demand money back

Berliner Sparkasse suffered a defeat in court after consumer advocates sued against unannounced cost increases. The court ruled in favor of the customers, giving them the opportunity to get a refund.

Savings bank customers usually pay a monthly account management fee, which may incur additional costs for transfers or account statements. Due to fee increases without customer information in the past, Berliner Sparkasse was sued by the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations. The court ruling found that the savings bank was not allowed to introduce or increase costs without the consent of customers.

The Chamber Court in Berlin confirmed the view of the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations and allows customers potential refunds as soon as the judgment becomes final. Berliner Sparkasse had increased the costs several times without obtaining active consent from customers, which led to a class action lawsuit by around 1,200 customers. Although the court assumes that the claims are time-barred, consumer advocates are considering an appeal.

The ruling could also affect other bank customers who are affected by unlawful cost increases. Various banks, including Postbank, Deutsche Bank, ING Diba, Commerzbank and Sparkasse Ulm, have made similar increases to their accounts. Customers should check their statements from January 2018 to determine whether they are entitled to a refund.

Niels Nauhauser from the Baden-Württemberg consumer advice center explained that the fee increases of the last few years were invalid and that customers were therefore entitled to claim back the overpaid money from their bank or savings bank. The consumer advice center provides a sample letter that customers can use to make their refund claims.