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Successful lawsuit against Berliner Sparkasse: customers receive money back
Berliner Sparkasse loses in court - customers receive reimbursement for unannounced cost increases. Affected bank customers can now request money back. #Consumer protection #Account management fees #Repayment
Successful lawsuit against Berliner Sparkasse: customers receive money back
A verdict in favor of consumers was made when Berliner Sparkasse lost in court against unannounced cost increases that were challenged by the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv). The Court of Appeal ruled in favor of the customers, who are now entitled to refunds. The Berliner Sparkasse had increased the fees several times without obtaining the active consent of the customers, which was deemed inadmissible by the court.
The ruling could also impact customers of other banks that have made similar unlawful increases. Banks such as Postbank, Deutsche Bank, ING Diba, Commerzbank and Sparkasse Ulm could also be affected. Customers who experience increases in their account management fees between January 2018 and April 2024 may be eligible for a refund. The consumer advice center provides a sample letter that customers can send to their bank to request a refund.
Niels Nauhauser from the Baden-Württemberg Consumer Center in Stuttgart emphasized that the fee increases of recent years were ineffective and customers were entitled to demand their money back. It is advisable to check the bank's price list in effect when opening the account to determine whether an increase in costs was unlawful. Customers should take action and investigate possible claims for refunds in order to benefit from the rulings in favor of consumers.