The Times - Woman sues bank for overdraft ‘harassment’

A single mother who says she had to take time off work because of the stress of a disputed overdraft is suing the Halifax for harassment.

Alison Turner, 31, claims that the bank bombarded her with letters and phone calls after it had agreed to leave her alone.

The Halifax had already agreed to drop £775 of charges after Ms Turner exceeded her overdraft limit. But the bank continued to chase her for payment.

Ms Turner, from Plymouth, claims that she received 33 letters and calls from the collections department, many of them early in the morning and at night. She says that the resulting stress caused her to become ill, and that she had to take time off from her job as a personal assistant.

She has started a civil case under the Protection From Harassment Act 1997, seeking an injunction against the bank and “substantial damages”.

Neil Mercer, her solicitor, said: “She had hundreds of pounds worth of charges put on her account for going a few pounds overdrawn. The bank subsequently agreed to remove the charges but in the interim period she was constantly harangued for money she no longer owed. It caused sleepless nights and great concern. There is absolutely no question that the bank’s conduct amounted to harassment.”

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