YOU could be one of the millions unknowingly paying hefty overdraft fees.

One in five current account customers go overdrawn by an average of £697 each day, according to research by TotallyMoney.

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Thousands of people can claim back “unaffordable” charges from their bank[/caption]

An overdraft allows you to spend money or withdraw cash even when your account balance drops below £0.

However, this convenience often comes at a cost, as banks typically charge interest on the overdrawn amount.

The interest rate applied varies depending on your account type and an “affordability check,” which assesses your credit history.

Rates can range from 14.99% to a steep 49.9%, with the most favourable terms reserved for those with excellent credit scores.

As a result, millions of account holders find themselves owing thousands of pounds and stuck in persistent debt, as there is currently no cap on the amount banks can charge.

If you’ve been in the red for a long time, or can’t afford the overdraft, you may be able to claim a refund of charges.

Sara Williams, founder of advice website Debt Camel, says: “Anyone who is in their overdraft for most or all days of the month may be able to win an overdraft affordability complaint against their bank if this has been going on for more than a year.

“If you win the complaint you could get a refund of the interest and charges you have paid.”

You may also have grounds to claim if you informed your bank that you were struggling with repayments and they failed to offer support, or if they increased your overdraft to an unaffordable level.

Unfortunately, some customers spiral into deeper debt when banks fail to identify warning signs of financial difficulty.

For instance, lenders may overlook red flags such as falling income, rising expenses, rejected direct debits, or high credit card payments.

The financial regulator requires banks to assist customers struggling with debt.

With the wealth of financial data banks hold on their customers, they should be proactive in offering support to those in need.

So, if you believe you’ve been unfairly overcharged, you may be able to claim back the money.

The Debt Camel website has a whole page dedicated to explaining how to reclaim these unfair charges and we’ve summarised the key points below.

How do I know if I’ve been unfairly charged?

There are three different reasons that overdraft fees could be deemed “unfair”. These are:

1. The bank charges have caused you financial hardship

Lenders have a responsibility to treat you fairly if you’re struggling financially to stop you from being pushed further into debt.

So if you’re in financial hardship, it should be doing all it can to help you get back on your feet rather than making the situation worse.

Sara said that an example of financial hardship includes those that are in their overdraft for all or most of the month for a prolonged period.

The Lending Code defines hardcore borrowing as “the position where a customer’s current account overdraft remains persistently overdrawn for more than a month without returning to credit during that period.”

And according to the FCA, you’re also considered to be in financial hardship if:

• You’re failing to pay the minimum repayments on borrowed cash
• You have damaging marks on your credit file.
• Most of your income is going towards paying off the debt and you may have had to take out a loan to help pay for them.
• You’ve taken out a Debt Management Plan (DMP) or other debt solution.
• You’ve been talking to a firm, such as a charity, about taking out a debt management plan or how to get help.

You’ll also need to be able to back up each point with proof, such as letters and copies of your credit history or file.

2. You asked for help from your bank but they didn’t offer you anything

If you were struggling to keep up with repayments and asked your bank for help and it didn’t offer you anything, then any subsequent charges may be unfair.

Reasons for not keeping up with the repayments include mental health problems, losing your job or taking maternity leave.

The bank should have realised that you’re in a vulnerable position and offered help.

You will need to provide proof that you spoke to your bank, what you told them and that they didn’t help you.

3. Your bank increased your limit to an unaffordable level

You may also be able to argue that you were unfairly lent to if your bank upped your overdraft without you asking and you ended up with charges that you can’t keep up with.

It doesn’t matter if you asked for your limit to be increased or if the bank just offered you an increase.

In either case, the bank should have reviewed your situation before increasing the limit, according to Sara Williams.

How do I reclaim the charges?

First, complain to your bank and say you were in financial hardship.

You do not need to know the exact dates that your limit was increased before complaining.

Banks will normally only look at complaints going back six years.

Gather proof of your situation, such as a copy of your credit file — it may show red flags proving you were in difficulty — missing payments — or that your overdraft was not affordable.

You can find a template letter, and a full guide for making a claim, at debcamel.co.uk/get-refund-overdraft.

Your lender has eight weeks to respond.

They may offer you a refund you are very happy to accept, or only refund the last year, even though your overdraft has caused you a lot of problems for a long while.

If your lender rejects your complaint or you’re not happy with what it offers, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service for free, within six months of getting the letter from your bank.

Sara Williams said “This is easy – the Ombudsman has a simple online form you can use.

“But you must do this within six months of getting the decision from the bank, so don’t delay.”

How can I borrow money cheaply?

Depending on individual circumstances, some borrowers may find it more cost-effective to use alternatives to an overdraft, such as a credit card with a 0% interest period.

These credit cards allow you to move more expensive debts you already owe on to a new card, and you won’t pay interest on this amount for a set period.

For example, Barclaycard is currently offering no interest for up to 32 months on its balance transfer cards.

Some people may also have savings they could turn to, rather than to help clear their debt.

Ideally, you will have built up an emergency fund which you can dip into — but sometimes that just isn’t possible.

Before you borrow cash, do your research and find out the cheapest option for you.

And remember to speak to your bank as lenders must help if you’re in financial difficulty.

If you are looking for a cheaper way to borrow, it’s also worth considering a loan from a credit union.

They are a much cheaper alternative to payday loans, and some can even get cash to you on the same day.

The interest rate offered on these loans is substantially lower than that offered on a credit card or overdraft.

Interest ranges from 12.7% APR (1% a month) to a maximum capped rate of 42.6% APR (3.5% a month).

KEEPING condensation and mould at bay during winter in your home is a full on job. 

But there are some easy and cheap ways to stay on top of it during the cold winter months. 

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Keeping on top of mould can feel like a full-time job but our tips can help[/caption]

Aneesa Khan from VonHaus told The Sun: “We’ve all been there – waking up on a cold morning, pulling back the curtains and being greeted by water on your windows. This is one of those small annoyances of daily life.”

While you might be tempted to ignore this, you need to take action.

Aneesa said: “If left unchecked, condensation could lead to bigger problems, such as damaged paintwork – or the growth of mould.”

Not only is that black fuzz unsightly and difficult to shift without careful treatment, it can also cause health issues such as skin rashes and respiratory conditions. 

What’s more, as mould thrives in damp conditions, problems can get exacerbated during the winter. This can mean that toxic fuzz is a real scourge right now.

So what can you do to keep condensation at bay?

Bowl of rock salt

This old-school hack involves placing a bowl of salt on the windowsill to absorb moisture from the air.

Aneesa said: “Salt is ‘hygroscopic’, meaning it attracts water molecules.”

While you can use ordinary table salt – which you can buy at Asda for 65p – you may find that more ‘industrial’ rock salt works better.

This isn’t intended for consumption and is typically used as a de-icer. You can buy a 15kg bag for £8 on Amazon. 

Aneesa added: “Just bear in mind its effectiveness is limited by the amount of moisture it can absorb before becoming saturated.”

Cat litter in a sock

This pet product might seem an unconventional way of tackling a condensation problem, but can be surprisingly effective, according to Aneesa. 

She said: “Silica gel-based cat litter is particularly good because it’s designed to absorb liquids, making it capable of pulling moisture from the air.”

At Wilko, you can pick up a 3.8 litre bag for £3.49.

Aneesa said: “Simply put some into a container, such as an old sock or breathable bag, and place it in problem areas such as windowsills.

“While it’s not a permanent fix, it’s a clever and cost-effective way to reduce moisture build-up in the short term.”

Chalk and clove oil

Another technique you can try involves using an item you might already have at home in a kid’s arts-and-crafts box.

Aneesa said: “Chalk is another simple yet effective trick. Try placing it on windowsills or in other damp-prone areas to help soak up excess moisture in the air.”

If you need to buy some, you can purchase an eight-pack of giant chalk at B&M for £3.99.

Indoors living aficionado, Aneesa, added: “You can also pair this with clove oil to tackle any mould.”

This clever product has antifungal properties which can kill spores.

Aneesa said: “Not only does clove oil clean the affected area, but it is also considered a deterrent to prevent mould from coming back.”

At Boots, you can buy a 10ml bottle of the oil for £2.99. 

Shaving foam

One further hack to tackle condensation involves you rubbing a thin layer of this bathroom staple onto your window glass – and then buffing it off until clear.

The foam will create a protective film.

Aneesa said: “Shaving foam contains ‘surfactants’ which prevent water from clinging to surfaces, leaving your windows fog-free.”

For the best results, re-apply every few weeks. 

If you don’t have shaving foam to hand, then washing up liquid can be used in a similar way. 

Will they solve your mould and condensation issues?

While all of these hacks will work to some extent, you need to be aware that for homes with persistent condensation or mould problems, they are unlikely to offer a long-lasting fix. 

Aneesa said: “These low-cost tricks are worth a try, but if you want to address the root cause of the problem it’s worth thinking about investing in a more reliable solution.”

That’s where a dehumidifier might come into play.

Aneesa added: “These appliances are designed to suck moisture from your home and help maintain optimal indoor humidity levels of around 30-50%.”

While there is an upfront cost to consider, decent compact models – as we reported previously – can come in at under £35. 

Also bear in mind that if you end up needing to call in the professionals to deal with a mould problem, you might have to fork out around £300 per room, according to Checkatrade.

Find yourself with a particularly bad case and you could face a bill of around £1,200 to remove mould from your whole property.

When you factor this in, a dehumidifier feels like a sound investment.

In addition, there’s the health benefits, too, of reducing indoor humidity, particularly for those with asthma or allergies.

Other ways you can make use of your dehumidifier 

While you might assume a dehumidifier will end up sitting in a corner gathering dust when you’re not using it to deal with a damp problem, this need not be the case.

Aneesa said: “You can use your appliance to help laundry dry faster. Just set up a clothes rack, place the unit nearby, and close the door.

“The moisture gets whisked away, and your clothes dry faster without turning stiff as a board.”

Another clever use for one of these appliances is speeding up paint drying time.

The property pro said: “A dehumidifier can make the process quicker and easier. Pulling moisture from and helping the paint cure more evenly.”

You can even use your unit to help protect items in storage.

Aneesa said: “Excess moisture in storage spaces often leads to mould, mildew, and that dreaded musty smell. Run your dehumidifier in storage areas to keep the air dry and your belongings fresh.”

She added: “With a range of additional uses, this appliance can quietly earn its keep in your home.”

WE all love a dupe, especially when it lets you smell expensive on a budget.

From mimicking the scent to its lasting power, a perfume that rivals a designer one at half the price is definitely worth the investment.

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Shoppers are racing to Tesco to get their hands on a smelly new range[/caption]

And shoppers are raving about Tesco’s new beauty range, which has just launched and is said to be well worth checking out.

In fact, customers are flocking to their local stores to snap up the new perfume collection, which many claim smells just like far more expensive brands.

One beauty enthusiast, who goes by the name ‘newdupes’ on TikTok, revealed that Tesco’s Skin Saints range is a must-try.

They shared a video with the caption: “Omg, run to Tesco. Look at these perfumes.”

The TikTok user first showcased the Skin Saints Eau De Parfum Rouge (100ml), currently available for £8 – or £7 with a Tesco Clubcard.

The perfume is a “unique, luxurious fragrance featuring warm saffron and rich amber wood notes.”

They claim it smells just like Baccarat Rouge, a perfume that retails for £245.

And this TikTok account isn’t the only one to think so.

Heading to Tesco’s website to comment on the perfume, one shopper wrote: “I have tried this scent now, and it lasts a good few hours. 

“Reminds me of Baccarat Rouge / inspired by that fragrance. 

“You get a good spray when you use it and it’s a large amount of fragrance.

“I think that it’s defo worth the £8…saving you so much money from the original. 

“Ideal to wear as an intense scent. Perfect for date nights or if you like a warm scent with a hint of amber and floral. 

“More of a luxurious fragrance. The quality of the bottle lid is slightly harder to open so that’s why I have given it 4/5 stars. Overall pleased with the product.”

The Newdupes TikTok account also shared other scents that smell like designer ones, including Dior Savage. 

The video shared on TikTok gained over 17.6k likes, with 220 people rushing to the comments section. 

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Tesco perfume dupe compared to £245 Baccarat Rouge[/caption]

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Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum bottle[/caption]

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Skin Saints Passion Jasmine & Tonka perfume next to Carolina Herrera Good Girl perfume[/caption]

One wrote: “Wow, I’ve gotta try these.”

Whilst a second added: “Tesco’s trip after payday then.” 

And perfume isn’t the only beauty item that shoppers are racing for. 

If you’re a fan of the iconic Sol de Janeiro sprays but can’t quite justify spending £24 on a bottle of the viral favourite, don’t worry – you’re in the right place.  

Bargain hunters will be thrilled to hear that shoppers can now get their hands on brand-new Sol de Janeiro dupes – and they’re priced at just £4.75 each.  

Not only do they smell lovely, but at £19.25 less than the original, it’s no wonder these dupes have caused a stir online in recent years.  

The popular brand Sol de Janeiro has seen remarkable growth over the past couple of years, becoming a firm favourite among Gen Z.  

Inspired by Brazilian beach culture, the beauty brand is known for its sweet and floral scents that transport you straight to the sun-soaked summers of Brazil.  

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