Cost of going overdrawn is a case for the ombudsman

I used my debit card to pay £84 for some colonic irrigation at Health Avenues­ clinic in Harborne,­ Birmingham. I always know exactly how much I have in my bank account and I never exceed my agreed overdraft. A few weeks later, I realised there was a serious­ problem with my Halifax account – 14 bank charges of £35 each had been imposed, almost £500. The problem stems from Health Avenues taking my £84 twice. The consequences have been left for me to sort out. PH, Edgbaston If ever there was a case to demonstrate the vicious consequences of going slightly over an agreed overdraft, then this is it. Halifax was very happy to rake in the bank charges after your account­ went into the red. I have seen your statements and you have always managed your finances meticulously.­ It is not clear if the double payment was a result of a faulty machine or something else, but one thing is for sure – it wasn't your fault. I have tried speaking to Liz O'Sullivan, the proprietor of the clinic, but she will not discuss the matter, telling me: "I don't trust you" and then hung up. This is a case for the Financial Ombudsman­ Service. Reimbursement of the £84 overpayment and just one of the £35 bank charges by O'Sullivan simply isn't good enough. Steve Playle is team leader at Surrey Trading Standards Service.