Complaint Letter to Bank for Unfair Charges
Unexpected fees, duplicate charges, or service fees you were never told about - banks are not infallible. When phone calls to customer service have not resolved the issue, a formal written complaint creates the documentation you need and signals that you are prepared to escalate.
Why a Formal Letter Works
- Dated documentation - Creates an official record of your complaint
- Structured and clear - Shows you have organized your case professionally
- Deadline-based - Sets a specific timeframe for the bank to respond
- Escalation-ready - OBSI and FCAC require documentation of your attempts to resolve directly
- Paper trail - Evidence if you need to take further action
Banks have internal complaint processes they must follow. A formal letter triggers that process and creates accountability.
Example Snippet
Preview only - not a complete template
"I am writing to formally dispute charges on my account ending in [XXXX]. On [date], I was charged $[amount] for [fee description]. I believe this charge is unfair because [reason - e.g., I was not informed of this fee, the fee contradicts what I was told when opening the account].
I am requesting a full refund of $[amount] and ask that you respond within 14 business days..."
What to Do Next If Ignored
- Wait for your deadline - Give the bank the full 14 business days you specified
- Send a follow-up - Reference your original letter if no response (see: Second Complaint Letter)
- Escalate to OBSI - If unresolved after 90 days, or if you receive an unsatisfactory final response
- File with FCAC - The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada handles complaints about banks violating consumer protection rules
General guidance only. This is not legal or financial advice.
Generate a Formal Letter (Free Preview)
Our tool creates an escalation-ready complaint letter tailored to your bank dispute.
Create Your Letter NowInformation is used only to generate your document and is automatically deleted.