The bank charged me fees I never agreed to — what are my rights?
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
You have a right to full, upfront disclosure of every fee. RA 11765 (Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act) requires financial providers to disclose the true cost of a product — all fees and charges — before you avail of it, and the BSP's implementing rules (Circular No. 1160) build transparency into the standards of conduct. For credit and loans, the Truth in Lending Act (RA 3765) separately requires that finance charges be disclosed in writing. A fee that was never disclosed or agreed can be questioned and reversed: complain to the bank in writing, demand a reversal, and escalate to the BSP if it refuses.
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Frequently asked
What counts as an undisclosed fee?
Any charge — maintenance, dormancy, processing, penalty, or service fee — that was not clearly stated in the terms you agreed to or in the pre-availment disclosure. Fees buried after the fact, or applied without notice, are the ones you can most strongly contest.
How do I get it reversed?
Write to the bank, identify the exact fee, date, and amount, state that it was never disclosed or agreed, and demand reversal under RA 11765 and (for loans) RA 3765. Keep the reference number and their written reply.
What if the bank says the fee is in the fine print?
Disclosure must be clear and given before you avail — not merely buried in fine print. If the bank cannot show you agreed to a properly disclosed fee, raise it with the BSP through its Consumer Assistance Mechanism.
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