AROUND 11,500 CUSTOMERS of Allied Irish Banks (AIB) are to be offered refunds totalling €3.1 million after discrepancies with insurance options on credit cards were discovered.

The bank said it is writing to customers to inform them of the refunds – which work out as €270 per customer on average – after it began a review of credit card accounts last year following feedback from customers.

The discrepancies relate to insurance options on credit cards and concern customers who inadvertently paid charges for payment protection plan, travel insurance and card protection.

People were sold these products and offered coverage when it was not clear whether or not they wanted it.

Some cases relate to customers ticking boxes which both accepted and declined the insurance and the bank not checking which option the customer wanted.

In other instances, customers who provided contradictory information on the application form relating to their employment status may be entitled to a refund as the bank did not clarify the circumstances of the customer.

Customers who have credit card accounts that were in arrears from June 2009 and were advised that their Payment Protection plan would be cancelled after two consecutive missed payments could also be in line for a refund.

The bank has apologised to the affected customers who will be issued with letters and refunds in the coming days.

The Central Bank is aware of the issue and it is now conducting a review into the sale of payment protection insurance.

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