Consumers have been urged to challenge bank charges that are “disproportionate” and “unfair” by Emma Bandey of Which? magazine.

Her call follows last week’s announcement by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that credit card charges must halve or the providers face prosecution. Ray Hall of OFT said: “The default charges they are setting are unfair and have been set at too high a level.”

Financial adviser Martin Cunningham said: “Many credit card providers have been getting away with exorbitant charges for years and it’s about time consumers had more power of redress in the matter. People must challenge the card providers.”

Joanna Elson of the British Bankers’ Association said: “We think our charges are fair and legal and we’re rather perplexed by OFT’s comments.”