Barclaycard £70 card protection rip-off

GeordieSteve_2

I have a barclaycard platinum card which I paid off over 2 years ago. The card has been unused and carried a zero balance ever since.

In July I got a statement saying I'd missed a payment and owed £83.

Checking online I found I'd had a £70 charge for card protection applied to my account, then £12 late payment fee and £1 interest!

I sent a secure email making my case that I do not use the card, I never take out protection on my cards, and certainly wouldn't want protection on a card with no balance and no account activity in 2 years.

The response I got said I'd get a reply by 8 August.

In the meantime a month has rolled on and I now owe a further £13 in charges.

I am now getting calls asking for a payment of at least £15 to prevent action being taken.

When I told the latest one tonight I'm awaiting a decision about the disputed £96 charges she told me the £70 is a payment made to another company and has nothing to do with barclaycard!

She gave me the number of the 'other' company. Guess who? Yes, barclaycard card protection.

So, two sides of barclaycard are after my money for a service I know nothing about and never asked for.

They have until the 8th to reply, but I can see this spiraling out of control.

Anyone had a similar experience or got any advice?

steve

YorkshireBoy

GeordieSteve wrote: »

Anyone...got any advice?

Make an official complaint...

http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/personal-home/customer-service/complaints/index.html

GeordieSteve_2

Thanks for that - looks like that's what I did. They are due to reply to my secure mail by 8 August. This will be the 28 days referred to following your link.

Pity they are still pursuing me in the meantime. Suppose they have to really. But a lighter touch would help. Really didn't like the way the call centre operator tried to fob me off saying barclaycard had paid this £70 to another company and my complaint was with the other company, and would I pay towards my bill.

Roll on 8 August.

steve

DestroyingAngel_2

Could it be an auto-renewal issue, where you had card protection in the past and never cancelled it? I know with CPP its £29 for 1 year or £70 for 3 years; not sure what Barclaycard charge but £70 would appear to be in the 3-year policy bracket. This would fit with your reckoning that you hadn't used the card for the past 2 years ... 3 years has passed since you first purchased card protection, and it's been renewed automatically. I'm pretty sure if you check your Barclaycard statements from 3 years ago you're likely to find the initial payment of £70.

andersoc

I had exactly the same problem. I phoned CPP who were actually quite helpful, refunded the fee and sent me a confirmation letter. They must be scared with certain consumer action groups winning refunds :money:

Careful though, as Barclays will still pursue you for the late payment fee. A particular line which worked on the phone and may work for you:

'How many transactions have I made in the last year?'
'None sir'
'And before that?'
'I can't see any transactions as far back as I can go'
'And you really think I'd order card protection on a card I've never used?'
'Good point, I'll refund the fees'

There may be a final hurdle: an affected credit rating due to the late payments. Don't take the call centre staff's word on this, I asked them 3 times if my rating would be affected and they said 'No'. Lies. Sounds like you're off to a good start with written communication! Let us know how it goes

C

GeordieSteve_2

Thanks for the responses guys.

First off, I have never asked for card protection on any of the cards I've had - dead money to me. So am shocked at this £70 which sounds like a 3 year 'renewal'. A renewal of a service I never asked for, and never new I had - if indeed that's what it is.

Anyway, not had my answer by the 8th yet, but I did get threatened by letter with 'Mercury Debt Collectors' today.

Very understanding BC - thanks a bundle!

steve

nomoneytoday

CPP and Sentinel both charge around £70. However, they should have sent you a renewal letter first. Have you moved address or thrown away "junk" mail recently?

This £70 is normally a continuous credit payment using the same details as 3 years ago...

GeordieSteve_2

Well, if this £70 is a renewal, it's a renewal of something I never asked for, would never buy, and didn't know I had!

Today is the 8th and no news. Will write again Monday and try to prevent the baliffs!

pandapaws

What a bunch of sharks - good luck!

olly300

GeordieSteve wrote: »

Well, if this £70 is a renewal, it's a renewal of something I never asked for, would never buy, and didn't know I had!

Today is the 8th and no news. Will write again Monday and try to prevent the baliffs!

When you write again at the end of your letter state that if the matter is not sorted out within 4 weeks you will refer them to the financial ombudsman.

Then after another month if they don't write back to you make a complaint to the financial ombudsman service.

GeordieSteve_2

Got a letter today saying they are still investigating - and giving themselves another month to try to resolve it.

Looks like I have to contact them and try to stop them taking debt collection action in the meantime!