Finally Justice against Halifax C Card.!!

Cabby77

Hi All,

My first post here, and I apologise now, but its a long one..!! I joined specifically to share this post to anyone in a similar situation.....

In May I had my Credit Card scammed at my local Indian Restaurant (I know this as its the first and only place I used my new card - as the old one had expired.!) - and I have later found out its Scarily easy to do - will post another thread explaining how!!!!

initially, the CC company were great. called me up, advised me ( I was blissfully unaware my card had been scammed) and explained very well what will happen etc, cancelled my old account, set up a new one instantly etc...

was great...!!! until I received a letter saying I missed a payment on my OLD CANCELLED account... I was informed at the time of the fraud my old card, account etc will be closed, and will be unable to access it (which was right, i couldn't get to it online)

the letter was one of them strongly worded ones saying I am overdue, my account is in arrears, your credit score will be affected etc....

when I called them up, and explained I was advised I was unable to make any transactions, payments or view account etc, tehy told me that it was silly of me to think I couldn't nmake a payment - even though the account was closed!! however they would refund the late payment charge, but my credit history would NOT change - i.e would still reflect a late payment mark..
I didn't think this was at all fair as the ONLY reason I didn't make a payment was because I was waiting for new account details - who would go into a bank and pay a sum of money into an account that you have been advised has been closed down....???

after a couple of letters, they were insistant that they were unable to change my credit score as its a factual record, and it was in fact, true that there was a late payment - be it my fault or not... :mad:

FINALLY - after several complaint letters, phone calls etc, I get a letter out of the blue advising magically my credit score had been corrected.....

so, the Moral of the story is... DON'T let the big boys bully you. if you think they are wrong. don't let it lie.........

exel1966

I understand you cancelled your old card and couldn't access it online due the problems, but what made you think you didn't need to pay your account on time if there was still a balance due ? New cards are always linked to old and the statement dates would not neccessarily change. Your ACCOUNT was not closed, only the old card was cancelled, the account remains open, but with a differently numbered card.

Could you not have just contacted them by phone and asked when the next payment was due and paid it over the phone/at the counter/by post ?

I think some of your problem was probably compounded by your own lack of awareness and action, though I am glad you have your late payment removed from your credit file.

Paul_Herring

It would appear that the only thing they did wrong was allow you to continue thinking that a 'closed card' meant 'closed account' and that it was not possible to pay into the account that the card related to.

I take it you don't have a direct debit in place for at least the mininum amount? I suggest you get one to stop you misunderstanding Halifax (or any other CC provider) again.

Cabby77

no, was not a mis understanding.

I was specifically informed that the ACCOUNT was closed...

Luckily I called form work, where the calls were recorded. pulled the call record off and re listed for my own sanity...

this is how I got them to back down and correct the credit file....

exel1966

OK, in that case you were mis-informed, nothing new in that, it happens far too often from poorly trained CSA's, but in reality that's not how it happens as above explains.
You weren't to know that, which is fair enough and you can't be blamed for that, but it still doesn't relieve you of your responsibility to pay your account on time or at least enquire about how to make a payment. Did you think the balance would be written off ?