How do I close my Egg card?

thriftymanc

Does anyone have the correct address I need to write to in order to cancel my Egg card and close my account completely?

I sent off two letters already. I called and asked for an address both times. The first address I was given turned out to be the address for closing a savings account or something irrelevant, the second address didn't reply, I have no idea where the letter went but the card's still active! The balance is zero and it hasn't been used for almost a year, I just want it shutting.

I called again today but their helpline is useless, this time the woman I spoke to just didn't understand what I was asking, I'm too frustrated to call them a fourth time!

Thanks in advance.

_Andy_

If I remember correctly I just emailed / secure messaged them and asked for it to be closed.

YorkshireBoy

When you say "the card's still active", what are you basing this on? If it's simply that you can still log on and view the account then that's normal. I believe your access will continue for around 12 months after you close the account.

Anyway, to answer your specific question; you should refer to your account conditions...

http://new.egg.com/visitor/0,,3_11087--View_1068,00.html (see condition 20.1)

MoneyMuppet_2

ok, send your letter to

Egg card services
Riverside Rd
Pride Park
Derby
DE99 3GG

If you have any subscriptions monthly or annual taken from the card these will need to be contacted and CANCELLED separately (and this now goes for most credit card providers) as they cannot cancel a subscrition themselves and these will keep your card open.

In the event that you've recently paid off your balance, keep your Direct Debit in place for the next month or so and keep an eye on your statements to make sure its all cleared and closed.

If you have any cash interest this can take up to two statements to finish being paid off as its charged at a higher rate.

hope that helps?

Mr_K

A written instruction to them by email or mail should be sufficient and you should expect written confirmation of your instruction back.

However it depends what you mean by 'closed'. My old Egg card account remained on my online accounts for years, this was annoying but they removed when I queried it. However when their online banking got upgraded it reappeared (!!)

I think they will suspend your account but will keep details just in case there are any more charges to the card that they don't want to be held liable for. I think this is true of all credit card companies, certainly I had the same problem with the Halifax and Citi trying to get them close online card accounts. This is why continuos credit card payments to a company are dangerous, closing your card won't stop them.

IMHO it is sharp practice to keep your details and surely they must be abusing some data protection law but they all do it (presumably they'll give security/fraud/credit worthiness reasons as a an excuse)

lisyloo

IMHO it is sharp practice to keep your details

I once had an issue with an electrical item and used an Egg statement for proof of purcharse to get a replacement from the retailer.

I do not think it's cynical or useless to have access to your account.

If you do not keep receipts for absolutely everything then it might be useful.

Mr_K

Sorry lisyloo, don't agree.
If you ask or are content for an organisation to keep hold of your details fair enough.
However of you don't owe them anything and you ask them to get rid of all your details then they should do so.

YorkshireBoy

Mr_K wrote: »

However of you don't owe them anything and you ask them to get rid of all your details then they should do so.

They won't do that, due to the possibility of the customer having set up CPA's on the account (see post #4)...at least until the 'statute of limitation' period of 6 years has elapsed.

And anyway, you agreed they could keep your details (as necessary and required) when you signed the credit agreement.

lisyloo

However of you don't owe them anything and you ask them to get rid of all your details then they should do so.

Can you clarify whether that is jsut a personal view or are you stating that as a legal fact.
If it's a legal statement then can we have a link or reference to the statute or act.

As the previous poster said they have 6 years to chase you for debt.
If you don't want them keeping your details then easy, don't give them out and pay cash.

You will however find it quite difficult to book a hotel or get car hire.

Mr_K

lisyloo wrote: »

Can you clarify whether that is jsut a personal view or are you stating that as a legal fact.
If it's a legal statement then can we have a link or reference to the statute or act.

As the previous poster said they have 6 years to chase you for debt.
If you don't want them keeping your details then easy, don't give them out and pay cash.

The Data Protection Act states that your details should be kept no longer than necessary. If you have no debt with them, and they have properly closed your account, so no more debt should be incurred/authorised, they have no business hanging onto your details.
The big problem is people think these accounts are closed so no longer have to worry about them. What if you move house ? Should you also inform companies that you've closed accounts that you've moved ? Having your details on too many databases is not healthy these days.

lisyloo

and they have properly closed your account, so no more debt should be incurred/authorised

It certainly can be if you have set up a continous payment authority (for car insurance, home insurance, RAC etc).
Cancelling the card does not stop these payments going through so pretty much in all cases debt COULD be incurred.

Should you also inform companies that you've closed accounts that you've moved ?

Personally I wouldn't but I'm fairly organised and I would not have any continous card authorites hanging about that I'd forgotten about.

Having your details on too many databases is not healthy these days.

Totally agree, but I suspect that the card issuers intepretation of what you have said about the DPA is that they DO require your details for any debt that is incurred after closing the account.

Just to be absolutely clear. Debt can be incurred after you close the account and there is nothing the card issuer can do.
e.g. if you have authorised RAC to take an amount on an annual basis, then the card issuer has no option but to pay it and closing the account makes no difference.