Barclaycard causing me to get a 'black mark'

dalumsden1

Hi. I'm unsure if there is anything I can do or if this is indeed the right board.

I got a student credit card as a way to start improving on my credit score whilst at university.
The problem happened just a few days ago. I had paid off my full debt to Barclaycard within 5 days of a variable direct debit. 2 days ago the full amount left my bank yet again to Barclaycard, thus puting me over my agreed student overdraft.

I immediately, when I noticed the day after, paid off the fines and amount to bring me back within my overdraft limit.

All was ok, except I have now been given a black mark according to my bank and they are saying they will take away my whole overdraft at the start of January.

1st. Am I in the wrong in thinking that Barclayard shouldn't take away money that I've already paid?
2nd. How can I persuade my bank that 1 little blip shouldn't mean my whole overdraft is removed. It's my lifeline.

Any help and advice is much appreciated.

jonnyb

most card companies have t&c's that say they will take a direct debit, irrespective of any manual payments made, unless you cancel the direct debit.

Yorkshire Boy is generally the expert on t&c's. If the direct debit was for the full amount, why did you pay it manually ?

cos_2

The process of taking the DD had already started when you paid manually, I expect, and they would have needed a bit of notice.

Your best bet is to plead with your bank, explaining what happened and how important your overdraft is. They may be persuaded to retain it if you grovel.

Take evidence of what happened, i.e. your CC statements showing the extra payments, and visit the bank branch to see someone face-to-face.

exel1966

Baclaycard were indeed correct in taking the DD payment. It's a pretty common mistake assumed by many that the DD will not be taken if a manual payment is made.
I think you need to make an appointment to see an account manager (not c/s agent) at your local bank branch ASAP.
Take with you a statement/online print out showing the duplicate identical payments and explain what has happened. I'd be very suprised if they didn't rescind the decision to remove the OD as this is clearly a genuine common mistake. However if you've had account problems in the past they may not be so willing to help.

Good luck !

Spreader_2

Under the banks direct debit guarentee they should have immediately refunded any DD taken in error assuming you told them ? B\C would have run their bank tapes about 5 days before the payment was due just to ensure the bank tape got to the clearing house for processing on the due date. A lot depends on who you told and when , the banks are supposed to be lenient over the DD errors though as it's such an economical way to process payments they don't like it to get bad press and want to encourage it's use not stop it.

Hard to give to exact thing to say without the full facts dates you paid /due etc but see the manager and mention that had you informed them they were liable to make an immediate refund under the direct debit guarentee which applies to all banks. If you want to push them further if getting no help mention you'll refer it onto the Financial Ombundsmans Service to investigate. Banks dont like that as the FOS charge you nothing but charge the banks around min £360 and regardless of the outcome its usually cheaper for them to wipe charges etc

exel1966

If in error yes, but it's not. The OP had authorised a DD to take the full amount on the due date. His/her statement advised of that. Where is the error ? I can't find the online t&C's, but I'm sure if the OP reads them/the statement it will be confirmed that Barclaycard have done nothing in error.

As for the FOS, set procedures and time frames have to be followed prior to the FOS entertaining any complaints.

YorkshireBoy

@Spreader,

As exel says, there has been no error. Under the DD guarantee the originator has to give the customer at least 10 (working?) days notice of both the amount and date to be collected. The only way Barclaycard can do this is via the statement, which they have done.

I'm not familiar with the Barclaycard operation (they wouldn't give me a card!), but their policy will be detailed either on the DDI confirmation letter or the FAQ on their website. Although not unheard of, it's unlikely to be contained within the T&C's/credit agreement itself.

Re the FOS complaint, the current case fee is £450 but only if they find there's a case to investigate...and there isn't! The 'gate-keepers' will not pass this particular case for further investigation, and even if they did it would be thrown out at the next stage.

And of course if you complain for the sake of it you're using resources that could be better spent dealing with genuine complaints.