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Big Barclaycard Problem
fragfeaster777
Posts: 11 Forumite
in Credit cards
I sincerely apologise for the ridiculous length of this post, but I feel I must explain my situation in detail,
I held a Barclaycard account from October 2005, and asked for it to be closed in August/September of 2008. At the time, I made sure I paid the full balance remaining on the card (well you can’t close it otherwise), and the Barclaycard representative that I spoke to over the phone had asked me to cut up the card in pieces, which of course I did.
A month later (end September 2008), I changed my address (moved cities). I got hold of my credit files then (from checkmyfile.com) and indeed the Equifax and Call Credit files indicated that the Barclaycard account had been settled. So I assumed that the account closure had gone ahead as I requested.
Fast forward to the 18th of February 2009, when I receive a call from Barclaycard, asking me as to why I had not paid an amount that was put into the card in October 2008. Surprised, I told the lady over the phone that I had no idea what she was talking about, that I had closed my Barclaycard in September 2008, that the credit files proved I had closed and settled the account, and that the card had been torn up a long time ago. She said I could have been a victim of fraud and that the fraud department would contact me in 1-2 weeks.
A few days later I update my credit files and realize, to my horror, that I have 2 recorded defaults on… my Barclaycard account!
I contacted Barclaycard immediately and demanded to know what was going on. After much hassle (I had trouble getting through security as I did not know what my card number was, it had been torn up since September 2008), I was told that Card Protection had put in a charge in October 2008 for an amount of £35 (or so). I informed them that with the account completely closed, why did they allow any charges to go through, at which point they told me that recurring payments were automatically put through. I found this concept ridiculous, considering the account was closed, but I did not argue as I remember vaguely an earlier post here where a charge had been placed on an account using the wrong cardholder name, wrong security details etc but it was still allowed through.
Anyway, I also asked the Barclaycard representative as to why I was not contacted at all regarding this charge (they had at least 3 months to get in touch) and he informed me that all the statements had been sent out… to my old address. I explained to him that I had moved out from that address soon after closing the card, and so obviously never received any statements. I also told him that my mobile number had not changed, and that they only contacted me after they declared me in default.
Finally, I made it clear to the representative that those defaults in my credit file had to go. He spoke to his manager, and said that the first step to do so was to get a refund from Card Protection and only then would they look into the case. That did not sound convincing at all to me.
I spoke to Card Protection (who were understanding people) and said that they would put through a refund immediately. Now I am undecided as to what steps I should take to have these defaults removed from my file. Should I write to Barclaycard Complaints department, explaining the situation, explaining that Barclaycard had not taken appropriate steps to contact me when I failed to repay the amount that was put through (considering the account was closed and I had NEVER missed a payment on any card), and explaining that I followed what they asked me to do (obtain the refund) to get the defaults removed?
Many thanks to all of you kind-hearted people who took the time and effort to read this post!
I held a Barclaycard account from October 2005, and asked for it to be closed in August/September of 2008. At the time, I made sure I paid the full balance remaining on the card (well you can’t close it otherwise), and the Barclaycard representative that I spoke to over the phone had asked me to cut up the card in pieces, which of course I did.
A month later (end September 2008), I changed my address (moved cities). I got hold of my credit files then (from checkmyfile.com) and indeed the Equifax and Call Credit files indicated that the Barclaycard account had been settled. So I assumed that the account closure had gone ahead as I requested.
Fast forward to the 18th of February 2009, when I receive a call from Barclaycard, asking me as to why I had not paid an amount that was put into the card in October 2008. Surprised, I told the lady over the phone that I had no idea what she was talking about, that I had closed my Barclaycard in September 2008, that the credit files proved I had closed and settled the account, and that the card had been torn up a long time ago. She said I could have been a victim of fraud and that the fraud department would contact me in 1-2 weeks.
A few days later I update my credit files and realize, to my horror, that I have 2 recorded defaults on… my Barclaycard account!
I contacted Barclaycard immediately and demanded to know what was going on. After much hassle (I had trouble getting through security as I did not know what my card number was, it had been torn up since September 2008), I was told that Card Protection had put in a charge in October 2008 for an amount of £35 (or so). I informed them that with the account completely closed, why did they allow any charges to go through, at which point they told me that recurring payments were automatically put through. I found this concept ridiculous, considering the account was closed, but I did not argue as I remember vaguely an earlier post here where a charge had been placed on an account using the wrong cardholder name, wrong security details etc but it was still allowed through.
Anyway, I also asked the Barclaycard representative as to why I was not contacted at all regarding this charge (they had at least 3 months to get in touch) and he informed me that all the statements had been sent out… to my old address. I explained to him that I had moved out from that address soon after closing the card, and so obviously never received any statements. I also told him that my mobile number had not changed, and that they only contacted me after they declared me in default.
Finally, I made it clear to the representative that those defaults in my credit file had to go. He spoke to his manager, and said that the first step to do so was to get a refund from Card Protection and only then would they look into the case. That did not sound convincing at all to me.
I spoke to Card Protection (who were understanding people) and said that they would put through a refund immediately. Now I am undecided as to what steps I should take to have these defaults removed from my file. Should I write to Barclaycard Complaints department, explaining the situation, explaining that Barclaycard had not taken appropriate steps to contact me when I failed to repay the amount that was put through (considering the account was closed and I had NEVER missed a payment on any card), and explaining that I followed what they asked me to do (obtain the refund) to get the defaults removed?
Many thanks to all of you kind-hearted people who took the time and effort to read this post!
0
Comments
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Hi,
I myself am having problems with the delightful team at Barclaycard (or should I say the delightful team based in India at Barclaycard even though all my letters are sent from Gill Rice in Northampton)who keep telling me my account is settled and I will receive confirmation within the next 2 weeks but never do and they've now told me my account that was settled is apparently accruing interest and I'm about to go into Default!
I went into a Barclays branch today, who about as useful as chocolate teapot, and I'm about to write to Barclaycard in Northants which I will send recorded delivery and I will also fax and keep a copy of, detailing every conversation, name taken, date I spoke to them and the situation as I understand it. I'm also going to go to The CAB for advice on what to do if this doesn't work...
Other than that I'm stumped and it makes me quite angry the injustice of it all - what can you do when one of these money grabbing corporate giants makes a mistake that will affect you and your finances for the next 6 years!
If anyone has any answers - I'd appreciate help too.0 -
Wow ... reading your post is like speaking to myself! I have literally just posted the same query myself and find it astonishing that companies like this are so willing to hide behind their call centres and treat customers in such an awful manner. Perhaps they don't realise how stressful it can be to discover that you have a default on your credit history!
I hope that we can share progress and hopefully both reach a satisfactory resolution with Barclaycard.
BTW - like the chocolate teapot idea! I would say they are neither use nor ornament!!
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fragfeaster777 wrote: »I was told that Card Protection had put in a charge in October 2008 for an amount of £35 (or so).
Did you have a direct Debit set up for guard protection for the period before you closed the account................................I have put my clock back....... Kcolc ym0 -
Robert_Sterling wrote: »Did you have a direct Debit set up for guard protection for the period before you closed the account.
I believe I did (though I don't have the documents to confirm or deny this)
Also, any documents that would have been sent out via the Card Protection agency regarding repayment would have gone to my old address.
Thanks0 -
Ramjet1000 wrote: »Hi,
I myself am having problems with the delightful team at Barclaycard (or should I say the delightful team based in India at Barclaycard even though all my letters are sent from Gill Rice in Northampton)who keep telling me my account is settled and I will receive confirmation within the next 2 weeks but never do and they've now told me my account that was settled is apparently accruing interest and I'm about to go into Default!
I went into a Barclays branch today, who about as useful as chocolate teapot, and I'm about to write to Barclaycard in Northants which I will send recorded delivery and I will also fax and keep a copy of, detailing every conversation, name taken, date I spoke to them and the situation as I understand it. I'm also going to go to The CAB for advice on what to do if this doesn't work...
Other than that I'm stumped and it makes me quite angry the injustice of it all - what can you do when one of these money grabbing corporate giants makes a mistake that will affect you and your finances for the next 6 years!
If anyone has any answers - I'd appreciate help too.
Bit cheeky hi jacking someones thread.0 -
fragfeaster777 wrote: »Also, any documents that would have been sent out via the Card Protection agency regarding repayment would have gone to my old address.
Did you cancel the Guard Protection when you no longer needed it.?
Did you tell Guard Protection your new address.
Did you tell Barclaycard your new address.
Did you arrange for your mail to be redirected by the post Office when you moved................................I have put my clock back....... Kcolc ym0 -
Robert_Sterling wrote: »Did you cancel the Guard Protection when you no longer needed it.?
Did you tell Guard Protection your new address.
Did you tell Barclaycard your new address.
Did you arrange for your mail to be redirected by the post Office when you moved.
Robert, the answers are:
1) No, did not cancel Guard Protection (no idea it was still running: it appears in my statement once a year and that's it)
2) No
3) No, but why should I tell Barclaycard my new address when I closed the account before even considering to move?
4) No, I cancelled all my subscriptions and informed all the institutions who needed informing of my new address
Thanks for your help. Please remember that Card Protection have said they have refunded my Barclaycard (this was on Thursday, so it should show up on Barclaycard systems). With the refund in place, I was wondering what are the next steps to take to remove the defaults from my files
Thanks again0 -
hi
grrr...
barclaycard .. they are taking me to court even though i dont have this card or account with them..bcard wont talk with me as i cant answer security questions they quote data protection... have tried letters can prove b. card received them . I have completed the defence section of court papers.I have contacted f.o.s for advice
If you try the thread claiming ppi. there have been a few helpful people here
who may be able to help you find the correct direction. good luck0 -
Thankyou Fragfeaster for your polite and frank response to my questions.
As they say on "Dragons Den" at this point I am out.
I wish you success in your battle with Barclaycard................................I have put my clock back....... Kcolc ym0 -
Thank you Robert for trying to help out! I appreciate it
I wasn't t too sure about your post: Did it mean that from your experience that I have no way of winning this case from Barclaycard (ie even with the refund, the default will stay), or that you are unsure as to what the outcome of this case may be?
I hope you believe the latter! But I will keep up a fight, resorting to the law system if need be.
Cheers!0
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