How can we find out which cards are live and which closed?

Amanda65

Hi all

Probably a daft question but over the past few years we have had a number of credit cards and moved our debt around to take advantage of BT offers etc. What I want to know though is how can I find out if my account is actually closed rather than just at nil balance. In the past I haven't been able to take advantage of some offers as I appeared to still have an open account on a card with a nil balance and as the card provider was the same but under a different guise I haven't been considered a new customer.

Thanks - am in the process of making 2006 my financial wake-up year so want to do a complete overhaul!

Clariman

You need to get hold of a copy of your credit history/report (N.B. not your credit score) from one of the credit reference agencies. That will show you what accounts you have open still.

Clairman

exel1966

Try Experian :- https://www.creditexpert.co.uk - take the free 30 day trial and go via Quidco to get yourself £5 cashback.

Those accounts which have been closed will have a status as settled, but will remain on your report for 6 years.

purplemoon

Hi,
In a similar vein... I closed/ settled a credit account 2 days ago. It was a barclaycard that gave me way too high a credit limit and was unused. I closed it as I want to apply for credit within the next month or so. Does anyone know roughly how long intil it will show as 'settled'- can I try to speed them along if its still there in a week or so?
Cheers (and wish I'd gone through quidco- didn't know!)

exel1966

purplemoon wrote:

Hi,
In a similar vein... I closed/ settled a credit account 2 days ago. It was a barclaycard that gave me way too high a credit limit and was unused. I closed it as I want to apply for credit within the next month or so. Does anyone know roughly how long intil it will show as 'settled'- can I try to speed them along if its still there in a week or so?
Cheers (and wish I'd gone through quidco- didn't know!)

Financial institutions tend to update the credit ref agencies approx every 4-8 weeks with that type of info so you could in effect have to wait up to 3 months or maybe more before your account will show up as settled. The credit ref agencies can only report the info supplied to them so it's down to the bank/credit card/finance company I'm afraid.

The_Boss

When/if you do call the card companies to close accounts, then make sure you request that they confirm this in writing.

purplemoon

The_Boss wrote:

When/if you do call the card companies to close accounts, then make sure you request that they confirm this in writing.

Have done so, but this has no bearing on how quickly it shows has being cancelled does it? You mean just so I know they really did it?