Debit Cards - Ex Bankrupt

Heapy

We need someones advise... please!?

My Wife and I have been discharged from out bankruptcy now for 14+ months. We have banked with the Clydesdale for around 4 years now, and all through our tials & tribulations, they have been great.

When we cleared Bankruptcy, we upgraded our account and rec'd a Cheque Book. We have even been operating a small overdraft every now and again if we need it. We have never been overdrawn and never bounced a cheque. As I say, very helpful.

However we now wish to get a debit card and the bank are not prepared to give us one. They say because we were bankrupt, that the info remains on our credit file for 7 years, and they have to take this into account. They have also said that by giving us a Debit Card, they would be extending credit to us. To which I have relied, "what do you think an overdraft is then"!

Anyway I spoke with their customer services today and was told that while we could get a card at "anytime" it may be up to the end of our 7 years (2009).

While I am prepared to wait a little longer, we feel we are being victimised for going bankrupt. It was not an easy decission to make, and we feel we are being punished further, we are after all discharged now. We have two small kids and wish to start to prepare for not only our future, but there's as well.

So can someone advise how we proceed from here.

Thankyou

Richard & Susan

System

Hi Heapy,

nice to have you aboard mate - your in good company on here. However, i am going to move your post to a more suitable board. I am sure you will get more replies and help to your situation on there. There is also a wealth of information on the Debt Free Wannabe board as well as support when things are tough.

All the best.

Broken_hearted

I think you should wait, as you've said the bank is being fair with you. They let you have a cheque book and an overdraught.

sparkle84

Heapy wrote:

We need someones advise... please!?


Anyway I spoke with their customer services today and was told that while we could get a card at "anytime" it may be up to the end of our 7 years (2009).

While I am prepared to wait a little longer, we feel we are being victimised for going bankrupt. It was not an easy decission to make, and we feel we are being punished further, we are after all discharged now. We have two small kids and wish to start to prepare for not only our future, but there's as well.

Richard & Susan

Yes you are being victimised and the bank is quite right to do this. As you said your bankrupcy wasn't an easy decision and it shouldn't be and 14 months after discharge you are looking to get more credit!!! your having a laugh

earwig

hi my hubby was made bankrupt last november and has not been discharged yet but has a elctron debit card with the coop bank and he got this account the day after going bankrupt

moozie_2

sparkle84 wrote:

Yes you are being victimised and the bank is quite right to do this. As you said your bankrupcy wasn't an easy decision and it shouldn't be and 14 months after discharge you are looking to get more credit!!! your having a laugh

sparkle84, a 'debit' card does not provide credit, simply access to a bank account at cash points and checkout tills. The OP did not mention they were after a 'credit' card, just a debit card.

Personally I can't see why they are not allowing you to have a debit card but they have given you an OD That one is beyond me I'm afraid. Maybe you could try banking elsewhere, like the Co-Op bank which according to earwig, does not seem to have those kind of limitations.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

sanfrancisco

Heapy wrote:

We have two small kids and wish to start to prepare for not only our future, but there's as well.

How will having a debit card help you/your childrens future?

sparkle84

moozie wrote:

sparkle84, a 'debit' card does not provide credit, simply access to a bank account at cash points and checkout tills. The OP did not mention they were after a 'credit' card, just a debit card.

Personally I can't see why they are not allowing you to have a debit card but they have given you an OD That one is beyond me I'm afraid. Maybe you could try banking elsewhere, like the Co-Op bank which according to earwig, does not seem to have those kind of limitations.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

A debit card (Maestro/Switch) can provide you with credit and it is something very few banks will give to ex bankrupts as it can be used to go into and over an overdraft. You are credit checked when you apply for a debit card and as an ex bankrupt will be refused until you have run you account in a manner satisfactory to the bank. A debit card like a cheque book is not a right but privilege and totally unnecessary for the OP. I believe cash is still acceptable in most shops

silverfoxdude

I went bankrupt about 18 months ago and I'm discharged now. I was clearly informed that it would be real difficult to get debit cards/credit cards due to the action I was taking. Didnt you get told something like that?

Well I have got some eyebrow raising news... Capital One have given me a blumming credit card!! I applied for something to do, thinking I'd be turned down flat, but I wasnt.... strange

sanfrancisco

silverfoxdude wrote:

Well I have got some eyebrow raising news... Capital One have given me a blumming credit card!! I applied for something to do, thinking I'd be turned down flat, but I wasnt.... strange

What was the credit limit - if you don't mind me being nosy?

kevker

sparkle84 wrote:

A debit card (Maestro/Switch) can provide you with credit and it is something very few banks will give to ex bankrupts as it can be used to go into and over an overdraft. You are credit checked when you apply for a debit card and as an ex bankrupt will be refused until you have run you account in a manner satisfactory to the bank. A debit card like a cheque book is not a right but privilege and totally unnecessary for the OP. I believe cash is still acceptable in most shops

It is, unfortunately it's hard to pay cash on the internet. Of course, it helps having to pay more for everything in a shop, why would you want to save money by buying cheaper on the internet? Surely as well, as OP said, he has run the account well since being made bankrupt, has never gone over his overdraft, so I can't see what the problem would be, but then I suppose we aren't all perfect like some people.