Virgin credit card - pay by DD but had a missed payment???

getmefree

Hi all

Just after a bit of advice really, apologies if this is covered elsewhere.

I have a virgin credit card and although my account was suspended 2/3 years ago i have maintained my monthly payments and set up for the minimum to be paid by direct debit.

I received my monthly statement this morning and on it had a £12 fee for a missed payment? Is it possible for me to have a missed payment when i pay by direct debit? I havent changed banks or anything.

I have a less than perfect credit history as it is and i thought by setting up direct debit payments that this would help avoid making my credit score any worse!!

any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

CannyJock

If you've changed banks, cancelled the mandate or not made a payment for more than 12 months then it's possible for the DD agreement to expire or be cancelled.

Check your last statement to confirm that it states they will collect payment by DD

Otherwise, it's up Virgin (MBNA) to process the DD correctly.

You should contact them to insist that they:
1. Refund the £12 late payment fee as you pay by DD
2. Do not report a missed payment to the CRA's (if your payment history is less than perfect you don't want any more missed payments being reported)
3. Credit your account with £10 for your costs in contacting them and your inconvenience.
4. Confirm that future payments will be taken by DD as previously instructed - take the name of the person you speak to, their team number, and ask them to confirm the date and time of the call as all calls are recorded

Basic rule is that DD's are the way forward (with NickX as an exception:p) and if they do screw up a DD then it's their responsibility to fix it. The most common problem people have with DD's is thinking that they're "instantly setup" when in reality it's normal to have to make one payment manually and then further payments are taken by DD. There's no reason for an ongoing DD to cause any problems.

getmefree

Thanks for this.

I ahvent changed banks for over 3 years now and I havent done anything to change/cancel the DD. I dont think i've missed a payment since my a/c was suspend so dont understand why it reports a missed payment!

I'll get on the phone to them today. Thanks for the advice.

bazster

You're not alone:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=2213069

Looks like the credit card companies have thought of a new way to rip us off. Write to them and threaten to go to the Ombudsman.