Unsolicited Credit Card

Merson_Tuffers

:mad: Hi Folks,

As there have recently been a lot of changes to credit card regulations, I was hoping if someone could advise if the following was allowed:

I wrote to Virgin Money in February to cancel the credit card I had with them as I was no longer using it. They wrote back to acknowledge the cancellation and advise what the remaining small balance was that had to be cleared. This was duly paid and, as far as I was concerned, job done.

I was, therefore, VERY annoyed when I received my 'NEW' Virgin Credit Card through the post on Saturday!!!!! Complete with 0% interest rate on balance transfers etc. As I am trying to keep my credit score record clean and accurate by closing off all unused credit cards (as recommended by financial experts) I was not happy to receive this card.

Are they allowed to do this? Do the new regulations cover this sort of mis-behaviour?

Many thanks for any replies.

Merson Tuffers

ILW

Just cancel it, what is the problem?

Merson_Tuffers

Errrrr....... the problem is that I have ALREADY cancelled the card two months ago......

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

When you say you received a "new" card do you mean a replacement for the old one or have they opened a new account.

If it's a replacement it's possible that it was prepared before you asked them to close the account and that the two actions have "crossed in the post".

If they have opened a new account for you it does seem a little naughty.

YorkshireBoy

Merson_Tuffers wrote: »

I wrote to Virgin Money in February to cancel the credit card I had with them as I was no longer using it. They wrote back to acknowledge the cancellation and advise what the remaining small balance was that had to be cleared. This was duly paid and, as far as I was concerned, job done.

I can't see how they could do that?

You can't request a card is cancelled whilstever it has a balance owing on it. You repay first, and then make the request once you have a zero balance and no residual interest pending (which could take 2 statement cycles if you had a revolving interest-bearing balance).

Merson_Tuffers

Hi Fruit & Nut,

The account # is the same - I've just checked it against my cancellation letter - but it seems a bit strange that there has been correspondance on this and that it was two months ago. Had it been a just a couple of weeks then fair enough. There was also about four months to go before my previous card expired.

Merson_Tuffers

Hi Yorkshire Boy

The balance was interest on the payment protection. I had already paid off the balance in full plus a bit extra to clear any pending interest and then got a further statement with PPI and interest on it which I cleared again. I then got a FURTHER statement with another miniscule charge on the PPI (15p). I called them up and was told that this would be refunded and that my account balance was zero. I received a statement in March confirming this.

YorkshireBoy

Merson_Tuffers wrote: »

...then got a further statement (Feb/Mar) with PPI and interest on it which I cleared again. I then got a FURTHER statement (Mar/Apr) with another miniscule charge on the PPI (15p).

These took you up to the present month then didn't they? Like I said, the account can't be closed whilstever there's a balance owing.

They simply ignored your request.

Wait until you have a zero balance statement and then make the closure call (it's a freephone number).

Merson_Tuffers

I have just spoken to Virgin - according to 'their records', yes I had closed the account, and they confirmed this but, when I made the phone call in March regarding the 15p refund, I 'agreed' for the account to be kept open. Even though I stated to the clerk "So you can confirm that the balance is now zero and the account is now closed" and which he confirmed. (I wrote it all down to be sure!!)

I cannot see how these words can translate into "Oh yes, I have gone to all this trouble to write to you, to close my account, but now that I have spoken to you regarding this stupid value of 15p can you please keep it open...."

Aaargh!!!!!

Many thanks to all respondants. :-)

jonesMUFCforever

It is a mistake - get over it - get on with the important things in life.
I'm sure you like me make mistakes all the time - nobody is perfect.

Merson_Tuffers

Wow!! Thank you jonesMUFCforever for that insightful comment.

You have just reminded me why I hardly ever post to the forum....

The next time I have a question, I'll take it elsewhere.