Missed Credit Card payment - what can I do? Please help....

audioblackout

Hi guys,

A cheque unexpectedly came out of my account last week and caused a credit card payment to be refused. I got quite a shock today and phoned them immediately to pay it!

I asked them if this would affect my credit rating and they said it would! I have got an absolutely perfect rating that I'm very proud and protective of and have never missed a payment in 4 years! Surely the fact I'm phoning up as soon as I discovered the problem means this is a genuine mistake??!

Is there anything I can do? Would you suggest writing to head office? Has this happened to anyone else before and what should I do?

Any help would be massively appreciated as I'm hoping to get a mortgage next year!

opinions4u

The impact on your credit file will be small and will diminish in importance as each month passes.

But any mark that they do report will be factual - so I doubt you can change that.

(If you've cleared it fast, it is possible that when things get reported to the CRAs it won't show anyway - so don't lose too much sleep!).

System

audioblackout wrote: »

A cheque unexpectedly came out of my account last week

You wrote a cheque and were surprised when it was cashed? Sheeesh!

SnowTiger

!!!!!! wrote: »

You wrote a cheque and were surprised when it was cashed? Sheeesh!

Shock, not surprise.

garth549

As long as you don't miss the payment entirely it will have very little impact on your credit score

audioblackout

Thanks for the replies.

I actually wrote a friend I was staying with a cheque and told him not to put it in for a week, but he did. Hence the issue!

Is there a better plan of action anyone could suggest, rather than just waiting to see how this affects my rating?

Hax

I take it you've now made the payment?

Percy1983

Just pay it and carry on in life.

I made a late payment on one card and it didn't show on my credit file, but even if it did, one late payment on a what was a perfect record will have next to no effect.

Grant_UK_2

Don't panic - everyone makes an error once in a while. One mark on an otherwise clear credit report won't concern any companies checking your report.

I recommend that you contact the card company and ask if they will consider refunding any fees they charge you, considering that this is a one-off and first missed payments.

I've accidentally missed payments on different cards a couple of times in the last few years. I spoke to them, apologised, made sure the payment was made and asked them if they would consider a refund because it was accidental and not-to-be-repeated - they did so on each occasion. If I were to miss again with the same card, then the charge would stand, which is fair enough.

Don't worry though - I don't think you'll encounter any problems as a direct result of one missed payment. Just ensure that it doesn't happen again as repeated misses will work against you.

Cheers - Grant

claire_UK7

As previous members have said, call the company and ask them to remove any notice due to prompt payment once you realised the situation. Most companies will do this as a good will gesture to retain your custom.

chattychappy

claire_UK7 wrote: »

As previous members have said, call the company and ask them to remove any notice due to prompt payment once you realised the situation. Most companies will do this as a good will gesture to retain your custom.

They do sometimes refund charges, but removing a notice to a CRA after it has been accurately given is another matter. This is meant to be a factual account, not a "punishment" in its own right and negotiable.