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ALOT of help please. RE: Credit Card 'Guest'

Hi,

I'm really in need of some important help; if this isn't the forum area for it please could you tell me.

A family friend had a credit card with Halifax* but has recently died leaving his wife (another family friend) needing questions that I hope you folk can help with.

When he signed up for the credit card, he was asked whether he wanted his wife a 'guest' on the card, in which they accepted. All letters/bills have always been assigned to him only and Halifax would not allow her to speak to them about it, as it was in his name.

However, Halifax are now saying that she now has been left with the debt accrued even though she was only a guest on the card and was never allowed to speak to them regarding it - is she legally bound by it? Could anyone please help or give some information regarding this? Are they allowed to do it? What steps can be taken about it? It's an already stressful time as you can all imagine so any help would be really appreciated.

Thank you.

Comments

  • Hannah_10
    Hannah_10 Posts: 1,774 Forumite
    ooh good question, I don't know, but I reckon I know who would. http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/
    I refuse to be afraid of the big bad wolf, spiders, or debt collection agencies; one of them's not real and the other two are powerless without my fear.
    (Ok, one of them is powerless, spiders can be nasty.)


    As of the last count I have cleared
    [STRIKE]23.16%[/STRIKE] 22.49% of my debt. :(
  • Hannah_10
    Hannah_10 Posts: 1,774 Forumite
    I refuse to be afraid of the big bad wolf, spiders, or debt collection agencies; one of them's not real and the other two are powerless without my fear.
    (Ok, one of them is powerless, spiders can be nasty.)


    As of the last count I have cleared
    [STRIKE]23.16%[/STRIKE] 22.49% of my debt. :(
  • evo1
    evo1 Posts: 90 Forumite
    Thank you Hannah, really appreciated.

    If anyone else any information that could help, that too would be appreciated.
  • Hi Evo1

    I suspect that this is all going to be hinge on the credit agreement that your departed friend signed, and more importantly, whether his wife is on that agreement. I.e. was it a joint application or not. Some 'guest' cards are actually joint credit agreements.

    I'm afraid in this case the devil will be in the detail.

    Your friend should be able to do something called a CCA request, which will incur a £1 fee.

    Whats important is that your friend must NOT sign any letters she sends to them. Make sure she signs letters with a fancy font on her computer instead.

    When she gets a copy of the credit agreement back she will then be able to take things from there depending on the agreement.

    Best

    SnV
    LBM & Debt July 2010 [STRIKE]£19,000[/STRIKE] now - £11,619.60 Long Haul Supporter #247

    Remember Income > Expenditure = MSE Heaven :A and Income < Expenditure MSE Hell :(

    Current STB (sticking to budget) Counter - day 109 (Personal Best - 109 days!)
  • evo1
    evo1 Posts: 90 Forumite
    Thank you SnV, really valuable information.
  • evo1
    evo1 Posts: 90 Forumite
    Quick bump to see if anyone else has any information?

    thank you
  • nottoolate
    nottoolate Posts: 1,359 Forumite
    not really. it's fairly straight forward

    she is only liable if she signed the credit agreement in joint names
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