Virgin credit cards won't let me pay off/shut down my account over the phone

jkodav

Hi,

I have a virgin credit card with a balance of around -£1800. I want to pay this balance off and shut down the account (the interest rate is too high).

I phoned them up today and the guy who answered said that I can't pay that balance off in total over the phone, that I can only pay off a maximum of £750 over the phone, and that I would have to pay it off via the internet (I don't have a login for virgin at the moment) or at a bank.

I want to sort this out ASAP and I also want to make sure that I pay off the right amount (including any upcoming interest due). I've heard that shutting down a virgin credit card can be problematic (as in, they try to do everything they can to s**ew you).

A/ Does it sound right that they can't accept payments over £750 over the phone or are they just messing me around? I asked for the manager, who 'wasn't around' at the time and is going to call me back in an hour, so I wonder if I should try to 'put my foot down' or whether they really can't accept larger payments.

B/ What would you say is the best way to pay off a virgin credit card without having problems. If I understand correctly, some people have been in situations where they thought they had paid off the full balance, then shut the card down, then it turns out there was still an amount due on the account, and from there things seem to turn to hell - I've read a few stories on different forums.

Any help/information would be appreciated. I've just also paid off a LLoyds credit card, and although I have some issues with them, the paying-off/closing-down process itself was very smooth.

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Surprised they have a limit over the phone, but why not pay if off in 3 separate calls if that's what it will take?

KingElvis

Deleted_User wrote: »

Surprised they have a limit over the phone, but why not pay if off in 3 separate calls if that's what it will take?

or call three times over three days?

jkodav

I suggested that but the guy said they couldn't do that, but can't see how they can stop me. Might have to do it on 3 separate days. I'll check with the supervisor when/if he calls back.

For the last payment, do I have to worry about them quoting the wrong amount to pay off the account? Maybe I should over-pay and get the balance paid back to my current account?

AbigailDunwich

Is it Virgin that you're calling directly? If you go straight through your bank's phone service you shouldn't have any problems for that amount - details of sort-codes and account numbers for the payment will normally be on the statement, references are generally just your card number but should be on there as well.

elsietanner71

I agree it can be very problematic trying to close an account with them.

I paid off my Virgin Credit card in full about 3 weeks before the monthly direct debit payment was due and cancelled the direct debit with my bank.

Virgin applied for the payment (I didn't owe them anything!?) which was refused then charged me £12 for a bounced payment. When I rang up thinking they'd made a mistake the guy insisted I had to pay the charge. It was only when I asked for a manager ('if you really want to hear someone else tell you the same thing, you can speak to one' ) that they waived the charge. How big of them!

So you're right to be wary.

Good luck.

YellowJellyBean

Im calling tomorrow to enquire about closing down our virgin cc with a similar balance (£1900) so will be interesting to see what they tell me!

I can feed back here once Ive spoken to them if you like x

BoGoF

Do you have online banking - can't you pay by that method. Remember you will still have 'trailing interest' that won't be calculated till next statement date.

As an aside, don't be too hasty in cancelling an MBNA (Virgin) card, they are one of the best at offering 0% deals on cleared accounts.

YorkshireBoy

BoGoF wrote: »

Do you have online banking - can't you pay by that method.

I always prefer to send a £1 test payment first, before making a payment in anger. Saves all those tears and the "where's my money gone?" posts we see on here from time to time.

Remember you will still have 'trailing interest' that won't be calculated till next statement date.

...unless you overpay slightly to create a small positive balance.

If you've a minimum payment DD set up, then if there's a balance at statement date they will collect it via DD...unless you call MBNA at least 5-7 days before the payment due date to cancel the DD.

jkodav

Thanks for all the advice. The supervisor/manager called me back and in fact was quite helpful. It turned out that the best method to pay it off was via my internet banking (Lloyds), as BoGoF recommended, using their sort code/account number and it went through today with the faster payment system, so all sorted. He quoted the balance plus the predicted next month interest, and I've overpaid slightly just in case.

By the way, BoGoF, not sure what you meant by 0% deal on cleared accounts - I've already used their 13 month 0% balance transfer interest deal, but that's not what you are referring to, is it?

YorkshireBoy

jkodav wrote: »

By the way, BoGoF, not sure what you meant by 0% deal on cleared accounts - I've already used their 13 month 0% balance transfer interest deal, but that's not what you are referring to, is it?

BoGoF was referring to MBNA's ongoing promotions for existing customers...providing they've managed their accounts well.