Quick Advice Needed

Moneymash

When I said it wasn't the OP's fault the payment was late I meant that the OP obviously didn't intend to or anticipate being stuck at sea (who would). I could say why leave it to the last minute to pay, you've got no room to rectify if something goes wrong, but I won't say that.

Also, I meant Standing Order. Direct Debits and credit card payments don't mix well in my opinion.

redpete

Moneymash wrote: »

Also, I meant Standing Order. Direct Debits and credit card payments don't mix well in my opinion.

Given the posts recently about SOs being too late because payment dates change - I would trust DDs more than SOs.

stephane_2

helpadviceplease wrote: »

Does anyone have any knowledge of getting these late payments removed? Is it possible? In hindsight, is it would be prudent to set up a DD.

Anything is possible....if you've had no issues with Amex in the past explain what happened, offer them to set up a direct debit & see how it goes. But as I said earlier a late payment marker on your file will have almost no impact in the short term especially if you have an unblemished report

Moneymash

Redpete, my concerns about DDs are that I have recently read a lot of posts about DDs for minimum credit card payments. One poster said that her CC DD payment ended up being lower than the minimum amount due (Somehow!) and she was not alerted and had racked up charges.

Other posters have said that if they make an overpayment on their CC near the DD date, the DD amount is lowered, or not taken at all, or in some cases even cancelled.

Since the OP wants a blemish free credit report, they may feel there is more control with a SO.

pvt

moatmeister wrote: »

AsI have said in my other posts on similar subjects recently, they just shift the blameetween themselves and the people inthe call centres dont have a clue. You need to get through higher up, to something that may be called "lending control" department or similar When they say there is nothing they can do they are lying. Whether they want to is another question, that depends on your personal circustances and what has happened. You may have mitigating circumstances but The plain facts are unfortunaltely that you were late paying. Its not impossible to get it removed but dont count on it. Set up a DD ifyou havnt got one so it doesnt happen again. Good luck

Sorry Moatmeister, who's to 'blame' here?

Given that AmEx have correctly reported to the CRA that the OP was deliquent in paying this month, then when he follows your advice and "gets through to something that may be called the lending control department" it is the OP who will be asking them to lie, rather than them that are lying when they say they can't lie.

OP, you paid late. It's no big deal. Let sleeping dogs lie.

moatmeister

No one is to blame except the op for paying late. However the bank will no doubt say its up to the CRA and the CRA will no doubt say its the bank. That is my personal experience.

Also Amex told the OP that nothing can be done. As I said, something can be done but whether they want to do it is another question

Simon7685

Why not put a note of correction on your file yourself, explaining why the payment was late and that because of the circumstances it was outside your control. Assuming this has never happened before you could also add that to the statement.

How much good these things are I don't know but as I understand it lenders are obliged to have regard to them when making any credit decisions in the future. It might not be any good but maybe worth a try if you can't get anywhere with either the lender or Equifax.

Buzby

Let's get this in perspective. A 1 is not a black mark, a default or CCJ. It is an automated confirmation that the payment was not received on the due date. In isolation, and with no other similar (or increased) numbers, it will be largely ignored. Only when it is seen to be a precursor of 'difficulties' tha it marks anything meaningful.

Whether stuck at sea or suffering a mental block, a safety net of a transfer of a minimum amount will provide a useful safety net, but I would stop beating yourself up over it.

helpadviceplease

Buzby, think you have hit the nail on the head. I was concerned this was a serious matter and would greatly effect my rating. I will set up DD's as a safety net for the future and try and get on to Ammex to remove the late marker. If not, I will just have to let it be.

redpete

Moneymash wrote: »

Redpete, my concerns about DDs are that I have recently read a lot of posts about DDs for minimum credit card payments. One poster said that her CC DD payment ended up being lower than the minimum amount due (Somehow!) and she was not alerted and had racked up charges.

In which case the CC company had failed to take the DD amount you had authorised them to - so their fault and any charges should be refunded and any credit report markers removed.

Other posters have said that if they make an overpayment on their CC near the DD date, the DD amount is lowered, or not taken at all, or in some cases even cancelled.

Which would still have meant that the minimum payment would have been paid so no credit report markers.

Since the OP wants a blemish free credit report, they may feel there is more control with a SO.

and if it does go wrong it is entirely down to you, if there are problems with DD amounts being taken then it is the CC company's responsibility.