Credit Card Account with non-UK address

fluffysheep

I've recently moved from the UK to Jersey (Channel Islands) and wrote to one of my credit card providers (Opus) to ask them to update my address. The account is currently closed to new lending (i.e. I have no card as I haven't used the account for several years) but I am still paying off the balance at a very low interest rate.

Unfortunately they've told me they cannot update the address as their "lending policies restrict us from issuing cards outside of the UK". They have however acknowledged the account is closed.

Is there anything I can do to ensure that I still receive any correspondence? I have a Royal Mail redirect set up but that will expire in a year. If I were to give them the address of a friend or family, would this mean that my credit record would be associated with that address, and vice versa?

Perhaps the only other option is probably to pay off the account and close it? That's not really my preferred option at this stage! It seems unusual that I can't just update the correspondence address, given that I am not looking for any additional lending.

I have a number of other credit card accounts and haven't experienced this issue to date, but perhaps they just haven't got round to considering my request! I'd appreciate any help from someone a bit more knowledgeable about these things.

bouncydog1

Not all lenders will provide accounts for Channel Islands so this may well be their policy. Can you get another card and do a balance transfer then close this one down, or alternatively see if any of your other providers will allow the balance transfer.

fluffysheep

Thanks for the reply and the helpful advice. The interest rate is only 6% so I don't really want to move the balance. I don't understand why they won't update the address, since the account is already closed to new lending due to non-use.

izools

well they've made it clear they won't be updating the address so there's no point continuing to flog that dead horse.

Two options remain that you're already aware of;

Balance transfer
register the card at a relative's address

The latter would leave part of your credit history recorded against that address but it wouldn't affect any other residents there.

fluffysheep

Thanks izools. Perhaps a little harsh though - as I said the letter stated that their "lending policies restrict us from issuing cards outside of the UK". I do not wish to have a card issued outside the UK so I completely disagree that they've made anything clear. I hadn't intended on flogging any dead horses, just to ask for advice. As I'm sure you're aware, sometimes responses to customer service queries aren't always the correct responses for the circumstances.

I appreciate that you've cleared up my other question about using a friend's/relative's address. I think that might be the easiest option.

bouncydog1

I would check the terms and conditions very carefully as there may be a declaration in there regarding residency. You have also aready tried to change your address to CI so there may already be a note on your account.

3 options - write to customer services, send by recorded delivery and set out circumstances and see what they say;

Alternatively try for a BT or a new card with a low interest rate;

Pay off in full if possible.

It is their policy not to have CI lending and although the original loan was not issued in CI this may well cause them issues.

There are many UK lenders and also insurers who can't deal in the CI as they are not allowed to due to licensing rules. As you have found out, some also have internal policies that prevent them from doing so.