Dormancy fees have lead to a default! PLEASE HELP

mishka1

Hi there, I'm new to money saving expert and would really appreciate some advice. I have just checked my credit rating and score for the 1st time in a year having spent the last year clearing the balance on a high interest credit card every month in order to build a healthy credit rating. Unfortunately, to my horror " i appear to have defaulted " on a store card (TOPSHOP-SANTANDER) that had a clear balance and had not been used for over two years. I was always advised it was better to keep credit/store cards open to demonstrate that you were able to get credit in the first place. I am absolutely devastated having just saved and saved and saved for the deposit for my 1st flat when all my contemporaries have been partying their way around the globe. On further investigation i have found out that they introduced a dormancy fee which seems to have built up over several months then resulted in a default. I never received any information by post about this nor have i been advised that the account had defaulted. I'm sure if i put this to them they will state that i was informed in some generic manner, but i have no record of this whatsoever. Has anyone else found themselves in this situation? Is it possible to have a default removed? What should my next course of action be? Telephoning the customer service has resulted in an address - they were unwilling to discuss my account over the phone. What's worse it that is is only for £120 - i can hardly believe it, it's a drop in the ocean in comparison to what i've had to save and is now the only negative on my credit report! GUTTED is putting it lightly :-(

jonesMUFCforever

You are saying that you never received a statement of account either in paper form or online?

Write to the address given and explain. They might see sense and compromise with you.
The only thing is - unless this is totally their fault - the default will be on your credit files for 6 years - though showing as settled is much better than a default.

mishka1

I don't have this account linked up to an email address. As i said, i've not used the card for a couple of years since i last cleared the balance. According to information on the internet Santander introduced the dormancy fees in march 2011, which was several years after i signed up to the card and also after i last used the card. Thanks for your advice.

jonesMUFCforever

mishka1 wrote: »

I don't have this account linked up to an email address. As i said, i've not used the card for a couple of years since i last cleared the balance. According to information on the internet Santander introduced the dormancy fees in march 2011, which was several years after i signed up to the card and also after i last used the card. Thanks for your advice.

Have you moved at all then during this time?

mishka1

No, still at the same address

jonesMUFCforever

Then you need to speak to them.

Valli

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

Then you need to speak to them.

Absolutely - because as soon as they started applying the dormancy fee to the account (and, therefore, you owed them money) statements should have been sent to you.

Consumerist

. . . and if they don't see sense, start their formal (written) complaints procedure.

pepperpot22_2

I would WRITE to them at the address below with a (polite) formal complaint. From my own experience and everyone I know who's had an account with Santander Cards, they are notorious for failing to send out statements.

Complaint Resolution Team
Santander Cards
Capital House Unit A
Bruntcliffe Way
Morley
Leeds
LS27 0JG

mishka1

Thanks for the advice everyone, fingers and toes x'd i get it sorted! :-)