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AP on my Credit Record - misled by Barclays
SLITHER99
Posts: 374 Forumite
Hi
I gained a default in 2002 and worked hard to pay off my debts. Lesson well and truly learned, I've spent the next 10 years repaying all my debts, living like a pauper and ensuring nothing else went sideways.
After all that, as of mid 2012, the only remaining debt I had was my Barclays current account. I had an overdraft and a reserve overdraft on top of that. After a redundancy in 2011, I had to dip into my reserve overdraft for various reasons.
In November 2011, Barclays called me as I was £400 into my reserve and offered to help by bringing the reserve amount down at a gradual level. I had no real need for this to happen, as I explained to the adviser, as I was now in gainful employment, the reserve overdraft would not be required any longer and was ready to repay it at my next payday.
I repaid my reserve as described and then the remainder of my overdraft by August 2012. However I got declined on a new current account (I wanted to switch) and a 0% finance application in August. I thought this was just me having been in my overdraft so recently, so thought nothing more of it.
I checked my Experian credit report today after being declined another current account last week to find AP listed against my Barclays Current Account.
Now, I was never over my reserve overdraft limit! There was no reason to think me delinquent on anything, just that I was riding the wave after redundancy. I even sold belongings to ensure no limits were exceeded during my redundancy.
I'm furious as Barclays called up "offering help". The horror stories I'm seeing on Google is that this is as bad as a default. Is that true? Is there anything I can do or have Barclays (AGAIN) just screwed me over?
When the adviser called me, I told them that my reserve overdraft would be done over the next month and the remainder of the overdraft over the next 6-7 months. She was insistent that she reduced my reserve limit on a gradual basis to which I just agreed. I even asked if this would affect my credit to which she said no!
Had she told me that this would have affected my credit report in any way, there is no way I would have agreed - mainly as I had no requirement for AP whatsoever! Had she answered anything other than "No" to my question about my credit record, again, there's no way I would have accepted!
I'm very concerned as I want to switch my mortgage provider later this year.
I gained a default in 2002 and worked hard to pay off my debts. Lesson well and truly learned, I've spent the next 10 years repaying all my debts, living like a pauper and ensuring nothing else went sideways.
After all that, as of mid 2012, the only remaining debt I had was my Barclays current account. I had an overdraft and a reserve overdraft on top of that. After a redundancy in 2011, I had to dip into my reserve overdraft for various reasons.
In November 2011, Barclays called me as I was £400 into my reserve and offered to help by bringing the reserve amount down at a gradual level. I had no real need for this to happen, as I explained to the adviser, as I was now in gainful employment, the reserve overdraft would not be required any longer and was ready to repay it at my next payday.
I repaid my reserve as described and then the remainder of my overdraft by August 2012. However I got declined on a new current account (I wanted to switch) and a 0% finance application in August. I thought this was just me having been in my overdraft so recently, so thought nothing more of it.
I checked my Experian credit report today after being declined another current account last week to find AP listed against my Barclays Current Account.
Now, I was never over my reserve overdraft limit! There was no reason to think me delinquent on anything, just that I was riding the wave after redundancy. I even sold belongings to ensure no limits were exceeded during my redundancy.
I'm furious as Barclays called up "offering help". The horror stories I'm seeing on Google is that this is as bad as a default. Is that true? Is there anything I can do or have Barclays (AGAIN) just screwed me over?
When the adviser called me, I told them that my reserve overdraft would be done over the next month and the remainder of the overdraft over the next 6-7 months. She was insistent that she reduced my reserve limit on a gradual basis to which I just agreed. I even asked if this would affect my credit to which she said no!
Had she told me that this would have affected my credit report in any way, there is no way I would have agreed - mainly as I had no requirement for AP whatsoever! Had she answered anything other than "No" to my question about my credit record, again, there's no way I would have accepted!
I'm very concerned as I want to switch my mortgage provider later this year.
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Comments
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The only way you have of challenging this is to make an official complaint to Barclays (in writing), if you feel that they don't resolve the issue you will have to follow it up with a complaint to FSA and ICO.
An AP can be as bad as a default, in some circumstances worse. A default will drop off your credit file after 6yrs. If you are on a DMP Barclays litter the file with AP's. My DMP will take just over 5yrs so potentially the AP's will show history for 6yrs after the DMP is finished therefore 11 yrs of bad history.
I would be better off stopping payments to Barclays altogether and forcing a default!!!!!0 -
I was never on any payment plans! I haven't needed any payment plans since I got my default in 2002. I learned my lesson hard and went without holidays and everything to ensure everything on my credit file was green across the board.
The only blemish on my file amongst a sea of green are these APs. I'm absolutely livid. And it seems to have royally messed up my credit!
I fully intend to complain to Barclays!0 -
I was never on any payment plans! I haven't needed any payment plans since I got my default in 2002. I learned my lesson hard and went without holidays and everything to ensure everything on my credit file was green across the board.
The only blemish on my file amongst a sea of green are these APs. I'm absolutely livid. And it seems to have royally messed up my credit!
I fully intend to complain to Barclays!
I never suggested you were on any payment plans.
And yes Barclays appear to have screwed you over. Best of luck with your complaint. Barclays have little morals and are intent on screwing all manner of people over, even international interest rates.0 -
Sorry, I didn't mean to appear like I was ranting at you!
It's just a rather terrible thing to see. If I could qualify for another current account, I'd be gone. Short of asking my employer to pay me in cash, I don't think there's anything I can do!0 -
Sorry, I didn't mean to appear like I was ranting at you!
It's just a rather terrible thing to see. If I could qualify for another current account, I'd be gone. Short of asking my employer to pay me in cash, I don't think there's anything I can do!
Do you really need a full current account? A good basic account is a CO-OP Cashminder if you are determined to get away from Barclays.
http://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/servlet/Satellite/1193206368743,CFSweb/Page/Bank-CurrentAccounts0 -
You can get a current account with an AP marker. Not all will accept but some might. I got one, but the bank that gave it to me you won't like (Barclays).
Try coop, although they turned me down.
Might have more luck if you don't ask for an overdraft.:beer:0 -
I'm mainly concerned as it seems it has stopped me from getting even the most basic credit. I was even declined on the Open University OUSBA loans.
Is it really going to be another 6 years of having to go for sub-prime anything? Even mortgages? I've slept on it and I'm still incensed about the whole thing!
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You checked all the credit agencies?
I would complain to Barclays, in writing to get it fixed.
Are you on electoral role? Any CIFAS info or GAIN on your report?
APs stay for 6 years, but I think loans and cards search the last 3, mortgages 6 years.:beer:0 -
Slither. I am going through an inaccurate marker problem with Barclays at the moment ( see my thread default issued 6 years late). Barclays think they can do what they like. My only option now seems to take them to court. They issued a default with mine in 2008 but said they never registered this & have marked it as an AP. Barclays are Bxxxxxds
I have complained to the FOS after Barclays ignored my letters but they are still refusing to uphold my complaint.0 -
Well, next month I can afford to close my Barclaycard. I imagine my current account will follow quickly afterwards. They are most unhelpful.
When I was unemployed and needed help, they simply added more charges to my account. The adviser said, "its to encourage you to pay!"
A truly terrible bank. It's obvious why they didn't need a bailout!0
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