Are Halifax CCs beginning with 525303 different?

shortcrust

I've just got a Halifax credit card and have noticed that there is a different customer services number for cards that begin with 525303:


"To set up a Direct Debit today, call us on 08457 28 38 48 (+44 113 242 8223 from outside the UK).

Or, if your card number begins with 525303, call us on 0845 944 4555 (+44 1733 573189 from outside the UK)."

Anyone know what the difference is between the two types of card?

rb10

The 525303 cards appear to be managed by Lloyds TSB, whilst all other card numbers are managed by Halifax.

So by calling 0845 944 4555, you're actually calling a Lloyds TSB contact centre, whereas 08457 283848 goes through to a Halifax/Bank of Scotland one.

No idea what the reason behind this is!

shortcrust

rb10 wrote: »

The 525303 cards appear to be managed by Lloyds TSB, whilst all other card numbers are managed by Halifax.

So by calling 0845 944 4555, you're actually calling a Lloyds TSB contact centre, whereas 08457 283848 goes through to a Halifax/Bank of Scotland one.

No idea what the reason behind this is!

Thanks. That's a funny thing!

Halifax wouldn't give me a credit card when I originally opened my current account last year. I'm a mature student (though only for another six week!) on a lowish income so I wondered if the 525303 cards were for their 'non-prime' customers.

guesswho2000

shortcrust wrote: »

Thanks. That's a funny thing!

Halifax wouldn't give me a credit card when I originally opened my current account last year. I'm a mature student (though only for another six week!) on a lowish income so I wondered if the 525303 cards were for their 'non-prime' customers.

Nope, Halifax don't issue cards to sub prime. You may be ok getting one now, I've read that they get a bit funny about issuing cards if you've just opened one of their accounts, as they like to see some account history first - this doesn't seem to apply if you take out a CC then open a current account (as I did for unconnected reasons!).

slopemaster

I'm also a mature student (also only for another six weeks or so!) and
Halifax also wouldn't give me a credit card when I originally opened my current account last year. They accepted me no problem* 8 months on, with a credit limit higher than I asked for, and a good rate.

I also have a 525303 card, and found out it was dealt with by a different call centre - they just vaguely said it was one of their 'new' cards.
One of the differences is, apparently, that if you get another card for a second cardholder, it comes with a different number. This means that if one is lost, they don't have to cancel both.

*The check on account conduct was carried out there and then when I applied by phone. It was done by a human, not a computer, as they queried whether I was using the account as my main account. I do have DDs set up on it, and money going in and out, but it would be pretty obvious that I'm just doing it to get the £5 a month, so I thought they might turn me down. I decided not to try and bluff, said no it is not my main a/c; they asked who my 'main' a/c was with; I said L-TSB and they then accepted me for the credit card.

dgtazzman

I'd be happy if it's managed by Lloyds rather than Halifax, never had issues with the Lloyds call center, whereas the Halifax one has been a pain, always friendly enough on the phone, but it usually takes 3 calls before anything actually happens. I know they are the same banking group, but there does seem to be a significant difference in standards. I requested a new pin number for my Halifax CC twice as the one they provided originally didn't work and on both occasions received a new pin that yet again didn't work. It wasn't till the third time they actually got it right.