Halifax Clarity - lots of charges for unknown payment!

e_clark

Hi,

This might be a long post, but it needs explaining and I could do with some advice!

I'd like to start off by saying that my credit rating has always been good - always pay bills on time, pay off credit card in full etc, perfect borrower really!

So this starts a year and a half ago - we were going to Florida so decided to apply for the Halifax Clarity card per Martin's advice. It didn't come in time unfortunately (last minute holiday) so when it came it kind if just got put in the wallet and forgotten about - I didn't set up the DD at the time as knew we wouldn't be going on holiday again for a while (I know, I have learned now I should have set it u straight away).

Because I hadn't spent anything on it (only for holiday use) I didn't check online banking at all and wasn't worried or aware really that I hadn't received any statements. Again I have learned now to check every card every month even if not use.

So a month ago I rang Halifax to tell them we had moved house. They supposedly updated my address then told me my card was blocked as it had a £95 spend on it in April last year. They said I can't pay on the phone and need to wait for a statement to arrive at my new address.

So, a month later I hadn't received anything so rang them again this morning to see what's happening. Turns out they updated my address incorrectly (grrrrr). They then also informed me that I should pay on the phone now (fine by me) however the minimum amount payable is now £100 as there is a £5 charge for not making the minimum payment on the statement they sent out that was due 4 days ago (the on they sent to an incorrectly updated address). I was then also told that actually there is another nearly £50 that is outstanding that is interest and charges from the past year.

So, I paid the £100 minimum as I need the card unblocked and usable for a holiday in a couple of months. However where do I stand on these charges?

Firstly, the charge for this month - they obviously didn't update my address in their system correctly - I would have paid as soon as I received it, hence ringing today to check what happened. It seems unfair I have to pay this £5 extra because they updated my address wrong?

Secondly, the £50ish of interest and charges for the past year. I seriously had no idea I owed this money - I received no correspondence from them at all, if I had I would have paid it! It seems unfair I have to pays this because they haven't told me to pay?

Tbh I'm a bit concerned it could be a fraudulent payment as I wouldn't have used the card, however I have to wait 6 days to receive the relevant statement in the post to check.

Also, I presume this massively late payment will have impacted my otherwise perfect credit rating? How badly will it have affected it, and am I able to have it removed when it seems to be their fault for not telling me to pay?

Thanks for any help and advice

Wywth

e_clark wrote: »

Hi,

This might be a long post, but it needs explaining and I could do with some advice!

I'd like to start off by saying that my credit rating has always been good - always pay bills on time, pay off credit card in full etc, perfect borrower really!

So this starts a year and a half ago - we were going to Florida so decided to apply for the Halifax Clarity card per Martin's advice. It didn't come in time unfortunately (last minute holiday) so when it came it kind if just got put in the wallet and forgotten about - I didn't set up the DD at the time as knew we wouldn't be going on holiday again for a while (I know, I have learned now I should have set it u straight away).

Because I hadn't spent anything on it (only for holiday use) I didn't check online banking at all and wasn't worried or aware really that I hadn't received any statements. Again I have learned now to check every card every month even if not use.

So a month ago I rang Halifax to tell them we had moved house. They supposedly updated my address then told me my card was blocked as it had a £95 spend on it in April last year. They said I can't pay on the phone and need to wait for a statement to arrive at my new address.

So, a month later I hadn't received anything so rang them again this morning to see what's happening. Turns out they updated my address incorrectly (grrrrr). They then also informed me that I should pay on the phone now (fine by me) however the minimum amount payable is now £100 as there is a £5 charge for not making the minimum payment on the statement they sent out that was due 4 days ago (the on they sent to an incorrectly updated address). I was then also told that actually there is another nearly £50 that is outstanding that is interest and charges from the past year.

So, I paid the £100 minimum as I need the card unblocked and usable for a holiday in a couple of months. However where do I stand on these charges?

Firstly, the charge for this month - they obviously didn't update my address in their system correctly - I would have paid as soon as I received it, hence ringing today to check what happened. It seems unfair I have to pay this £5 extra because they updated my address wrong?

Secondly, the £50ish of interest and charges for the past year. I seriously had no idea I owed this money - I received no correspondence from them at all, if I had I would have paid it! It seems unfair I have to pays this because they haven't told me to pay?

Tbh I'm a bit concerned it could be a fraudulent payment as I wouldn't have used the card, however I have to wait 6 days to receive the relevant statement in the post to check.

Also, I presume this massively late payment will have impacted my otherwise perfect credit rating? How badly will it have affected it, and am I able to have it removed when it seems to be their fault for not telling me to pay?

Thanks for any help and advice

If you don't recognise the transaction, why haven't you informed the card provider?

e_clark

I have informed them that I'm concerned it could be fraudulent but they said as its more than 6 months ago they can't see it on their system and I need to wait for the statement to come in the post for me to check.

Wywth

e_clark wrote: »

I have informed them that I'm concerned it could be fraudulent but they said as its more than 6 months ago they can't see it on their system and I need to wait for the statement to come in the post for me to check.

If you are certain you have never used the card, then you know it'll be unrecognisable