Lloyds TSB can't/won't accept Virgin Money balance transfers

brinardi

Hi all,

This is my first forum post...

I have previously transferred balances from my Virgin card to Lloyds TSB with no problems.

I tried to a transfer a balance from Virgin to LTSB tonight but the website stated the transfer wasn't successful (not declined). I phoned LTSB and after much to-ing and fro-ing was told it could be done over the phone at which point I was transferred to another operator.

As soon as I had read the second portion of my card number I was asked which card I was transferring from and as soon I told them, I was informed that their system physically would not accept transfers from Virgin cards any more so I could not transfer a balance from this card to the LTSB one.

I don't understand how this is suddenly the case and would be grateful is anyone knew anything about this or how to resolve such a situation (mature student so simply getting another card is not that easy) then I'd be grateful for any input.

YorkshireBoy

Does the Virgin card have a standard 16-digit card number?

Or do you have the Virgin Atlantic Amex card with a 15-digit card number?

brinardi

It's a Virgin Money Mastercard with a standard 16-digit number. I had wondered if it was due to the changeover from LTSB to TSB (Scottish customer) but was told that it was purely due to them not being able to put Virgin Money card numbers onto their system. Very strange.

[Deleted User]

Did Lloyds propose any possible solutions? (Bar taking out anotherr card and BT it around the three?

Have you spoken to Virgin and asked what there view is? They *may* be able to offer some help?

planteria

agreed. one of the two providers might have something useful to say. :think:

[Deleted User]

Not the first to have this issue;

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/63061373#Comment_63061373

External Link

This has info on virgins/mbna relation and BT issues

brinardi

Many thanks to all for taking the time to reply, will look into your suggestions. LTSB simply told me there is nothing they can do (helpful)...don't understand why they have apparently changed their BT rules re accepting transfers from Virgin...

*Scarlett

Could it be something to do with virgin cards being switched from mbna to virgin money and vice verse?

brinardi

Spoke to Virgin today and they advised that there was no reason that Lloyds TSB should not accept a transfer from one of their cards so I would need to speak to Lloyds TSB as they had not heard of this problem before.

Spoke to Lloyds TSB directly after and they told me that Virgin Money have changed their sort code and account numbers and not informed other banks so the fault is entirely Virgin's. Lloyds tell me that entering a current Virgin credit card number is not possible on their computer system as it is immediately shows as "pre-tagged" (not a recognised credit card number). Lloyds say they "hope" to sort this with Virgin in two weeks time.

I suspect, as Scarlett suggests, this is to do with the change where Virgin cards that were run through MBNA are now to be operated through Virgin Money directly. Especially as I had already tried to transfer the balance to a Barclaycard instead only to be told that balance transfers on this card (the Virgin Mastercard) were "not supported".

Concerned and not very impressed all round and it seriously puts me off using the Virgin card in future for any larger purchases.

Kissvalp

can anyone tell me which provider does accept BT's form Virgin?

iFart

I've tried to do a BT from Barclaycard to Virgin online today.

The Barclaycard system told me that I hadn't entered the Virgin 16 digit number correctly, when I had. I checked several times

It seems that the issue is not just Lloyds TSB but other card providers as well.

(Assuming that Virgin are not connected with Barclays in any way?)