What to do?

[Deleted User]

It's not about changing banks. You need a 0% BT offer with a new card. Whether you can get one depends on your circumstances.

longtermplanner

I think your wife must have seen Martin talking about a Debt Management Plan. Under a DMP you don't pay the full monthly repayment and the lender is asked to freeze interest. As lenders have a nasty habit of helping themselves to any money in your current accounts or savings account if they get a letter about a DMP, you are advised to change bank accounts before proposing the DMP if the lender is the bank that you bank with.

We can't tell if a DMP is a good idea for you or if Nationwide would agree to one. It will depend on your finances.

If you think you can't afford the credit card repayments (nb can't not don't want to) I suggest you contact StepChange http://www.stepchange.org/Howwecanhelpyou/DMPDebtmanagementplan.aspx who are a charity and won't charge you for a DMP.

But if you can, then as zx81 says, you need to look at finding a balance transfer card if possible. If you are rejected, then you need to concentrate on repaying the debt as soon as possible so you minimise the interest you pay.

Dovah_diva

Pay the balance in full and there will be no interest charged.

grumbler

For transferring the balance to a card with 0% introductory offer see

• Balance Transfer Credit Cards

However, as said above, it's easier just to pay the balance off in full. I can't imagine that your wife spent £1200 on 'helping' someone if you didn't have any savings. If it really was the case, she needs all her credit facilities closed ASAP.