Halifax misleading 24/7 availability is fraud

numbersix06

Hi has anyone else noticed the misleading info on their Halifax credit card statements?It sayes that there customer services can be reached 24/7 but for the last two days have been unable to reach them cos of public holiday which is all well and good if it sayes that on statement but it doesn't!!
I needed to ring them about a late payment which was there fault as they changed the payment sort code on my online banking without telling me.
I managed to sort that out and it has gone down as a complaint and refund but the more important complaint is regarding the misleading info which amounts to fraud and is a criminal offence as it's obtaining money by deception saying people can ring their 0845 line 24/7 to get in contact with them.
Just wondered if anyone had taken them to task for it.My complaint has been escalated and will be getting a manager ringing within two working days.Ive encouraged them to approach the Financial Obudsman as it's fraud.Will see what the manager sayes.
They acknowledged the complaint and distress caused so I'm off to a good start:-)

eskbanker

numbersix06 wrote: »

misleading info which amounts to fraud and is a criminal offence as it's obtaining money by deception saying people can ring their 0845 line 24/7 to get in contact with them

That's some leap you've made there! Good luck getting anywhere with that one....

Caz3121

did you get a recorded message when you called or was it just ringing. Was it the 08459 44 45 55 number?

YorkshireBoy

eskbanker wrote: »

That's some leap you've made there! Good luck getting anywhere with that one....

They will though.

Halifax will counter with "why didn't you call the 0113 number?", but still bung them £25-50 to go away!

I didn't think companies benefitted from 08457 numbers these days, but a quick google would suggest otherwise?

eskbanker

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

They will though.

Halifax will counter with "why didn't you call the 0113 number?", but still bung them £25-50 to go away!

Yes, as per OP, making the case for a bit of inconvenience will undoubtedly bear fruit (and rightly so if the published number was out of service), but I was commenting on OP's apparent expectation that, above and beyond a standard complaint, this can somehow be built up into a criminal matter!

("I managed to sort that out and it has gone down as a complaint and refund but the more important complaint is regarding the misleading info which amounts to fraud and is a criminal offence as it's obtaining money by deception")

numbersix06

It's a criminal matter as it's misleading.The thousands of people that would have rang that 0845 number under the illusion they would get through to someone because it said the line was open 24/7 is a lie and has profited Halifax to the tune of a lot of money.
Obtaining money by deception which this is,is a criminal offence.
Yes it's the 0845 9444555 at the top of statement.
Why did they ask for my credit card details then say that they were closed for a public holiday.
There's no getting away from it it is fraud!!

PeacefulWaters

numbersix06 wrote: »

but the more important complaint is regarding the misleading info which amounts to fraud and is a criminal offence as it's obtaining money by deception saying people can ring their 0845 line 24/7 to get in contact with them.

What did the police say when you reported the crime?

noh

With BT the business does not share the revenue from 0845 numbers.
It is therefore unlikely Halifax is making any money from your call infact it may be costing them money.
http://business.bt.com/phone-services/pre-paid-and-low-cost-numbers/

numbersix06

I also rang the 0845 20 30 40 number which had the same recorded message after I had put my credit card details in.
The Telephone banking leaflet also talks about it being 24/7 but in the small print Sayes not all banking services are available 24/7.Please speak to an advisor for more information.
I couldn't as they were closed.Misleading info.Theres definitely a case to answer but will keep you posted on developments:-)

numbersix06

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

What did the police say when you reported the crime?

Oh I think it's more in the Financial ombudsman jurisdiction..I have already encouraged them to report that themselves.

PeacefulWaters

numbersix06 wrote: »

Oh I think it's more in the Financial ombudsman jurisdiction..I have already encouraged them to report that themselves.

Make your mind up.

Is it a crime or a consumer complaint?