Court Fines _- Credit Card

SammenForLivet2

Hello there

One of my work colleagues and close personal friends is likely to receive a large court fine (£1-5k) and has asked me for the best way to pay it (almost to the degree, I think he is asking me to lend him the money to do so).

Essentially, he has tied up a lot of his money in Fixed Rate Bond's, and has little disposable cash e.c.t. and (according to him), he can't get hold of the fixed rate bond's until the mature next year.

I've tolled him to apply for a 0% purchases card - and put the fine on their until he can get the cash to pay the card down. I've asked him to check his eligibility and according to him, he has a '90%' chance of getting an M&S Card - and if he can't get the card to the limit he need's - I'll loan him the remainder or he should look at applying for a personal loan.

But, having some experience in dealing with credit cards, I'm a bit worried - that any court fine will appear as 'quasi-cash' or as a Cash Advance, thus not availing the 0% rate.

Any one had any experience?

redpete

I'd be surprised if they allow payment of fines by CC, but no experience to say either way. If it is possible then I would expect it to appear as a cash advance - after all he's not buying anything.

He could apply for a 'super balance transfer' card that will allow him to transfer money into a current account and then pay the fine from there.

Has he checked if he can access the money int he fixed rate account(s) even if it means he will lose out on interest - if he can I wouldn expect him to do this rather than borrowing money from a friend.

redcard

macfamilyent wrote: »

Hello there

One of my work colleagues and close personal friends is likely to receive a large court fine (£1-5k) and has asked me for the best way to pay it (almost to the degree, I think he is asking me to lend him the money to do so).

Essentially, he has tied up a lot of his money in Fixed Rate Bond's, and has little disposable cash e.c.t. and (according to him), he can't get hold of the fixed rate bond's until the mature next year.

I've tolled him to apply for a 0% purchases card - and put the fine on their until he can get the cash to pay the card down. I've asked him to check his eligibility and according to him, he has a '90%' chance of getting an M&S Card - and if he can't get the card to the limit he need's - I'll loan him the remainder or he should look at applying for a personal loan.

But, having some experience in dealing with credit cards, I'm a bit worried - that any court fine will appear as 'quasi-cash' or as a Cash Advance, thus not availing the 0% rate.

Any one had any experience?

Not sure why you're worried about them not accepting credit cards

chattychappy

https://www.gov.uk/pay-court-fine-online

chattychappy

I can't see that it would appear as a cash advance... because it's not. Unless they tell you in advance or it's clear from the T+Cs, I don't think they can say it's quasi-cash.

(It might come clear as you click through the steps on the link above.)

But agree... direct experience would be handy.

jacques_chirac

If you are willing to lend him any shortfall, are you also willing to write that money off? Lending money to friends, especially friends who break the law, is rarely a good idea.

SammenForLivet2

Yes, most likely - I have know him since I was four years old - and understand, that my cash will be at significant risk. However, he has done the same for me, although the circumstances where entirely different.
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Thanks for everyone's help. I know they accept Cards, but obviously, it would be pretty stupid of me to recommend a credit card, if they are going to charge it as a 'Cash Advance'.

lynz68

Courts will usually give people time to pay a fine and possibly set up a payment plan. Let your friend make an arrangement with the Court rather than lend them the money.