Halifax Nightmare! Please Help.

BJV

Ok I have had two credit cards with the Halifax for years and years, over 15 I think.


Long story short about four years ago I needed to use them and they both had balances of about 10,000. Just over £21000 in total.


I never missed a payment, was never late but they kept putting the interest rates up.


Fast forward to August. I was advised my by accountant to clear the balances which I did. I used savings, did not take on any debt.


I was actually quiet chuffed with myself. So September I went into branch and paid the balances in full with cash and two cheques.


I destroyed my cards and thought it that is the end of that.


October I got my statements. The money had left my account gone to theirs and then come back to me. I called and asked why my bank told me that the cheques had been changed by someone other than me at branch level.

Naturally not too happy I called. I took time off work and went to my own banks branch and did a bank transfer for the balances. Ok finally over. NO!


End of Octaober I got a letter saying that I had not paid one of my cards and tht the other was over £10,000 in credit. Ok well after 1 hour explaining the situation to someone who kept saying "yes of course you have paid them " chuckle chuckle " they realised that they had allocated the money to the wrong card. I was assured that it would be sorted all done.


No Last night I got home to find a letter from collections. My account has gone into default. Charges for default, charges for late payment etc.


I went mad. I called them again another hour on the phone. They say that this time it is sorted but what they do not know is that I wanted to get a loan for an extension on my house. As my credit file will now have a default on it I will have to wait until it is removed. Minimum 6 - 8 weeks possibly longer. So not a happy bunny as I do not want to tell the builders to start until I have got the loan. I do not want to apply until my file is clear as other wise it will affect the rate I am offered.


They offered £50 to say sorry and last night they admitted it was their fault. I know it is their fault I just want it sorted and my name cleared on my credit file. Think in the end the offered £200. Three months of messing around while they have all the money ????


Just wanted some advice as to what I should do now. TBH so annoyed, so upset. Really can not believe that I have paid these cards back in September and I am still having to deal with the idiots and the consequence's of them recording late payments and defaults will affect me for months to come.


Help please?

McKneff

Me personally, I would be annoyed that it had all happened obviously.


Your default should disappear within a month.


Then I would accept the £200 as an end to the matter. Any thing else will just be prolonging the stress and I don't think you will be awarded any more that that to be honest.


And then move on....

BJV

It not about the money. £200 is not to be ignored its more about the fact that they have been incompetent. These are cards and ok by hook or by crook they will be sorted once they get their act together. Just want someone in the Halifax to say sorry and next time if someone like me ever phones not to speak to them as though " yes of course blar blar " clearly not believing a word I say.

Tixy

You may want to write a formal complaint to them.

It is definitely possible for them to update your credit file quicker than 6-8weeks and so your letter may want to request that they make a priority update to the credit reference agencies to correct their mistake.

BJV

Tixy wrote: »

You may want to write a formal complaint to them.

It is definitely possible for them to update your credit file quicker than 6-8weeks and so your letter may want to request that they make a priority update to the credit reference agencies to correct their mistake.

Thanks


I just don't want to commit to the builders until I have got the loan. Equally I don't want to get the loan until its off my file as I want to make sure I am getting the best rate I can.

pinkdalek

Tixy wrote: »

You may want to write a formal complaint to them.

It is definitely possible for them to update your credit file quicker than 6-8weeks and so your letter may want to request that they make a priority update to the credit reference agencies to correct their mistake.

Sounds like a complaint has already been registered or why else would they be offering £200?
You are correct OP they are incompetent, it's not acceptable, their error has caused you to have this default placed on your credit file. I wouldn't be happy, sorry, just sounds like they are binning you off by dangling a nice £200 carrot in front of you, the money isn't the issue here.
I'd stress more of the inconvenience, stress and whatever else it has caused you. See what they come back at you with.

zerog

Another way to think about it is that if you wanted a loan of £10000 for 1 year, then £200 would be equivalent to a 2% reduction in the rate.

Tixy

pinkdalek wrote: »

Sounds like a complaint has already been registered or why else would they be offering £200?

It sounds like all the communication has been by phone.

A written complaint is formal and will be dealt with by different people, and is required to take a complaint further (such as to the FO) if the OP decides they need to.

BJV

Tixy wrote: »

It sounds like all the communication has been by phone.

A written complaint is formal and will be dealt with by different people, and is required to take a complaint further (such as to the FO) if the OP decides they need to.

You are right everything has been done by phone or by visiting the branch.


I will send a letter with all the copies of the receipts I have showing that the balances where paid in full. One mistake I can understand, two is naughty three and four for a financial company the size of Halifax mmmm not good. Thank God I do not have by current account or mortgage with them I would hate to think what could happen!

meer53

If they're saying they've made errors and have agreed to amend your credit file and also offered you compensation, what else are you wanting them to do ? You could push for more compensation and will get it if you're persistent, is that what you want ? Your credit file will be amended, it can be done quickly, it doesn't have to take 6-8 weeks, Halifax can sort this out but you have to push them.

BJV

meer53 wrote: »

If they're saying they've made errors and have agreed to amend your credit file and also offered you compensation, what else are you wanting them to do ? You could push for more compensation and will get it if you're persistent, is that what you want ? Your credit file will be amended, it can be done quickly, it doesn't have to take 6-8 weeks, Halifax can sort this out but you have to push them.

Thanks I will push them as I do not want to mess the builders around.


Think what I really want is a "sorry"