Feel cheated by Nationwide Credit Card Services

getmeouttahere

Long story short, my wife and I are in a significant amount of debt as previously mentioned on here and we have written to all but one creditor, explaining our situation and asking for their assistance.

The one creditor we haven't written to is Nationwide and this is because I have a credit card with them that is on 0% interest and our plan was to pay as much of this off as possible before the interest free period ends and keep the card locked away as an emergency fund (it has a £2800 limit).

Due to changing banks (as advised by StepChange) in December, the direct debit for December and January's payments didn't go out and I only realised this when I had a letter from Nationwide at the end of January.

On 5th February I phoned and paid the overdue amount and on 9th February I phoned an paid the minimum payment for that month (with money that we didn't really have spare). Rang them today to ask for a new pin number, to be told that the card had a permanent block on it since 9th January and I am no longer able to use the card.

I have had the card for just under a year and this is the first time the card has not been paid, however, they won't listen.

Should they have told me that they placed a block on the account? Is there anything I can do that might convince them to re-activate the account?

Obviously, if they do a new credit check, my credit rating is trashed anyway, but I do feel like they've cheated me in with-holding the fact that the account is blocked.

ReadingTim

What do Nationwide's T&Cs say with respect to blocked cards and late/missing payments? If they say one thing and done another, then you have cause for feeling cheated. If, as I suspect, they've done exactly what their T&Cs say they'll do, then you don't.

In terms of reactivating the card, I think you'll struggle as they'll be worried that you do to them as you have to your other creditors - spend up to the limit, then say you can't pay it back - you've missed 2 repayments, you've changed bank accounts rather hastily (a normal current account switch usually involves moving your direct debits as well - did you switch to stop DDs and CPAs being used on the old account?). Finally, from a commercial perspective, the 0% deal you're on is costing them money, especially if you pay everything off before the deal is over and never use the card again - they're not making any money from you. They're probably keen to drop you as a risky and unprofitable customer, which is completely their choice - no-one has the "right" to a credit card.

iolanthe07

Sorry, but I agree with Reading Tim. Nationwide are just protecting themselves from possible future losses. Actually, looked at dispassionately, you can't really blame them since you say yourself that you and your wife are in a considerable amount of debt. You could try appealing to their better nature, but don't hold your breath.