How do I pay my fathers credit card

curiosity101

Hello all,

My father is currently unwell, he's been in a medically induced coma for a number of weeks now and we've received a text from his bank to say his credit card payment is due.

I phoned them last night and they weren't particularly helpful. In short they said that without a statement (and therefore knowing the current balance and minimum payment) I couldn't do anything (without power of attorney). He does all of his banking online so I don't have access to anything except his credit card.

Are they right? If anyone else has been in this situation what did you do?

macman

With the card number as a reference, you could certainly make a payment, but without knowing the amount due, you are stuck, unless you want to guess a minimum amount.
If the minimum is not paid then the card will be suspended and the bank will eventually send something in writing to him to that effect, so you'd then have the info you need.
Until then, the bank will have to wait. You could ask them to put a note on his file to the effect that payment cannot be made until he is well, tand hat might give you some evidence when the statement comes in with interest and fees added.
Best wishes for your father's recovery.

f0nz

Is there any way you could find a paper statement at his home?

I am going through something very similar right now. My father has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor and his memory has suffered. Luckily I managed to log on to his main bank account by changing his passwords using his card and very well guessed security question answers. I have also managed to find his stash of paper statements which has made things slightly easier.

If you have no joy with the above perhaps CAB or ageuk (depending on your fathers age) could offer you some help and advice.

I'm very sorry your dad is ill. I hope he gets better soon and that you can sort things out as easily as possible.
Take care!

20aday

curiosity101 wrote: »

Hello all,

My father is currently unwell, he's been in a medically induced coma for a number of weeks now and we've received a text from his bank to say his credit card payment is due.

I phoned them last night and they weren't particularly helpful. In short they said that without a statement (and therefore knowing the current balance and minimum payment) I couldn't do anything (without power of attorney). He does all of his banking online so I don't have access to anything except his credit card.

Are they right? If anyone else has been in this situation what did you do?

I'm sorry to hear about your Dad; I hope he gets better soon. You say you have access to his Credit Card... Is there anyway of calling the Automated Service and seeing if it will tell you on there?

agrinnall

I think macman's answer is the right one, if you try messing about changing passwords you'll definitely be breaking the T&Cs of the account and potentially risking locking future access to the account.

surrey_jim

Whilst being illegal I have called up previously advising I was my father, passing security on mothers maiden name and date of birth type questions and made a payment on his behalf

david39

I am not trying to be critical here but maybe we should all take notice of what has happened here.

It is another reason why we should put in place a direct debit to pay at least the minimum payment to the credit card account. That is, always assuming that the main account has regular income to support it.

Hope your father makes a full recovery.

scott_lithgows

Walk into his bank with the card and cash? Works for me in M&S.

jonesMUFCforever

If you walk into a branch with your fathers card, explain nicely the situation, in most instances I believe they wou;d do their best to help without divulging too much information.

agrinnall

jonesMUFCforever wrote: »

If you walk into a branch with your fathers card, explain nicely the situation, in most instances I believe they wou;d do their best to help without divulging too much information.

I don't see how it could be done without revealing enough information for a third party to work out how much his total balance was, and while you might be right that they would do it I believe it would be in breach of bank protocols.

Mojisola

curiosity101 wrote: »

I phoned them last night and they weren't particularly helpful. In short they said that without a statement (and therefore knowing the current balance and minimum payment) I couldn't do anything (without power of attorney). He does all of his banking online so I don't have access to anything except his credit card.

david39 wrote: »

I am not trying to be critical here but maybe we should all take notice of what has happened here.

It is another reason why we should put in place a direct debit to pay at least the minimum payment to the credit card account. That is, always assuming that the main account has regular income to support it.

Anyone who banks online or has their utilities and other bills only online needs to make arrangements for others to find their details if they are incapacitated or die.

Can you imagine trying to sort out someone's estate when you have no idea of where they bank, who provides their electric, etc?