Closed bank account on my credit report

greensalad

I've been using Noddle to keep an eye on open lines of credit. One of the Experian improvement points given to me was that I had too many open streams of credit, so I'm working hard to close off accounts/overdrafts/credit cards to reduce these accounts.

I noticed on Noddle that I appear to have an open Halifax account. It is showing a credit balance of zero, and a "green" mark every month for "payments". It showed as being opened in March 2009.

Well I had Halifax accounts as a kid. I closed my account with them when I started uni in 2010. I turned 18 in January 2009 so I'm wondering if the start date is counted as that because it would have been upgraded to a full account?

The thing is that this account was closed. An overdraft was used but paid off and I transferred to Barclays (this was before the easy switching days too).

What should I do? I have done some digging but I can't find the account details, I only have the last four digits of the account number which show on the credit report.

More importantly, should I do anything? Does having this empty, stagnant bank account mean much?

grumbler

• You can ignore this.
• You can contact the CRA in question (not Noddle) and they will contact Halifax on your behalf.
• You can contact Halifax. They have to be able to locate the account by your name and address.

greensalad

Dragging this thread up again as I need advice.

I sent a letter to Halifax detailing all that I knew about this account and requesting a response. Heard nothing after 3 weeks so gave them a call. Told they will look into it. Still heard nothing.

I really want to get this sorted as "number of credit accounts" on my credit report is showing as a negative factor. I know that's not necessarily the end of the world but I do want it moved to "closed" just as a bit of house keeping.

But they just ignore me. What are my next steps?

eskbanker

Do you have written confirmation that your account was closed in 2010 and have you forwarded this to them?

Next step would seem to be to file a formal complaint, even if just to start the clock ticking for them to respond (in that you can take it to the ombudsman if they don't sort it out within 8 weeks), see http://www.halifax.co.uk/contactus/how-to-complain/, which commits them to "We will do all we can to resolve your complaint on the same day.
If we do not manage to resolve the complaint within 5 working days we'll write to give you an update and let you know when you can expect a full response."

Have you already notified Experian too (http://help.creditexpert.co.uk/help/CreditExpert/report_guide/remove_from_my_report)?

System

Just request a card and keep it as a secondary account in case of issues with Barclays.

With no lending facility, it will have a negligible effect on your credit profile.

Anthorn

Closed accounts stay on the credit report for 6 years from the "settlement date", i.e. the date it was closed. Here's a FAQ from Experian:
http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/faq/CA1.html

greensalad

Anthorn wrote: »

Closed accounts stay on the credit report for 6 years from the "settlement date", i.e. the date it was closed. Here's a FAQ from Experian:
http://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/faq/CA1.html

I'm aware of that but this account shows as 'open' whereas other accounts show as closed lines of credit,

anna42hmr

You could try going into halifax with proof of ID (make sure you have photo id and address id for the address noddle has that specific account listed to) and ask them if they are prepared to try and see if they have an account for you (they should be able to search with surname and post code).

They may not be able to give you the account number there and then but they should be able to confirm if the account is valid, if you have not had a statement for a long time (which may be possible if no transactions) then you could in branch ask them to pay some cash in, and order a statement, that way you will get a statement in the post (if they won't give you the account details in person for security) and can then just send a closure letter to Halifax once you have a statement (and therefore the sort code and account number)

greensalad

Thought I would write a quick update to this.

After they ignored my last 2 letters, I titled this one to the Complaints Department and mentioned the FCA. I then went on holiday but found myself with loads of answerphone messages when I got back, plus two letters in the post.

They've closed the account and issued me a cheque for 11p (woo!) plus they have identified 2 further empty savings accounts which they have offered to close.

They've also offered me £50 to apologise for not replying to my previous letters, and also offered that if there are any other expenses that have been incurred, let them know. Luckily nothing has been incurred but the £50 is well received!

Just writing back to them now... to see if it will actually come true. I'm guessing if it's got this far to the complaints handling it probably will actually be issued.

So I've made £50.13 and got all my accounts closed

Dobbibill

Had you used this account as a donor account, instead of closing it, you could have got £100 for switching plus 5% on any credit balance up to £2k

http://www.tsb.co.uk/cashback-money-saving-expert/?WT.mc_id=1613487|110700122|291861369|0

greensalad

But that would have required paying at least £500 into the account and using it for a certain period of time. I am trying to declutter my life by clearing up loose ends, not creating new ones.

£50 for me is great, £100 would have been nice but I'd actually rather have half that and not have to deal with yet another account (I already have many other accounts for savings and such).