Barclaycard default policy

crystal_pixie_2

How do you know if you have AP markers? My credit report shows as green but showing as an arrangement to pay from 2011. I have just finished off paying this debt so there isn't a balance any more. Should I complain to Barclaycard? I have been trying to clean up my report so maybe this is what is causing me to score so low.

Oh I am with Experian.

Movingon5464

The markers are the bit that are coloured. You said yours are green which is generally good but you need to look at past markers too. It could be a number, AP, DMP, OK etc. You mentioned it says arrangement to pay since 2011 and that would worry me. As you have just finished paying this debt the record will stay on your file for another 6 years until 2021 but if they had defaulted you in 2011 when you stopped making contractual payments then the record would fall off 6 years from the default date so in 2017. An extra 4 years might not be a worry to some people but if you are planning on applying for a mortgage or even some types of jobs then this record could cause you problems. If I was you I would ask them to place a backdated default on your file. Some people have had success just calling them but you may prefer to do it in writing. The people I have spoken with at Barclaycard have all been very nice but seems to be some confusion regarding what their default policy is as they say different things to different people from what I have read online. I think it is important to remember they may have their reasons for this as we don't have the full details of other people's situations so don't be put off trying. I am just trying to get to the bottom of what their policy is if indeed they have one as they should do. Good luck.

bennyhill_2

Don't panic would be my advise - I've had this issue over the last 8 years, but only addressed it recently (April 2015). I was able to speak to someone in customer relations who was genuinely interested in helping and actually getting the issue resolved.

As long as you go forearmed with the relevant details, ie: dates of 1st running in to financial difficulty, date DMP was agreed, and date therefore acknowledged there was an agreement in place to freeze the interest etc.

The person I spoke with was genuine, frank, and honest - and she stated that there was a massive backlog of cases that needed to be reviewed (or that had complaints awaiting review).

HTH? - keep us posted. I was really antagonized as my credit file showed not only the default from Barclaycard, but also the same default but registered to the DC, Cabot. Both have now been removed.

Movingon5464

Thanks Benny hill. Do you remember the name of who you spoke to ? If you do could you please send me a message. I understand maybe not wanting to put people's names online. To be fair they are just people doing a job and I feel the fault lies with their default policy, or lack of, rather than the staff.

dumpyboy

Movingon5464 wrote: »

I think it was your post I had read dumpyboy where the ICO sided with the creditor although looking back at it now I see that was with MBNA not Barclaycard. Still it shouldn't make any difference as if the ICO set guidelines they should encourage companies to follow them. I am just hoping Barclaycard do what I see as the decent thing. The people who I have spoken with were all very polite and friendly however I just don't understand what the policy is as a lot of people seem to have had the same problem with them adding these markers but when they have complained Barclaycard have mostly corrected it and even paid compensation. Seems that in the past someone at Barclaycard didn't do what they should have done and the staff now are having to clean up the mess.

Yes it was with mbna ico never replied problay to my complanet but the fos ruled that mbna were has the right to place arrangement markers for 12 plus 6 years ( the length of time I agreed in 2008 as alleged by mbna ), I seen a lot of people have luck getting it changed with barclaycard I think they are the most evil things that can be put on your credit file and are no way repersentive

Movingon5464

I agree they are worse than defaults. If companies want to use them rather than a default there should be a time limit they can show on your file as there is with defaults otherwise it is simply not fair. Credit files are not representative anyway as people could have huge debts they have defaulted on but are not seen on their file as the 6 years have passed.

sourcrates

Movingon5464 wrote: »

I agree it is not fair. By trying to do the right thing we end up in a worse position. My advice to anyone out there who is just starting out sorting out their debts is to stop payments until you get defaulted and then start a dmp. I wish i knew then what i know now.

This is a point I try to get over to people starting DMP`s.


The trouble is, they rush into things, because they are scared stiff of the creditors reaction to there non payment, they think the world will end or something, when in reality, very little happens at all.


A few letters, and calls, is the normal response, the debt collection process takes a very long time in most cases, months, even years sometimes.


I personally think its best to get your accounts defaulted, long before you start any kind of debt management, then at least you have a "line in the sand" and a definite end date, for the defaults at least.

Movingon5464

It is difficult to make sensible decisions when you are scared and I totally agree that rushing into things is the worst thing you can do. You need to weigh up all the options. I entered into a DMP with CCCS and while this was great at stopping the DCA's phoning and sending letters I can't remember them informing me of the impact on my credit file. I think they believe you are in debt so should not even be considering your credit file or getting credit again. But the reality is credit is not always a bad thing if you use it responsibly I.e. buying a property rather then renting. I remember feeling very alone and like I had ruined my whole life. This site hopefully helps people realise they are not alone.

Spudgun101

Jeff_winter wrote: »

Hi, I was in a similar position to you, I wrote to the complaints department re the omission of a default on my credit file.
I was 3 years down the line in mm DMP and barclaycard were still showing an AP marker.
After the complaint they issued a default and backdated it to the point where I have missed 6 payments some 30 months earlier. If you want to DM I can pass you any details you may need.

Good luck.

This is something I'm very interested in. I'm 4 years into a DMP and my other debts are defaulted, but the barclaycard debts are on an arrangement to pay. Or at least I think they are, as barclaycard is not reporting the two credit cards to any of the credit reference agencies. I think this is due to the accounts being 30 years old.

So, do I do nothing and keep paying my reduced payments with 3% interest and expect my credit rating to improve when the other defaults drop off. Or do I put in a complaint and risk barclaycard refusing to issue a default and recording an AP marker with the CRAs.

It's a question that I can't seem to settle on an answer to.

sourcrates

Spudgun101 wrote: »

the barclaycard debts are on an arrangement to pay. Or at least I think they are, as barclaycard is not reporting the two credit cards to any of the credit reference agencies. I think this is due to the accounts being 30 years old.

30 years old ?

Sorry, the ONLY thing you should be doing is a CCA request to Barclaycard, when they write back to you, saying they haven't got a copy of your original agreement, you no longer need to pay !!!!

Why pay debts that can't be enforced ?

Are you aware of the legislation surrounding credit agreements and enforcability ?