Virgin Money Card

antinori

Hi

Just a quick warning and this is not the fault of Virgin but you cannot pay your Virgin Credit Cards If you have a Nationwide Current Account.

Yes a Direct Debit can be set up but you cannot make ad-hoc payments or set up a standing order. Apparently Nationwide have not updated their account database to reflect the New Sort codes of Virgin (Despite Nationwide being notified in March). I have complained verbally to Nationwide and then followed it up with a letter and Nationwide say that a fix is being worked on but it won't be ready until February 2016 and that they can't even guarantee that date.

I have spoken to Virgin and they are estimating that there are over 10,000 Virgin and Nationwide account holders being affected.

Can MSE or it's Forum Members pressure Nationwide in to sorting this issue out sooner - it's a pathetic issue to have, an even worse answer (February 2016?!?!) and it is causing people unnecessary problems.

lxworld

You're fortunate enough to have got through to Virgin Money! Been trying for the past few days to no avail keep on being told that due to high volume they are unable to take my call! No matter what time of day you call! Clearly they don't want your custom otherwise they'd hire more agents during the "busy" times!

As it happens I am a Nationwide customer but have just opened a First DIrect account and have applied for the switch after only 1 year. I guess it's best I don't put Nationwide as my bank account in the application! I take it (i.e. hope) there won't be the same issues you describe with FD?

MisterBaxter

How about payments using a Nationwide debit card as that doesn't need the sort code.

lxworld

Virgin Money have no branches (that I know of) so how would that happen. The phone staff will no doubt be trained to say they are not allowed to take payment over the phone

MisterBaxter

There are a number of Virgin Money branches; I know there is one in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Virgin cards can also be managed online. I have a DD set up to pay the minimum on my Barclaycard and always pay the balance using my NW debit card as opposed to bank transfer, this method doesn't require the sort code to be used. I can't see why Virgin Money wouldn't be the same. Virgin Money current accounts can be operated through the Post Office so it may be that their CC can also be paid through the Post Office.

Other cards I have had in the past have paid using debit card as opposed to bank transfer so sort numbers aren't needed only the 16 digit debit card number that is being used to make the payment.

I've been looking at the Virgin card as they have one with 24 months at 0% on new purchases, I'm not sure I need one but I could earn a bit of interest by deferring some payments.

MisterBaxter

Just had an email back from Virgin Money to confirm that payment can be made using a NW or any other debit card through the online account management process. The sort code problem only appears to be an issue if you try to initiate the payment from your NW account as an electronic transfer. Virgin also confirmed that DD wasn't a problem from NW account.

EarthBoy

lxworld wrote: »

Virgin Money have no branches (that I know of)

Yes they have. They bought Northern Rock in 2012, so the former Northern Rock branches are now Virgin Money branches.

antinori

MisterBaxter wrote: »

Just had an email back from Virgin Money to confirm that payment can be made using a NW or any other debit card through the online account management process. The sort code problem only appears to be an issue if you try to initiate the payment from your NW account as an electronic transfer. Virgin also confirmed that DD wasn't a problem from NW account.

You are correct with the above info but why will it take Nationwide until "Possibly" February 2016 to recognise the sort code of Virgin Money? I can pay most people and companies in the UK using my Nationwide Internet account apart from Virgin Money - maybe NW don't like the competition! Please remember this is causing problems for lots of people 10k+

phillw

antinori wrote: »

You are correct with the above info but why will it take Nationwide until "Possibly" February 2016 to recognise the sort code of Virgin Money?

What do you mean by recognise? You are typing in the sort code and they reject it as invalid?

If so then I've seen sort codes used for validation (i.e. I see this is an HSBC sort code and they have 'n digit account numbers using 'x validation).

Banks aren't quick to push through software changes.

Nothing shows up in google. I'm amazed you're on MSE and only have one current account.