Bizzarre credit card problem - don't ever confess to cashflow problems!

Badger_Lady

RANT ALERT

I've just had the weirdest conversation with Egg...

I have both Egg Money and Egg Card, have been a solid customer for a few years... this Spring / Summer I was asked to relocate for work, and had trouble pushing through the sale of my flat which meant I ended up paying new rent whilst still paying the old mortgage (no help from work), so I used the balance on my credit cards to help tide me over.

Money got very tight for a little while and I accidentally went £20 over my limits, but I knew the money would be coming in for the flat soon, so I called Egg to explain and ask for a temporary credit limit increase.

Now, I was a bit distracted packing boxes at the time, but Egg Girl told me no, I couldn't have a limit increase, and I should continue paying my minimum payments for 3 months. Of course?!? In fact, I got straight on the internet and transferred £100 from another card to bring me back within limits.

What I didn't know was, Egg Girl had classed me as "in arrears" and had set up an "arrangement". She had cancelled my direct debit (without my knowledge), blocked my cards, and set up the system to take 3 monthly payments of £30 to bring me back in line (which was unnecessary cos I'd already brought myself back in line).

So, last week I got an email saying "you have missed a payment", to which I replied "no I haven't, you've failed to request a payment, there's plenty of money in my account", and yesterday I got a letter entitled "Default Notice" which said I could be referred to a collection agency for the amount of £30 because my credit limit is £1,500 and my balance is £1,400!!! !!!!!!???

It took a good hour on the telephone to Egg Girl 2 to sort all this out - my direct debit was reinstated (but I also had to make a card payment for the month that was missed when it was cancelled, and incurred a late payment fee), and we agreed that I didn't owe them anything and the default notice was ridiculous.

All this happened just because I contacted them and was honest about my circumstances. If I'd ignored the problem and continued as normal, my direct debit would have been taken and everything would be fine.

So, if anyone ever says they're going to "help you with your cashflow problem", make sure they don't set up an "arrangement"!!! They don't help.

RANT OVER

Stephen_Leak

Whilst I would never condone lying to banks and CCC's, I would strongly recommend being "economical with the truth".

The "rules of engagement" for business and personal telephone calls are totally different: I still get told off by friends and family for using the business rules regardless!

custardy

yup when my financial life imploded i did the thing they always tell you to do.
i went and saw them to be told they couldnt help me!!
leason learned

Dylanwing

Ditto - I did all the things that the smug PR guys tell you to do, and the rottweilers were set on me.

Badger_Lady

RANT RESTARTED

Just had a secure message from Egg saying:

"Egg would not have suspended your direct debit, because it's written in your terms and conditions that you must have an active direct debit at all times. Thank you and goodbye."

I don't care whether they "would have" cancelled by direct debit, THEY DID CANCEL IT!!!!!

And, when it takes 5 days to respond to a message, couldn't they check their facts first????

STILL FUMING

Sorry, I can see this getting moved to the Vent board - I digress as I get angrier...