Chased for payment by Debenhams

takman

littlerock wrote: »

At the end of September I bought a sweater from Debenhams for my holiday in October. The sales assistant said I would get a 10% discount if I signed up for a store card so I did, never actually intending to use it. I went on holiday from 8-22 October and the invoice arrived while I was away. I overlooked it on my return. The payment was due on 10 November.

This evening I got a call from someone claiming to represent Debenhams and asking to speak to me. I asked what it was about and she said she couldn't tell me without taking me through a series of security questions. When I asked to know the general topic she repeated she would have to ask me security questions first. As I had no way of knowing who she was I refused.

I then got out my Debenhams documents and realised I was 5 days late on paying my card (so much for the discount.....) Anyway I then got on the phone and paid off the entire amount. And cut up the card.

Its my fault of course. But why all the cloak and dagger stuff - would you answer a lot of security questions to a complete stranger who rings up to say they represent Debenhams? And why chase me for a minimum payment of £5 on a £50 bill when I have a credit limit on the card of £5000 (and an excellent credit rating overall)?

It serves me right of course. It is a Santander card and I would never use it as a credit card, if still in my right mind. I mean the APR is around 24%. How can they justify such a huge rate?. I am sorry for those desperate enough to have to pay that sort of interest.

If you came back on holiday on the 22nd of October you had plenty of time to read the letter and pay before the 10th November.

It's fair enough you didn't want to answer security questions but you could have always rang them back. Also they can't reveal any information unless they know that are speaking to the right person. Imagine if they went round revealing to people's friends and family that they can't even pay a £5 bill!.

Also I hope you have cancelled the account because cutting up the card does nothing lol.

Jeems

How's the sweater though, is it a good fit?

Stevie_Palimo

Jeems wrote: »

How's the sweater though, is it a good fit?

It is all about the DPA as already pointed out and the second part of if it was found out by others that you did not or could not pay such a small amount when having a very good meaningless credit rating then you would also be very upset.

I think the days of a Company must do x, y & z to keep a customer happy are long gone and people need to realise that there is not only very strict legislation in place now but also the fact that we are so online driven means that Companies cannot do right for wrong in certain circumstances either, Just suck it up and move on as the Syrians are having a hard time of it at present which is slightly more pressing than a issue of a phone call.

PeacefulWaters

nd why chase me for a minimum payment of £5 on a £50 bill when I have a credit limit on the card of £5000 (and an excellent credit rating overall)?

1. Because you owe them money.
2. Because new customers are highest risk.
3. Because your credit limit is totally irrelevant.
4. Because they are helping you to protect your allegedly excellent credit rating.

You messed up. Accept it. Move on.

Bogalot

Jeems wrote: »

How's the sweater though, is it a good fit?

Expensive

MrsTinks

As mentioned - this is all about DPA - we often enough have cases were the debt collectors don't follow the rules and we tend to judge them harshly. We can't go judging a company for actually following the rules. Agreed I wouldn't have given my answers either, but I would know the contact number on my account (and it's probably on the back of your card...) so you could have called them back. They would be used to this.

On the whole New Day in my experience is not one of the worst to deal with on a day to day basis - I too have the Debenhams card, I use it for spending to get vouchers. It's pretty easy to manage and set up your DD for to clear in full OR you can even buy on it in store and then immediately pay it off at the till - I do that if I'm actually shopping in store LOL It takes 2 seconds so you don't even hold up the queue much

thebigstillmeister

eddddy wrote: »

I think the OP's main point is that a 'stranger' phoned, the stranger was very cagey, and wanted the OP to answer 'secret' security questions.

...I agree, if someone calls me and starts asking security questions which is probably things like for my address, DOB, mothers maiden name etc they could be anyone,

Whats more likely, someone dodgy calling me to try and rip me off, or a burglar breaking in to my house and sitting next to my phone all day hoping someone will call so they can pretend to be me.

Security works both ways, if they can provide me with something whereby I can be more certain its not some random dodgy person then i'd be more inclined.

Otherwise i'll just say either write to me or I'll call back their main number and hangup.

bengal-stripe

littlerock wrote: »

And why chase me for a minimum payment of £5 on a £50 bill when I have a credit limit on the card of £5000 (and an excellent credit rating overall)?

That statement reminds me somehow of Leona Helmsley (1920-2007),
the "Queen of Mean":

"Only the little people pay taxes" (or in your case credit cards).

Missus_Hyde

I think the OP's main point is that a 'stranger' phoned, the stranger was very cagey, and wanted the OP to answer 'secret' security questions.
Originally posted by eddddy

thebigstillmeister wrote: »

...I agree, if someone calls me and starts asking security questions which is probably things like for my address, DOB, mothers maiden name etc they could be anyone,

Whats more likely, someone dodgy calling me to try and rip me off, or a burglar breaking in to my house and sitting next to my phone all day hoping someone will call so they can pretend to be me.

Security works both ways, if they can provide me with something whereby I can be more certain its not some random dodgy person.

I'm with the OP here; okay, it was a little careless to overlook the payment date, but I'm afraid I never answer security questions on the phone from any old Tom, Rick or Harry, who quite frankly could be anyone. These days far too many scammers ring up with all manner of unbelievable stories to try and get information from the unwary.

I would also probably do exactly what the OP did, check my statement and immediately pay the outstanding amount ( and set up a DD if I was going to use the card in the future; cutting it up is rather futile.)

engineertony

The attraction for littlerock was 10% discount for having a Debenhams storecard at 27% APR.
Immediately setting up a DD of min. payment would have avoided all this. Paying off in full normally avoids any interest charges.

Calling back any callers after a 5 min wait avoids most scammers. I never reveal anything other than my name to an unknown caller and before I call back I google the firm or "whocalledme" or "whose number is this" to check the number. I've even called a firm and asked did someone call this number five mins ago. When I'm sure I call them back.

Unfortunately it is up to consumers to be vigilant which is not good for the less well informed.
Simple rule for OPs...refuse all store cards.