bereaved

Bedlington2

Hi my mum's has just been bereaved and the credit card she had used for years been stopped because it was in my dad's name. They always page everything off each month but it was very usesfull a she always used it for on-line shopping. The credit card was from the coop which is where their joint, now changed to her bank account is with. The were very unhelpful and said she must just apply in her own name. I used this site to do a check to see where she would be most likely to be accepted and the applied for her on line to M&S only to be turned down. I am worried that I may have spoilt her credit rating and don't know what to try next?

DCFC79

1. You haven't spoilt anything as no 1 else can see the credit rating.

2. Maybe its a good idea to see what is exactly on her credit files with the 3 credit agencies.

Bedlington2

Thanks will do.

Nebulous2

M&S have a reputation for being picky. Despite your annoyance at the co-op, due to their lack of sensitivity, they may be your best bet.

People with limited credit history are often recommended to apply to their own bank first, or else to go for a credit building card.

Ben8282

If they have maintained a joint current account with the co-op for some time then they are definitely the best place to start. Unfortunately, as joint credit card accounts don't exist and the credit card was in your Father's name, your Mum will need to make a new application in her own name. The bank were not necessarily rude in saying this; they were just telling you the reality of the situation. Did they give any indication of the likelihood of such an application being successful?
The one hard search has not spoilt her credit rating but too many searches in a small space of time will. If the co-op can't help, try a less picky credit card provider.

Brock_and_Roll

I have been through this myself when my own father died suddenly - the only access my mother had to any money whatsoever was via a card in his name, which was stopped.


To be fair to the banks, they have no choice other than to stop a card in such circumstances, otherwise they would be breaking the law.


At the point of death, a deceased assets & liabilities are frozen and become the responsibility of the Executor - a dead person cannot trade or enter into contracts which in effect what happens every time you use a card to buy something in a shop or online.


Luckily in my case the bereavement department of the bank very helpful and it did not take long to open up new accounts in my mothers name.

Mojisola

Bedlington2 wrote: »

Hi my mum's has just been bereaved and the credit card she had used for years been stopped because it was in my dad's name.

Brock_and_Roll wrote: »

I have been through this myself when my own father died suddenly - the only access my mother had to any money whatsoever was via a card in his name, which was stopped.

Good lessons for other couples to make sure that they both have access to money and credit should one of them become incapacitated or die.

Marmaduke123

Mojisola wrote: »

Good lessons for other couples to make sure that they both have access to money and credit should one of them become incapacitated or die.

Yes, this happened to my sister nearly 30 years ago now, when her husband died. She hadn't even considered the credit card situation in spite of being a very competent and organised person. She continued to use the card until it was declined in a shop, rather embarrassingly.

We've made sure since then that we each have a card in our own name, with the other as a registered user. Main bank accounts are in joint names, and some savings, but quite a few other accounts are in single names.