£12 late fee despite having DD set up!

JoshyBoy_2

Every year I purchase a football season ticket via a specialist credit card from Creation, which basically allows me to spread the cost over 12 months interest free. This month the first payment was supposed to be made via DD. It wasn’t. And I have been charged a £12 late payment fee.

The DD has been set up for quite some time now as I’ve used it for years. I’ve just checked my online banking and the DD is showing. I’ve checked the Creation site and when I try to ‘set up a DD’ it says ‘DD already set up’.

I’ve phoned Creation and they inform me that the bank have cancelled the DD as it’s been inactive for 6 months – which sounds about right. However I’ve never previously had this issue nor have I had notification from my bank that it’s stopped.

My issue isn’t the £12, although I’d rather have that than not! But how do I go about removing this from my credit history? As either my bank or Creation have made the error. Not me.

Very angry!

TadleyBaggie

Is there anything actually on your credit history?

JoshyBoy_2

Wouldn't a late payment show?

National_Debtline

Hi JoshyBoy

The first thing to do is check is your credit file, it’s worth checking it with all 3 credit reference agencies as they can show different information. Depending how recently the late payment was it may not be showing yet, credit files are updated once a month.

The problem is information from your credit file will not be removed if it is factually correct. If anything has been registered regarding the late payment you would only be able to appeal to Creation’s discretion to change or remove it. You could however add a notice of correction. That’s where you are allowed to add up to 200 words to explain why something is on your credit file.

On another note you need to check the terms of the interest free period, as usually if you default it results in any offers being cancelled and reverts to standard rates of interest.

Susie
@natdebtline

Candyapple

National_Debtline wrote: »

Hi JoshyBoy

The first thing to do is check is your credit file, it’s worth checking it with all 3 credit reference agencies as they can show different information. Depending how recently the late payment was it may not be showing yet, credit files are updated once a month.

The problem is information from your credit file will not be removed if it is factually correct. If anything has been registered regarding the late payment you would only be able to appeal to Creation’s discretion to change or remove it. You could however add a notice of correction. That’s where you are allowed to add up to 200 words to explain why something is on your credit file.

On another note you need to check the terms of the interest free period, as usually if you default it results in any offers being cancelled and reverts to standard rates of interest.

Susie
@natdebtline

Everything else spot on but bit in bold is bad advice. OP definitely don't do this. A notice of correction for something so minor would cause you far more harm than good and would also mean that any application you make in the future will automatically be referred.

Call Creation and ask for £12 fee to be refunded - if it's your first time they should do this. I wouldn't bother asking their phone reps about if you'll get a late payment marker, they are a bunch of dunces and that's putting it politely. Just obtain copies of all 3 of your reports and keep an eye on next month's updates.

If it has been reported as a late payment well there's nothing you can do as it is factual reporting. One small blip shouldn't make much of a difference to an otherwise good credit history - perhaps just avoid applying for anything for next 6 months.

The free versions to check your credit files are below:
Experian: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub
Equifax: https://www.clearscore.com
Call Credit: https://www.noddle.co.uk

JoshyBoy_2

After 40 minutes on the phone to Creation arguing this, I've managed to get the £12 refunded and have received assurances that the late payment won't be reported. Whether that holds true or not, we'll see.

I definitely have a DD set up, I've double checked in my local branch. I am amazed that they have failed to take a payment, and then penalise me for it!