Paying off credit cards - help needed

Busterallen

Back in May my husband and I remortgaged to repay our outstanding credit cards. We wrote to each credit card informing them that we were refinancing to pay off the credit cards and set out in the letter exactly how much we were going to pay to them to settle the account less any charges, interest etc as per the most recent statement.

By the time the credit cards received the money they had produced a further statement and started incurring further charges interest etc. Capital One played ball and acccepted what we paid and closed the accounts. Tesco took a few months but did exactly the same. However MBNA are refusing to do this. Every time we write to them we just get standard letters back with the usual blurb about how they think their charges are fair. Not once have they responded to our original letter accepting the payment in full and final settlement.

What should I do next as it is now getting boring and not only that but we have not made any further payments on the MBNA cards so this will have an effect on our credit ratings.

CLAPTON

If I understand you correctly you are saying that you have paid off the balance of two cards less 'unfair charges' and the associated interest and that these two companies have written to you to accept this as full payments.

Have to checked your credit files to see if they have marked your record accordingly?

However you are saying MBNA haven't agreed and so you have paid them nothing for several months... I'm assuming that you do actually owe them some money even after deducting the unfair charges.
I can't predict exactly how they will respond but by paying nothing you are breaking the T&Cs of your agreeement.
There is a danger that they will default the account and mark you credit files accordingly which will trash you credit record for 6 years.
I think you would be in a much stronger legal situation if you paid off the full amount and them made a claim against them for the charges in the small claims court.

Busterallen

No I actually paid them the amount on the statement less the charges - after checking I did not deduct any interest just the charges and the amount now outstanding is the charges plus additional interest and late payment charges issued by MBNA