Barclaycard reduced credit limit past outstanding balance.

jen342

Evening all, was wondering if anyone else has experienced a similar situation. Like lots of people I got a letter from Barclaycard saying they were reducing my limit to £1000 (from £7100) and then one month later would close account due to the fact I’d not used it for several months - I have good credit rating and no previous missed payments. Unfortunately I misplaced the letter with the code to text saying I wanted the card to remain as is. Tried to call them to discuss numerous times unsuccessfully, spoke to someone in webchat who couldn’t help so decided to transfer a balance from another card to keep account open and take 0% deal I had on the Barclaycard at that time.

 I transferred using Barclays app and amount was within the limit shown. A few days later got my Barclaycard statement saying that I’m now over my limit by just over 4k - the reduction to my credit limit proceeded the day after I transferred the balance. 

Have raised a complaint through their messaging service and they have replied saying there is nothing they can do, and they won’t adjust credit limit now as I’m over my limit. Apparently deadline for saying I wanted limit to remain was 3 days prior to me transferring the balance even if limit didn’t reduce until the day after I’d transferred. 

I’m now in position where this is going to affect my credit rating and if I do transfer to another card I’ve racked up around £100 in transfer fees with Barclaycard! Their customer service has been appalling right now with 2 hour waits on the phone and a secure messaging service that only works intermittently.

Am going to write back to them but just wanted to see if anyone had been in this situation and if anyone can offer advice before I do so?

thank you! 

D3xt3r5L4b

So why didn’t you make the transfer earlier? You seemed to know when the deadline was. 

jen342

Hello, 

As I said, unfortunately I misplaced the letter with the date and code to text them. I transferred through their app and checked the available credit limit before doing so. I’ve had confirmation of the date from them since raising a complaint. 

D3xt3r5L4b

I don’t see how this is entirely their fault.
You “misplaced” the letter and then left things to the last minute to action. 

jen342

Hello, I’m really asking about one specific issue. My credit limit was reduced after I’d used the card and I’m interested in whether anyone else has had a similar experience. I’m not looking for comments on my organisational skills or whether or not I really did “misplace” a letter but thanks for taking the time out of your evening to comment regardless 👍🏻 

[Deleted User]

You're entirely reliant on goodwill.

Intentionally increasing the balance above your new limit was a very poor idea. Do whatever you can to get the balance back below your limit.

jen342

Thanks for your reply. Am now looking at options to reduce limit back down as soon as possible. I only transferred the balance as I wanted the account to stay open and had been unable to get through to them on the phone - I did remember letter said to use the card if I wanted things to stay as they were.  Mistake was I did so couple of days after the deadline to contact them but before they actually reduced my balance which is what I’m querying with them. With hindsight yes, I do understand was not a good decision.  

jonesMUFCforever

You should be speaking to Barclaycard - they are the only ones who can help you.
Speculation from posts on here are not going to help.

SuperAllyB

I agree telephone wait times are horrendous at the moment but I've secure messaged BC a few times lately and always had a reply within 24 hours.

jen342

Have managed to get through on the phone a couple of times after long waits but no one seems to know what to do and end up getting passed round departments. Like I said, just seeing if anyone else has experienced similar. Will give secure messaging another bash. Thanks for the suggestion and replies both 👍🏻 

collins74

I used to be with Barclaycard up to 12 months ago. I found their customer service to be excellent and they would rather give a compensation payment than keep a complaint open and subject to going to the financial ombudsman. Have you spoken to a UK officer over this? Barclaycard’s main contact centre is in India I believe but they have limited decision making. I would ring Monday to Friday and insist on making another complaint and speaking to someone who makes decisions around credit limits. That should get you through to the UK centre and they do seem to have more flexibility over accounts and they may be able to reverse the decision.