Does this sound genuine?

Carlsdad

Because of the appalling service and support, I closed my Capital One credit card account about 18 months ago. I never activated my new card when it arrived at the time, and it still remains so. Today I received a text from them telling me that I still had an outstanding debt of some kind (they didn't mention the amount) and if it wasn't paid by tomorrow, I would receive a £12 penalty. I'm wondering if this might be some sort of scam. I don't know how to answer text messages (86 years old!). Is it wise to just leave things as they are? The message reads, "Heads up-a payment is due on your /Capital one card ending xxxx.Pay by 14/2/21 to avoid a £14. fee. Paid already? Thanks, ignore this.

ilikewatch2

Don't worry about answering the text message - they almost certainly can't receive replies anyway, it will be a service just used to send reminders.
I would suggest you find the customer services number on their website (so you know you're talking to the real organisation) and give them a call to discuss - it could be that you had a Continuous Payment Authority in place and a payment has been applied to your account which needs addressing.

jimjames

It certainly doesn't sound like a scam, just a normal payment reminder. Far better to do that than charge you fees without letting you know. Surprised you didnt get a statement though?

MovingForwards

A scam would have a link or phone number to call. It does just sound like a payment reminder.

Perhaps phone cap one and double check, also make sure your account was closed as if there's a balance, it can't be closed.

Carlsdad

Thanks. Difficulty in contacting them was one of the main reasons I finished with them. I paid off my balance in full and ensured that it had a nil balance. That was about 18 months ago.  I'll have a try, later today.

Emmia

If / once you have a nil balance, I'd formally close the card to avoid any more issues of this type - it sounds like you don't need / use the card.

Sandtree

Carlsdad said:

Thanks. Difficulty in contacting them was one of the main reasons I finished with them. I paid off my balance in full and ensured that it had a nil balance. That was about 18 months ago.  I'll have a try, later today.

The issue can be Continuous Payment Authorities.

If they have actually closed your account then nothing to worry about etc however the fact you mentioned receiving a new card may suggest your account is dormant rather than closed. 

Lots of people buy insurance and subscriptions using a credit card and not reading the T&Cs agree to a continuous payment authority meaning that the merchant can renew your subscription/insurance etc automatically and take the payment from the credit card without needing to ask your explicit permission. This would fail on a closed account but would go through on a dormant account.... CPAs don't need to use the latest card number etc to go through.