Citilink card - charged for balance transfer

globaldee

I recently singed up for a citibank 0% for 9 month interest free credit card. They asked me if I wanted to balance transfer but did not mention any charges. I have since got a £35 charge for a balance transfer. Their contract in very small print says, we may charge 2% for balance transfers but we will inform you if that is the case. I was never informed in any letter or any phone conversations. Where do I stand on not paying this fee I was not told about? I am annoyed as I have various cards and have never had such a charge before.

Clariman

globaldee wrote:

I recently singed up for a citibank 0% for 9 month interest free credit card. They asked me if I wanted to balance transfer but did not mention any charges. I have since got a £35 charge for a balance transfer. Their contract in very small print says, we may charge 2% for balance transfers but we will inform you if that is the case. I was never informed in any letter or any phone conversations. Where do I stand on not paying this fee I was not told about? I am annoyed as I have various cards and have never had such a charge before.

Hi globaldee,

Charges for Balance Transfers are getting much more common and many lenders have changed their Ts & Cs to state that they "may charge" for them. If you have not been informed that they were going to charge, I would call them immediately, explain that they had not informed you they were going to charge and ask them to remove it. If they refuse to, then ask them to show you when and where they did inform you of the charge. If they did not tell you, then you have a strong case. Before calling them it would be worth recollecting exactly how and when you requested the BT. For example, if you did it by phone, can you remember the date and time of the phone call or even the name of the person you spoke to. Did you request the BT online ? Did you get a confirmation email that did not mention any charge. Gather the info in advance then make the call. Be polite but firm.

You refer to their right to charge in the Ts & Cs as in "the very small print". Forget that. You signed a contract with Ts & Cs which you should have read in full before sending off. Yes, I know that not everyone does, but you did sign up to them. The size of the print is not relevant I am afraid. I don't think it adds to your case.

Clariman

globaldee

thanks for the reply. ive sent a letter highlighting the above possibility that i may be charged but would be informed. i also sent the letter about me getting bT and nowhere on it does it mention their charge. lets see how i get on.

i will no doubt have the phone info to if i look back at my bills.