Credit card issue - whose to blame?

cmrule

I'm having a few problems with Barclays and am hoping someone can give me some advice.
I don't use my credit card very often and when I do I pay it off so the account it at zero before I have to pay any interest.
In July I used my credit card to hire a car in France without any problems, and I paid this off in full so the balance was back to zero.
A week ago I received several phone calls from mercer (debt collection) saying that I had 2 weeks to pay off an unpaid debt of just under £80. £80 I had no idea about.
It turns out that europcar had charged an extra £15 to my credit card and haven't told me about it. This wouldn't have been a problem but I haven't received any statements from Barclays saying I owe them £15 (plus interest since August).
Mercer asked if I have moved house since all my statements had been returned to Barclays. But I haven't moved house so there is no reason as to why none of the statements have reached me. One going missing I could accept but all of them and all warning letters is a bit strange. The odd thing is that less than 24 hours after speaking to mercer I received a letter from barclays saying they are reducing my credit limit because I failed to make any repayments since August. So how has this letter managed to get through but no statements???
I have paid the debt off in full but I am more worried about how it has affected my credit rating.
I very annoyed as I don't believe its my fault. Is there anything I can do about this?
I've spoken to barclays on the phone and they just fobbed me off with writing to head office (which I will do). Mercer just blamed the postman.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Zebedee69

Get onto head office straight away. Also check your credit file as there might be a late payment marker on it now. Did you have a DD set for the minimum each month? This is good moneysaving sense as if you dont owe anything then the minumum is 0 but if you do have even £1 on your card atleast your covered for late payments.

You mention you never borrow with the card and have never had any charges to it.......... The realist in me said your the worst customer they can have ie: You make them no money lol! Could they be looking to give you the finger to make way for another customer who likes getting into debt..................

Get onto head office anyway, and im sure others will be along with letters and stuff to send:D

cmrule

Zebedee69 wrote: »

Get onto head office anyway, and im sure others will be along with letters and stuff to send:D

Thanks for the reply Zebedee, much appreciated.
In hindsight I am a bit of a fool for not setting up minimum payments! I've always been pretty strict with repaying them straight away. I have set up it up just in case it ever happens again.

I will start writing a letter to head office now. I have also signed up to experian so I can check my credit records.. I am tempted to delay sending the letter until I get my report from experian (need to wait a couple of days for the passcode to arrive).. although I imagine its going to take more than one letter to Barclays!

Thanks again. If anyone else has had similar problems I would be interested to hear if you got them resolved.

exel1966

If Barclays are at fault they are obliged to notify the CRA's to amend your payment history. I'd wait til you receive your report before tackling Barclays. In the meantime you can also ask Experian to put a note (in your own words )on your record explaining that you are disputing the information held.
This being such a serious matter as it has many knock-on effects I would be expecting an apology along with a little something for your trouble.

cmrule

Thanks exel1966. I will wait until I can check my credit rating, and then hopefully, at the very least, get this changed even if I dont get the £80 back.
I want to close the account but will wait until everything is sorted.

Cheers :beer:

s1h

Strange as I would of thought for it to go to Mercers Debt recovery then the account wouldn't still be "live" ie it is strange that its with a debt recovery agency but you are getting letters saying credit limit reduced.

cmrule

s1h wrote: »

Strange as I would of thought for it to go to Mercers Debt recovery then the account wouldn't still be "live" ie it is strange that its with a debt recovery agency but you are getting letters saying credit limit reduced.

Yes I hadnt thought of that before. Unless mercers reactivated my account - but then for the letter to get there from barclays the next morning saying my credit limit has been reduced would be very efficient on barclays part... I don't think it would happen that quickly would it?