Tesco Credit Card - Notice Of Arrears

DGLTD

I have come home tonight and had a notice of arrears from Tesco Bank for my Tesco Credit Card.

They are saying that for the last 2 months I haven't made the minimum payments but I believe I have. I have not been charged any late payment fees by them or any interest at all. My promotional rates of 0% are still intact which I though were stopped if I had a late payment.

So they send me a notification on the 27th June that I have a new statement, I pay over the minimum payment that evening.

The same on the 27th July a new statement raised and I pay over the minimum payment that evening.

As I have paid after the statement has been raised I think I am in the right?

I think the issue is I am paying on the date the statement is raised. But surely other people must do this. I haven't always done this it is something recent to ensure I pay on time.

I will ring them in the morning but they have mightily annoyed me. Not the first time I had an issue with them I had one a while ago about them charging me interest because I underpaid by a penny...which again was their issue as I paid the exact amount that was on the statement.

OutdoorQueen

Does the statement for July show the payment you made on 27 June? I would also check the statement received in August to ensure it shows your payment on 27 July.   Is there a chance the payments have not been authorised for some reason?  Does the account you made payment from show money being paid to Tesco Credit Card?

 I think you are given a reference code when you make payment.  If you have these, it would be worth quoting them when you call.  

DGLTD

The statements are all fine and show the payments in the correct statement. The statement for July shows the payment made on the 27th June and the statement for August shows the payment made on the 27th July.

I phoned Tesco and they said that if you make the payment on the statement date after the statement is produced. It is fine for your account and doesn't put you into arrears but the system which produces the Notice of Arrears letter can't cope with it and sends out the letter.  

I have been told that to stop the letters in future I need to make payment the day after the statement is raised. 

Nothing has been flagged to my credit file and there is no issue, it is just the way their systems work. Which I think is wrong. I can see someone else raised an identical complaint with the Financial Ombudsman last year.

I have raised a complaint with them as I feel this is wrong. The amount of upset these type of letters cause can not be underestimated.

Brie

I completely get your reason for being upset - I would be too.  I hate those "well that's how our system works" excuses as if that means it's ok. 

To save hassles in the future why not set up a direct debit?  That way there's no fuss and you don't have to do extra.  You should set it up to at least be the minimum but chances are you could alternatively set a fixed amount which will make it easier for budgeting too.  In the past I've tended to set an amount rounded up from the minimum or at an amount I know will clear the balance by the time the offer expires.  

If you don't want to set up a DD you could do a standing order which keeps you in control.