HBOS credit card problem

portygirl

I attempted to use my HBOS credit card today for the 1st time. It is 0% for a year card & I transferred a balance on to it in January. I currently have a balance on it but no other debts apart from a joint mortgage with DH which has always been paid timeously.
The card was refused today. On phoning HBOS they said a stop had been placed on purchases since 13/03/08 as they had been informed by a debt collection agency that I have been placed on a payment plan after a financial assessment.I have paid more than the minimum balance on time each month.I have received no communication regarding this & I am now unable to access my online account-just says contact Albion Collections.I am very concerned about this as I have stated previously I have no other outstanding debts. I have been given a phone number & ref with which to contact the collection agency but it does not open until Monday. The guy from HBOS said it may just be a mistake on their part. I am extremely worried this may affect my credit worthiness in the future.I am asking for advice here as I am finding it difficult to wait till Monday.
Thank you in advance.

GeorgeUK

Not come across this before, but 2 things i would check in the meantime.

Can you access your credit report? (free at experian if you cancel within 30 days and haven't already taken advantage of this offer) and check if there is anything flagged up on your credit history?

Do you have or have you had a joint account with anyone? Could that be still active and your credit file is linked with someone that is in difficulty?

Your say you transferred a balance to the card. You are aware that any card you use for 0% BT's should not be used for purchases? Many cards offer 0% BT for 12 months and 0% on purchases for 3 months. This means that after 3 months, you will be paying off the debt that is at 0% and anything you have purchased will be incurring interest until the full BT amount is paid off or the 0% ends and the full debt will be incurring interest? Thought i should point that out - just incase.

portygirl

Thanks for replying George,
Credit history should be fine & I have another credit card which I use like a debit card - this is paid in full each month ( Tesco- for clubcard points ).I have no joint account linked to any debts. I have only ever had small balances on credit cards, have never defaulted on paying anything, ever.I am a bit debt phobic ( grew up in the sixties/seventies when everything was saved for ) & as I'm so anxious about this I was tempted just to try & pay full balance today. This however does not solve the problem. If it is a mistake by HBOS I will be expecting a written apology. Otherwise must be the collection agency-maybe they have confused my credit card no with someone elses- you would think they would check, name,address etc. too, though.
I do know about 0% & have 0% on purcheses for 1 year too with this card.

GeorgeUK

From what you have said, the bank seem to be reacting to whatever this DCA has put onto your credit file. If you haven't looked at it for a while, it may be worth doing so incase someone has taken credit out in your name. That would be my main concern right now.

Otherwise, the DCA has screwed up royally, could be fishing to try to assign someone elses debt to you - some try this, but not in this fashion. Usually they send a letter but it seems that you haven't heard anthing from this DCA so not too sure why something would appear on your credit record. Have you changed address in the last 6 years?

Most of the advice given when receiving a letter from a DCA is that you shouldn't call then because as soon as they get your number, will be constantly calling you. I realise this is not the same, but if possible i'd try to either contact them on a payphone (not at work or home) or try to get your number withheld when making the call.

If you're on BT, i think this does it: http://www.telephonesuk.co.uk/network_codes.htm#BTCID
not too sure though.

helenshappyhens

to withhold your number when phoning someone just key in 141 then the phone number you want.

portygirl

Last time I moved house was 8 years ago.I will phone using the 141 prefix as I had not thought of that. I am concerned that it might be much more difficult to undo this than just a phone call. Of course once I have phoned DCA I will be clearer about the situation.
Thanks again.

portygirl

As an update I have checked with Experian & my credit score is 999 so definately ok. The card concerned is showing with the balance outstanding & 3x green payment up to date scorings. In the whole report there is only one yellow 1 month late payment which was a previous CC payment that was late due to a bank holiday- I always use internet banking for payments & forgot to make an allowance for bank holiday.This was a Barclaycard & they agreed to waive late payment fee & allowed me to continue on 0% due to circumstances. At least does not look like someone has stolen my ID which is reassuring. If only HBOS could sort this today & ease my nerves.

Bismarck

Good news re the report - sounds like crossed wires somewhere that will be sorted out - hopefully tomorrow. You have my sympathies - my guess is it's the DCA that's messed up...wouldn't be the first time!