Halifax Credit Card-Amusing!!

Scousebird_2

Hi guys and dolls,

I had to laugh at this one today-i've been helping my partner consolodate his dregs of balances on a few different interest accruing CC's-it only amounts to a few hundred pounds but they were just annoying not being in one place.
He has had a halifax CC for last few years and he has been paying the minimum and although he could prob afford more, he has just been paying it off and has had no concerns and has been happy-anyway, he is moving his current account over to HSBC where I bank so we can deal with our bills by transfer rarther than having to draw money from his existing bank (who we've had disappointing treatment from) and the direct debit for his Halifax card was on the account we are arranging to close for £5 per month.

His statement date is the 7th of each month, but I arranged to pay April's statement on 21st March (about 2 weeks early)-I actually overpaid (just in case I miscalulated the interest) and when I checked the account at the end of March online-the account was showing as £0.00.

So we trots down to the bank to cancel the Direct Debit and make arrangements to close the current accounts down (but we have left the account open for one more week as we need to get salary paid in then it's going to be shut down).

So the statement comes for the 7th April and sure enough-it shows as a credit balance (money due to us) and minimum payment due £0.00! Fab-all done and now all we need to do is write or phone to have the account settled and we can get rid of card right?????

NO THIS IS HALIFAX WE ARE DEALING WITH-LOL

They have sent a letter dated 3rd April telling us that we have been charged a £12 admin fee because the DD was returned unpaid (they claimed £5)-I had to laugh...I rang (with my OH there of course) and asked the gentlemen if a credit card that is already in credit needs paying (as it's not a current account and I we don't get interest if it's in credit) so why did they claim the DD for one when they shouldn't of and secondly...what makes them think we are going to pay a charge for money they owe us!!!!

ANYWAY-when I spoke to the lad on the phone, he was a bit indecisive as to whether there would be a charge on the account and I think he agreed that there shouldn't be one-he did say that if we were to be charged then it would be on there by now-so on that note, I asked for advice on closing...apparently you can't do it on Sundays and you have to ring between 9am and 9pm Mon-Fri....I don't seem to remember that being the rule when you apply to open the account but hey-sod's law....!!

Just thought i'd share this with you all...just think how much money they make if they did that to every customer and how much money would be in their pockets if we didn't highlight these things to them-not very good eh!!

johnmoney05

Scousebird wrote: »

His statement date is the 7th of each month, but I arranged to pay April's statement on 21st March (about 2 weeks early)-I actually overpaid (just in case I miscalulated the interest) and when I checked the account at the end of March online-the account was showing as £0.00.

What did it say on the 7th March statement about the DD payment? Some company (I think), they would say "no matter what payment you make with your account, your minimum DD payment will be collected on xxx date."
Some would say "if you make xxx payment on your account, the DD payment will be less the payment you made."

So you need to check the statement and see what it said.

Scousebird_2

I checked the statement and it said 'min payment due £0.00-so they should never of claimed-or at least not penalised us for the return-they actually credited the statement and then reversed it-if they choose to credit the statement before the cash actually hits the account then that's their problem really. But they shouldn't of claimed in the 1st place as there was nothing owing. I was asked why we cancelled the DD and I explained that we were sending a letter to close account-i'm ready to post the letter now as it's sitting by the front door but the man on phone said we could just ring 2moro. I just think that it's a silly thing they have done when the min payment due was £0.00 and we have the account set up for the min pay each month-in the past it's been £5.00 but this time round it should be £0.00-so they can't claim £0.00...therefore there should be no reason why we're charged because they attempted to claim money that wasn't owed to then if you get me.

It's just daft isn't it!
They have just tried to claim a fiver without looking at the statement-the balance shows as £4.84CR and correction to last post-the payment received that showed the credit for full balance was on 18th March.

So the statement reads

Balance Brought Forward £100.16
18Mar Payment Rec'd- Thank You £105.00
01 Apr Direct Debit Thank You £5.00

£9.84CR

02 Apr Payment Reversal £5.00

And the statement shows as credit limit £1250, available balance £1254-minimum payment of £0.00 to reach account by 02/05/2008-so it's recognised for May but disregarded April-very silly accounting!

ShelfStacker_3

When I closed my Aqua card (run by Halifax), they overcharged me by about a quid on the debit card payment and then had to be badgered into sending a cheque for the difference.

Idiots.

Scousebird_2

ShelfStacker wrote: »

When I closed my Aqua card (run by Halifax), they overcharged me by about a quid on the debit card payment and then had to be badgered into sending a cheque for the difference.

Idiots.

I had a feeling this card would give us problems. He has an account will Egg that we did exactly the same on that and they have the sense not to claim!!

Tom_Saunders

As Take That would say 'Things.....can only get better'!!!

when did Take that say that ? I thought that ws D ream ?

Scousebird_2

Tom_Saunders wrote: »

As Take That would say 'Things.....can only get better'!!!

when did Take that say that ? I thought that ws D ream ?

Hahahahaha!!! You are right-I had to Wikipedia it!!

I will amend-what a muppet I am!! Lol xx

Maybe Take That should of done it!! There's a little brainwave (back in 1997 it would of fit into the genre as well-lol)...i'm in the wrong job!!

As an ex member of staff for HMV I am very very ashamed!!

Tom_Saunders

I know the words to every Take That song, sad I know but we all have our crosses to bare. No need to thank me ..........

Scousebird_2

Tom_Saunders wrote: »

I know the words to every Take That song, sad I know but we all have our crosses to bare. No need to thank me ..........

Stops me looking like a fool though!! Lol

jamalfatty

What they have actually done is correct and there are numerous other threads on this subject. When setting up the DD, you agreed that they would collect the required amount as shown on your statement on your payment due date unless you tell them otherwise. Banks cannot second guess peoples intentions so they have done exactly what you instructed them to do.
Common sense says they shouldnt charge you but they are well within their rights to if they wanted.