Halifax Credit Card Problems pls help

PrincessC

Hi
I wonder if anyone can help me. A few years ago I had a credit card with Halifax, as well as a current account with them. I had an outstanding balance of around £500 that I couldnt afford to pay back and stupidly just ignored the debt.
I have since moved, and noticed that the Halifax account was still open so I popped into a branch to start using the account again. I told them my new address, and they issued me with a bank card and a new cheque book etc.
Well today I have had £44.93 taken out of my Halifax account, and so I called their call centre to ask what it was.
Apparently, its a charge from a debt company who has taken on my credit card debt, and according to the advisor, they have permission to take money from my account, as and when they feel like it, for how much they feel like!
I was gobsmacked that they could do this, and she told me it was in the terms and conditions either of my credit card, or my bank account!
Can anyone inform me that they are actually allowed to do this? Also, I am on benefits, I don't have £44 to pay out in one lump sum, they have left me in financial distress, im actually considering not using the account so I don't have to pay back so much.
I dont mind paying the debt off, I would just appreciate it to be on my terms, and for an amount I can afford!
Any help would be much appreciated.

NickX

Yes they can do this, and yes it is written in the Terms and Conditions.

Your mistake was to start using Halifax for day to day banking again.

If you had used a different Bank then Halifax would not have been able to touch it to claim repayment of the previous debt.

DCAs (Debt Collection Agencies) will use all sorts of underhand tactics to obtain payment.

PrincessC

Thanks for your swift response. I will get onto changing accounts tommorrow, I did tell the call centre woman on the phone that I wouldnt be using the account again! (Not that it made any difference).. thanks once again for replying so quickly!