Help!halifax Credit Card!

Morganmoo

HI Everyone
Well was shocked to get home tonight and find 3 messages on my Answerphone from the above bank, asking me to phone ASAP, very worried of course, apparently I am in arrears with my Credit card, a new one to get the 0% on balance transfers, I thought I had arranged a Direct Debit, but was rudely told by an advisor I hadn't! But haven't had any credit card statements to show what I need to pay and by what date(hence late payment), although I have access to this information online are they not legally bound to send a statement? Maybe a bank person maybe able to help with that one??
Anyway paid the arrears and £12 fee! But am mortified never miss a payment on anything always manage to pay the min amounts. Has/does this happen to anyone else?
Set up DD now so it won't happen again, but felt unable to discuss my issues with telephone staff as she was so rude and stand offish, therefore I am turning to the other MSE's for help.
Thanks in advance

YorkshireBoy

Have they also withdrawn your 0% rate? From your T&C's...

We may apply the standard interest rate to balance transfers or purchases before the end of the special promotion period if in any month you do not make at least your minimum payment by the payment date or if you exceed your credit limit at any time.

The T&C's also say...

2.2 We will send you a monthly statement...

Of course, they may have 'sent' one and it's gone astray in the post?

At the end of the day though, you'll have to make contact with them to a) find out if your 0% rate is still intact, and b) to formally complain that you haven't received (or been sent) a statement.

They may well say that, after 4-6 weeks had passed why didn't you take up the matter with them...especially since you say you have online access.

Morganmoo

Will Have to check that one out, hadn't really thought about it, so thanks I will phone again and hope I get someone to speak to that is helpful. And also query the statement situation.
Cheers!!:D

DestroyingAngel_2

It's not your fault you didn't get a statement and therefore didn't make that payment. If it's a new card and you've just done a BT at 0% on it, you really want to preserve the 0% APR; most banks will turn off that promotion if you're late with a payment, but again most banks will refund the late fee and turn on the promotion again if you're a new customer and have a valid reason for not making a payment in time. Speak to the bank and ask for 1) a refund on the late fee and 2) to turn on the promotion again if they've turned it off.

Statements can go astray for a number of reasons, the most worrying of which could be your post has been intercepted by would-be fraudsters. Keep a note of any further statements that you don't receive, and if you're at all concerned that your identity may have been "stolen", consider taking out some form of identity protection to cover yourself.

Also consider setting up a DD with the credit card company, so you'll never miss any payments or be late again.

CannyJock

DestroyingAngel wrote: »

It's not your fault you didn't get a statement and therefore didn't make that payment.

Without a DD in place, the card company will take the line that the card holder is responsible for making payments by the required dates and allowing for the standard clearing times they quote in their T&C's - even if you don't receive the statement they expect you to know that you have a balance on the card that needs repaid.

Agree with all the rest though, definitely setup a DD for the minimum and make additional payments if you're looking to repay the card in full.

You'll need to ask nicely to get the 0% reinstated though. If they definitely won't budge then you need to either repay the card or find somewhere else to transfer the balance on to.

Morganmoo

Many Thanks everyone, you have all been really kind to me, I know I feel really stupid am usually good at keeping up with whats due and when! Am going to wait for the arrear payment to go through first which is about 4-5 days and then contact them. At the moment when I phone they put me straight through to the late payments dept and their unhelpful staff.
May just have to put it down to experience and as you say if they remove the 0% deal and won't re-instate it, will look elsewhere-if anyone wants me now!
Thank You All.;)