Capital One CC - block refused

TomSwizz wrote: »

Hi, back in 2015 (5/12/15) I contacted Capital One via their online message system about a block being placed on my account, so I can only pay off the balance owed and not get myself into further debt. This block was refused. When I first opened my account, the credit limit was £200. This was then later increased to £800, which was automatic, not requested by me. Unfortunately, I have been 'blessed' with a diagnosis of bipolar when I was 16 or 17. I am now 29. When I become ill - either manic or depressed - I tend to do a lot of online gambing, and yep, you guessed it, out comes the credit card! Being ill, at the time I do not think that using the credit card will push me further and further into debt. And on the rare occasion that I may fleetingly consider the fact that using the card to gamble is a bad idea, I do not care, as I am ill and sensible thoughts do not tend to enter my brain when I am in this state.
Now, the problem is, if this request had been accepted back in 2015, I believe that by now I would owe nothing to Capital One. Which brings me onto my second point - I have just rang them about 10 minutes ago, requesting that a block be put on my account so I cannot use it, only pay off part of the balance every month until it is cleared. Strangely enough, and much to my surprise, this was INSTANTLY accepted by the nice Indian lady on the phone - no questions asked! Which brings me onto my final point - would I have any sort of legal ground to have my current balance 'wiped off' so to speak? As I previously asked them if my account could be blocked to only pay off what is owed, this request being denied? Getting this credit card has had to be one of the biggest mistakes in my life, yes it has bought me a few moments of brief happiness when I have used it to gamble and actually won money, but ultimately all it has done has caused me more depression and worry. Below is a copy and paste of the message I sent back in 2015 (name edited out for obvious reasons).


Date Submitted
05-12-2015 Status Completed Subject Other Message Hi, can you please place a block on my credit card? I would like this to be forever, so I cannot use it anymore, and only pay off my balance. Thanks. Memo Thank you for your message.

Please note we'll not be able to block your account as you requested and I'm sorry for any disappointment this may cause you. Also note we'll only be able to close your account when the outstanding balance is paid off in full.

Also note the balance of your account at the close of business yesterday was £881.62, which is over your credit limit of £800. And because your balance continues to be over your credit limit, a £12 overlimit default sum was automatically added to your account.

To prevent another overlimit default sum being added, you'll need to make a payment of £81.62 to bring your balance back under your credit limit. I'm afraid that if we don't receive a payment and your account remains overlimit, we may add more overlimit default sums to your account each month.

If you need any other help, please send us a further secure message.

(Calls may be recorded/monitored for training purposes.)





Edit: Could I also claim back all the late payment charges etc that have been incurred since I sent this message?

Mrs_Ryan wrote: »

With all due respect it sounds like you don't know the first thing about mental health conditions. One of the major issues of bipolar is compulsive spending while in a manic phase and OP's story certainly is not unusual. I worked in mental health for a long time and I saw a lot of this- it is well known and well documented about compulsive spending in bipolar- go google it if you don't believe me. It is most certainly not an excuse. The difference is you probably know what you're doing when you're gambling and unless you have an addiction probably know when to stop. When OP is manic they are literally not in their right mind, they cannot control their actions.
Unlike the rest of you on here I am not going to judge as I know what it's like to have a mental health condition. Facing problems can be extremely difficult, more so than for 'normal people' As for having your current balance wiped off, Capital One are tough cookies to crack when it comes to write offs. I know first hand as I used to work in that department. Proving mental incapacity that you shouldn't have been given the card is also extremely difficult but possible- I know, I've seen it done. However you need to communicate with them. You need to tell them it needs to be put under the Specialist Support Unit and you will need to send them medical evidence.
I'm not going to say any more as I will likely get flamed for what I have said but if you want to know any more please PM me and I will try to help you if I can. I've got mental health problems myself and multiple physical problems and I know what it's like when it comes to debt!