Hi guys
I sent Barclaycard a letter almost 2 weeks ago telling them that I was unable to meet my minimum payments as I wasn't working and I was looking for advice and assistance. I got the template from a link on this site. I know that they received my letter because they have started ringing me but in the letter I asked that they only contact me through letters.
They have ignored my letter, all they have done is sent me my bill with a leaflet called "Arrears, a guide" or something along those lines.
I don't understand what I can do. I am going to write a letter to them again but not sure what to say. Anyone else had this problem??
Any help would be appreciated
xxxx
Hi jill, i had the same probs wiv barclaycard and they continued to ring me 2-3 times a day, i rung them and explained i was having money problems and if i could reduce my payments, i was told no i couldnt until i was in arrears with them, i ended up going through debt management with the cccs and it wasnt until they took it over for me that they left me alone. Sorry i cant give you better news but they are a nasty company with nasty people that wouldnt help you if you were on fire. If you really need too try another method like myself, i now have all my creditors being paid every month, for alot less than they wanted and i dont have too put up with nasty people like barclay card on my back, i ended up changing my phone number because of them, ahh maybe thats the way to go. Hope you get it sorted, let me know how u get on Sez xxx:D
thanks :) the problem with the phonecalls really was that my number I have them when I signed up for the card is now my sisters number (I gave her my old phone when I got a new one) and she was getting phonecalls from 8am-8pm monday to sunday at least 5 a day and now they have my correct number they are doing the same thing. I am just angry that they have ignored my letter. They havent bothered sending a reply, just completely ignored it but they must have got it because they have my right number.
I'm working at phones4u so going to see if one of my colleagues can block the number for me!! I'm not sure how to do it on my phone!
A quick question, what effect does the debt management with the cccs have on your credit rating?
thanks for replying though xxx
Hi Jill,
Sorry to hear youre having problems with paying and experiencing difficulty with Barclaycard.
I used to work for Barclaycard and now work for another Financial Services company and i deal with arrears cases.
First off ring them to check they have actually recieved your letter, Barclaycard are a huge company and there is no guarentees your letter has landed in front of who it needs to. I would also advise you to liase with them by phone as all calls are logged and recorded so there is proof of what you have agreed.
As you know with it being Christmas, Barclaycard wont simply give you a payment break or reduce payments unless you are in arrears, i think that pretty easy to understand, its very hard though for creditors to recognise the difference between a Cant pay or a Wont pay.
Also two other points ill mention, they should definately not be calling you more than 3 times a day as this is deemed unreasonable, if you do get a message though, as i said you should most definately ring them back immedietly, you wont be able to block their number as most creditors withhold their numbers.
Hope you get it sorted soon, i dont pass judgement in these circumstances and neither will they.
Hi :) thanks for helping. I have tried ringing them a few times but I either get an indian person I can't understand (not being racist but he has a very strong accent and his phone goes all crackly) or I get cut off.
I am honestly not just a "won't pay" customer. I haven't been spending money on xmas presents and just ignoring it. I am putting as much money as possible from this months pay (24th December) in an effort to try and get my debt down. I am going to send them another letter today enclosing a copy of my other letter, but not sure who I should send it to. Is there a particular department or someone that I could send it to so that it got dealt with better?
thanksxx
hi guys :)
I have drafted a letter but not sure whether it is okay to send, can you let me know???
"
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing in reference to a letter I sent to you on..................... I enclose a copy of this letter for your convenience.
Further to this letter, after receiving over 6 calls a day starting from 8am to 8pm, which is classed as harrassment by Trading Standards. I therefore require that you only contact me via letters.
I am currently working but only in a christmas temporary position. After Christmas I am starting a higher education course. I would appreciate it if you could send me information so that I am able to set up a direct debit to pay my credit card balance off each month. I hope to work in a part time position whilst studying but due to the looming recession at the moment you will surely understand that this is quite difficult.
I have found the phonecalls very upsetting and it is affecting my mental health as I have a history of suffering badly from stress and anxiety and it is affecting my day to day life. I would appreciate it if you would please note this on my records. If you continue to harrass me in this manner I will have no other option than to report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading.
I would appreciate it if you could also send me a copy of your complaints procedure.
If I have not heard from you by 14th January 2009 I will re-send this letter."
I'm not sure if I should put something else in the letter or take things out so can you guys let me know?
thanks xxxx
"
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing in reference to a letter I sent to you on..................... I enclose a copy of this letter for your convenience.
Further to this letter, after receiving over 6 calls a day starting from 8am to 8pm, which is classed as harrassment by Trading Standards. I therefore require that you only contact me via letters.
I am currently working but only in a christmas temporary position. After Christmas I am starting a higher education course. I would appreciate it if you could send me information so that I am able to set up a direct debit to pay my credit card balance off each month. I hope to work in a part time position whilst studying but due to the looming recession at the moment you will surely understand that this is quite difficult.
I have found the phonecalls very upsetting and it is affecting my mental health as I have a history of suffering badly from stress and anxiety and it is affecting my day to day life. I would appreciate it if you would please note this on my records. If you continue to harrass me in this manner I will have no other option than to report you to OFCOM, Trading Standards and the Office of Fair Trading.
I would appreciate it if you could also send me a copy of your complaints procedure.
If I have not heard from you by 14th January 2009 I will re-send this letter."
No offence but it is a bit all over the place. People reading this will be reading hundreds of similar letters a week and so keeping it simple might be easier.
E.g. listing your income and outgoings, including proof of these, then suggesting a fair payment you could make if interest is frozen on your account.
The problem is that I literally don't have any money to give them! Thats how me and OH are in this position. I had to borrow money from my parents to make rent this month. It's pretty pointless listing my income as the only stable income into the household is my OH's. My job finishes on 3rd January 2009 so by the time they have read it and replied etc everything will have changed.
thanks for the help though :)
xxx
The problem is that I literally don't have any money to give them!
In that case then it may be worth incorporating some elements of this letter.
Your address
Date:
To:
Dear Sir/Madam
Re Account No/Reference No:- 4563210025897412
Since making that above agreement with you, our circumstances have changed.
We cannot now afford to agreed monthly payments because ... [your paragraph added here]
We enclose a Personal Budget sheet which shows our total income from all sources, and the total outgoings of our household. As you can see we have no money left to make offers of payment to my creditors.
In view of our circumstances, would you please accept [no payment/a token payment] at present to be reviewed in [X] months. If interest or other charges are being added to the account, we would be grateful if you would freeze these so our debt does not increase.
Should my circumstances improve we will contact you again.
Thank you for your assistance. We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Mr A N OtherCertainly keep in the references to the telephone harassment.
It would also be worth taking a look at the link below which has advice and further template letters.
Link: Review Pack - For people who have no available income to pay creditors (http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/review_pack.php?page=for_people_who_have_no_availa ble_income_to_pay_creditors)
There is also plenty of help and experience on the Debt-Free Wannabe (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=76) board and Martin's article:
Debt Problems: Where to start, what to do, where to get help (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan)
hi :) thanks, am looking at the review pack. Hopefully the budget sheet will help us before we even send the letter.
Thanks again :D xxx
and
don't set up a DD as you can't control how much they take... set up a standing order instead
and send all correspondance by recorded delivery.
Also if your Current Account is with Barclays then I would move it immediately.
Barclaycard have a habit of raiding your Current Account when their Credit Card falls into arrears.
Also if your Current Account is with Barclays then I would move it immediately.
Barclaycard have a habit of raiding your Current Account when their Credit Card falls into arrears.
This is incorrect, though they do have the ability to transfer availible funds if you are deemed to have a healthy cashflow and are not sharing it equally, though this doesnt seem applicable in the ops circumstances.
Hi :) thanks for helping. I have tried ringing them a few times but I either get an indian person I can't understand (not being racist but he has a very strong accent and his phone goes all crackly) or I get cut off.
I am honestly not just a "won't pay" customer. I haven't been spending money on xmas presents and just ignoring it. I am putting as much money as possible from this months pay (24th December) in an effort to try and get my debt down. I am going to send them another letter today enclosing a copy of my other letter, but not sure who I should send it to. Is there a particular department or someone that I could send it to so that it got dealt with better?
thanksxx
I would certainly follows Fermi's advice in this thread, unfortunately it would appear then that Barclaycard have outsourced its portfolio for your account abroad, its worth trying them during the day in normal office hours, you may get someone english, i suppose the plus side though is that you wont encounter an aggressive Indian, its just they wont be very understanding. You can simply ask to speak with a manager, they cant refuse that request.
This is incorrect, though they do have the ability to transfer availible funds if you are deemed to have a healthy cashflow and are not sharing it equally, though this doesnt seem applicable in the ops circumstances.
Well its been reported on here multiple times, and judging by these reports, Barclaycard just empty the account with no regard for "healthy cashflow".
Why do you say that this is not applicable in the OPs case ?
Because of this right, people struggling with debts are advised to keep their Current Accounts with organisations which are not linked in any way to those to which they in debt to.
Well its been reported on here multiple times, and judging by these reports, Barclaycard just empty the account with no regard for "healthy cashflow".
Why do you say that this is not applicable in the OPs case ?
Because of this right, people struggling with debts are advised to keep their Current Accounts with organisations which are not linked in any way to those to which they in debt to.
If have an income which you are using to pay off other debts but not your Barclaycard, and you havent contacted them to agree anything, then yes, they will take what they like. They will also only do this if your account has not recieved a payment in 3/4 months, do you reports reflect this?
From what i read though from the OP, this wont apply as she has contacted them, also "The problem is that I literally don't have any money to give them!" doesnt indicate a Healthy cashflow, i think you'd agree
If have an income which you are using to pay off other debts but not your Barclaycard, and you havent contacted them to agree anything, then yes, they will take what they like. They will also only do this if your account has not recieved a payment in 3/4 months, do you reports reflect this?
From what i read though from the OP, this wont apply as she has contacted them, also "The problem is that I literally don't have any money to give them!" doesnt indicate a Healthy cashflow, i think you'd agree
Well the OP is working (at Phones4u) and the previous reports suggest that Barclaycard have a habit of taking a debtor's wages from a Current Account as soon as they arrive often without any regard for other responsibilities that the debtor may have. If you do a search on the forum I am sure you would find some previous cases.
I don't know about the account having to be 3/4 months in arrears but will bow down to your superior knowledge as you have worked at Barclaycard.
If have an income which you are using to pay off other debts but not your Barclaycard, and you havent contacted them to agree anything, then yes, they will take what they like. They will also only do this if your account has not recieved a payment in 3/4 months, do you reports reflect this?
From what i read though from the OP, this wont apply as she has contacted them, also "The problem is that I literally don't have any money to give them!" doesnt indicate a Healthy cashflow, i think you'd agree
I can only say to the OP not to treat this seriously... I'm sure it's posted with good intentions but ignore it and open that new a/c if you bank with barclays and owe on the barclaycard.
I would agree, do what you feel is neccessary, im not advising against opening a new account. I just like correcting people with the chinese whispers :P
Well the OP is working (at Phones4u) and the previous reports suggest that Barclaycard have a habit of taking a debtor's wages from a Current Account as soon as they arrive often without any regard for other responsibilities that the debtor may have. If you do a search on the forum I am sure you would find some previous cases.
I don't know about the account having to be 3/4 months in arrears but will bow down to your superior knowledge as you have worked at Barclaycard.
Plenty of previous cases.:rolleyes:
I concure with the advice to open an account ASAP with a unconnected bank for future wages/benefits or whatever.
The banks are fairly ruthless in their application of their "right of offset" against funds in a current account. Often leaving with nothing to pay essentials.
Oh god, I wasn't aware that they could do that!!! I only changed to Barclays from NatWest in April, and although I have kept my NatWest account. Is that not against the law to take money from an account? I don't have anything going in it until 24th December and was going to make a payment via the internet when I get home from work that night but if they take money out of it then I won't be able to make rent which has to be a priority.
This has really scared me and don't know what to do now.
help!!!
xxx
sillylittlejill I did not mean to scare you, but yes they can take the money from your Barclays account and it is legal because its all in the Terms and Conditions.
They may not do this, but I would get a new account opened now and get your wages re-directed to it so that this cannot happen.
As I said it may well not happen and it would be a pretty horrible thing to do at christmas, but they can do it, so if you can get your wages moved somewhere else then I would even if just for peace of mind.
Please do not let this ruin your christmas and I apologise for scaring you, but at least your are forewarned.
but I would get a new account opened now and get your wages re-directed to it so that this cannot happen.
Just re-read your post and see that you have a NatWest account.
NatWest is part of RBS and not part of Barclaycard so why not get your wages paid into this account instead ?
I suppose I should but after spending 3 months trying to get all my direct debits/standing orders changed over from NatWest to Barclays then I need to pay off my Barclays overdraft I don't know how we would be able to pay the rent!
I am hoping to god that me and OH will get money for xmas from family as they all know that we are in a "financial predicament" shall we say!
I'm so angry at getting myself in this situation!! The only reason I got a credit card was because I was changing my account over and they offered me one and I was idiotic enough to take it!
xx
Its highly unlikely it will happen, but have your wages transferred into another account for piece of mind.
okay I think I will do. It's only my 2nd week so not sure how the HR works but will ask my boss tomorrow.
Just for the record, I know that most people thinks Phones4u is horrible but I can honestly say that everyone I have spoken to so far in the company are the nicest people ever. The main problem is customers who dont read the terms and conditions then come in and yell at hardworking people!!
Sorry I know totally unrelated, just needed to get it off my chest!!
thanks for all the help so far guys
xxxx
okay I think I will do. It's only my 2nd week so not sure how the HR works but will ask my boss tomorrow.
Just for the record, I know that most people thinks Phones4u is horrible but I can honestly say that everyone I have spoken to so far in the company are the nicest people ever. The main problem is customers who dont read the terms and conditions then come in and yell at hardworking people!!
Sorry I know totally unrelated, just needed to get it off my chest!!
thanks for all the help so far guys
xxxx
Are Phones4u a Credit Card company? :p
No rofl, I've just seen loads of threads (albeit not on the credit card board!) saying that they are horrible!!! My new boss is the nicest guy and I am so desperate to keep the job after xmas! Not to mention the pretty decent starting pay which is of course helpful with the credit card debt!!!
sorry lol
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