not related to this thread sorry, but the elusive Patricia Woolley is my mother in law. She's actually a really nice lady. I know that doesn't really help anyone here

I must say, I havent checked my files since about Winter 2006. Would you recommend it?

Hi All, I currently do the vast majority of my current account backing etc with HSBC. However I have an old Halifax account that has had something like £1 in it for the last ten years. The account is still open as they send annual statements to my mothers house (I havent lived there for about 8/9 years?). I want to know "re-claim" that account so to speak - update my new address and get a new card ordered etc, as a backup account should my dealings with HSBC ever get messy shall we say (such as reclaiming charges etc). My worry is I have had some debt problems in the last couple of years, nothing too bad really - well nothing really more than the average person. If I supply Halifax with my new address and request a new card for that account, what is the likelihood of them credit checking me and refusing/closing the account due to records on my credit file etc? Sorry if this sounds like I'm being paranoid - any help would be appreciated