I had this experience today, but I seem to have nipped mine in the bud. What happens is this: Virgin credit card accounts have a payment window between the billing date and the minimum payment date, for example the 21st of the month to the 7th of the next month. If you do not pay within this period they say you are "in default" even if you are making a regular monthly payment (e.g. on the 15th of each month) in excess of the minimum payment. When you receive a late payment charge (shown as "default sum" on your statement, to disguise it one assumes) it knocks you off any promotional offers you have been receiving, including interest free transfers. However your statement does not inform you of this, and you do not receive separate notification as far as I can see. This is, it has to be said, pretty sharp practice. Not what I have come to expect from Virgin, but it seems to be the same whenever they put their name on something managed by someone else (read: the Virgin Media fiasco 2006-07). I got my statement yesterday and phoned up today. The chap at the other end refunded the late fee without being asked, explained the promotions thing, and reinstated the interest free promotion for me. All I have to do now is change the date of the debit to my Virgin credit card. What I suggest you do is write a letter to the Virgin Customer Advocate Office, clearly explaining your problem and what you would like to see happening. Point out the lack of forewarning about default sums, payment windows, and promotion removal in the literature which Virgin send when an account is opened. Their address is: Virgin Credit Card The Customer Advocate Office PO Box 1004 Chester Business Park Wrexham Road Chester CH4 9WW If they fob you off, refer it to the financial ombudsman's office: Financial Ombudsman Service South Quay Plaza 183 Marsh Wall London E14 9SR

Anthoni called me yesterday and said "we have confirmed your charges". They know I have every sheet of every statement since the account was opened ten years ago, so they couldn't very well say anything else

Settled in full. ** /me does the dance of joy, dooo dee dooo daaaa bam bam ** I will still be at the direction hearing if no cheque received by then.

Anthoni phoned me yesterday (on what has become known at work as the "Red Phone" or "Batphone", because Barclays do not have my new mobile number, muah ha ha) as I was preparing to flee the copshop for the pub across the road. One of the first things he said was "we have verified your charges", which was all they really could say seeing as I still have every statement they have sent me in the 10 years the account has been open (and they know it). He didn't bother making lower offers. Could have been a case of "Friday afternoon, so many still to dooooo!"

What did they charge you £5.99 for? I have used the site today and it was fine.

If you are dead by then we will have your credit score added to your epitaph. thumbsup!

Hi Jenny, May I ask, does this figure include your interest, 8%, court filing fees, time charges etc, or is it just the charges and standard interest? I am a bit uncertain as to what bits Barclays are willing to shell out for.

I thought everyone might like to know that CreditExpert.co.uk are currently offering a free 30-day trial of their service, which is basically online access to your credit reports as compiled by Experian. I used the service today and printed off my credit report as of January 21st, which was free. I also paid £4.99 for my national credit score, which I was amused to see is 999 points out of 1,000 - rating: "excellent". (I am not sure if this was good value or not, I am sure someone on here will know otherwise ) According to the report, the score puts me as being a lower-risk borrower than 80% of the population. Anyway, the point of all of this is that such information can possibly be used to help show that claimants are not financially reckless - I will be including mine as circumstantial evidence in my case against Barclays. So everyone might as well exploit it while it is free! Don't forget to terminate your account before the 30 days are up, or you will be charged automatically.

Thanks Jenny!

Received word from the court today that my case is one of many referred to the Mercantile Court (this thread). I will be attending the direction hearing on 7th February.

I received notification today that I have been added to this action, and have been asked to attend the hearing on 7th February (vs Barclays - I am not on the list sent to me, but presumably will appear on later lists). The letter states that a Case Management Information Sheet in accordance with CPR59 should be returned to the court seven days prior to the hearing - that means I have little time to prepare. Basically it needs to be in the mail on Monday or Tuesday (really bad timing for me as I have a Japanese listening assessment I ought to be revising for, erk!) Am I right in thinking that the court bundle comes after the hearing? I would be hard-pressed to finish preparing that in time for this deadline.

Cheers Michael!

I have had the standard "we have not looked at your claim" stock defence from Barclays, and I'm ready to send back my completed Allocation Questionnaire. Just one question, which might seem very silly but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere... to whom should I make out the cheque I am sending to the court? Will "Mytown County Court" do?

Sure, go for it!

Barclays finally acknowledged two days before the deadline... now to see if they file a defence!

MCOL finally filed 18/11/06 - wish me luck!

No comments or corrections? I'll be firing this into Barclays' eyes this week.

Simple question really: When we send a copy of our documents to the defendants, is there a requirement for them to be on paper, or could they be on CD-ROM?

Here are the particulars of my claim for MCOL. Any comments? Please note that I have moved the line "Alternatively, if the charges are a fee for a service, then they must be reasonable under S.15 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982." to part (b) of the contentions, rather than part (b) of the claims (which is where it sits in the example MCOL thread). Does this have any damaging implications?

[Mr Burns] Excellllllent. [/Mr Burns]

I have seen that there are sub-forums for people who have won in court or had their claims settled by the banks before the set court date. But has anyone gone to court and lost? And if so, shouldn't this be tracked as well, so we can all avoid whatever mistakes were made or tackle any unusual defences that cropped up?

Yesterday I received a letter from Barclays Bank Plc (in an envelope which was not even sealed, just tucked in) advising me that the settlement amount I rejected last week was full and final, and that the bank — after careful consideration — have decided not to alter the amount. If I wish to receive the amount offered, I can send back the form they gave me which declares that I accept the amount as final settlement. If I don’t want to do that, then it “appears we are unable to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.” I am drafting the particulars of my claim right now, so I can start the MCOL process.

An interesting development. I received a letter from Barclays yesterday telling me all about their wonderful terms and conditions, which went on to offer me £600 as a final payment (about 2/3 of the charges on their own, ignoring interest, which actually does seem quite generous in terms of the responses others have had). The catch is that I would have to sign a form that came with the letter, stating that I accept the money as FULL settlement and will generally be a good boy and go away quietly. Oh, and there is a freepost envelope to send it back in. My response is below. Any comments, criticisms, or factual corrections (before I send it off tomorrow) would be much appreciated!

How is this?

I got the standard "we disagree with your legal analysis" letter this week, and a refund of £79 pounds. I am going to do the standard "thanks for that part payment, look forward to hearing your legal analysis in court" reply.