Late Payment Marker Barcleys

[justjennie84]

Hi

 

I was wondering if someone could advise me on an issue i'm having with Barclays bank

 

Recently I got a copy of my credit file due to trying to get a mortgage, the first company I used was Equifax and everything seemed fine

 

Then someone recommended checking it with Experian which I did and discovered that Barclays had recently given me a late payment marker on my account which had been dormant for since September 2009

 

I went to Barclays to enquire about this as was unsure where it had come from as the account had previously been dormant for over 3 years. They have advised me that the last time I used my account was in September 2009 and my account was left with a balance of -£150 (I had a £200 overdraft)

 

Since then it had not been used but the account has been gaining interest charges of £2.50 a month ever since so 3 years worth sending me overdrawn for nearly 2 years with a balance of -£250 (£50 over my overdraft)

 

When I asked the bank why they had only just added this late payment marker and not done so when I first became overdrawn they couldn’t give me an answer. Also they had never been in touch with me in regards to this or anything else to do with that account.

 

I appreciate I was in the wrong for not paying back the £150 earlier but I didn’t really use the account and in-between moving house, getting broken into and having some family issues I completely forgot I even had the account until I seen it on my report

 

As soon as I knew about it I paid the whole amount off so everything was in credit

 

I have asked Barclays to remove the marker but they are refusing as they say it doesn’t show a true reflection of my account but surly this is incorrect. The account had been overdrawn for 2 years before they put the mark on and I think this is really unfair as iv never paid anything late in my life and they could see this though my barleys card payment which have always been totally up to date.

 

Also are they even allowed to do this as technically I never paid late as no agreement was in place in order to “Pay Late”

 

I don’t really know what I expect from this but was hoping someone could possibly give me some advice

 

Thanks

[slick132]

Hi JJ and welcome to CAG

 

To get anywhere with this, you'll need to show that Barclays were at fault somewhere down the line.

 

Why did you not know about this. Perhaps the bank didn't send out statements or you failed to notify them of your new address.

 

If it was the bank's error, you may have a valid complaint using BCOB's - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/announcement.php?f=76&a=220

 

If the error was yours, the bank is correct in saying they have reported the account status accurately. In this case, all you can do is ensure the CRA files now accurately reflect that the debt has been cleared. However, the Late Marker will remain visible for 6 years from when the debt was cleared.

 

In your favour, if you changed address and didn't receive bank statements because you failed to tell the bank, you can complain that the Barclays Banking Group were aware of your address through Barclaycard. That would give you the opportunity to ask them to remove the Late Marker as a Gesture of Goodwill, given your clean record with BC and your otherwise good credit history.

 

[justjennie84]

Thanks for the reply

 

I haven't received an account statement off them for 3 year as they had an old address on record

 

I went to into the branch in order to change my address but this wasn't done, Barclays are now saying i never did this as they have no record of the change

 

However my Barclay card address has been changed correctly so have not had a problem with this unfortunately barcleys have said barcely card is run separately so has nothing to do with my account

 

I have asked then twice to remove the mark but they are refusing and have advised me to speak to the financial ombudsman which i am going to do

 

If this marker stays on my account for 6 years shouldn't it officially already had 2 years passed as that is when the account first when OD not last month

[slick132]

Hi JJ,

 

Funny how they say BC is separate when it suits them. Yet, when they want to raid your bank a/c to pay BC when the BC a/c is in arrears, they can do it without any problem.

 

I'd complain that you changed the a/c address in branch and you have no idea why this wasn't actioned.

 

Also, that they had your new address available via your BC a/c, which is actually Barclays Bank PLC t/a BC.

 

Your complaint can be made to the ICO as well as the FOS if Barclays fail to acknowledge their error and agree to remove the default. You'll have to be persistent about this if you want the default removed as they are normally reticent to remove such markers.