Help with barclaycard debt

[Elsa12]

Hi all,

I've just found this forum and I'm seeking advice.

 

My husband and I have barclaycard debts totalling 18k.

It has accumulated over years of just paying the minimum payment,

and having to use it in times of unemployment and ill health.

We are unable to afford the monthly repayments, and I can't see that changing in the near future.

 

I rang stepchange and they are in the process of starting a debt management plan for us.

We have our mortgage with Barclays, our current account with Barclays too.

 

I've read that Barclaycard can take money from our account at any time.

I have searched the internet, and it's all so confusing.

Some people say to write to Barclaycard and offer them what we can afford to pay each month.

 

We have an overdraft facility on our current account.

Does anyone know if Barclaycard can use our overdraft facility to take money?

I also read that it's best to pay nothing, and then eventually they will give up on chasing the debt?

 

Stepchange have advised us to open an account with a different bank.

 

The thing is, we need to have the overdraft for the weeks when we have no money coming in.

 

I know it's another debt,

but our incomings fluctuate so much that we do need to have some access to credit every few months.

 

I'm at a loss as to what to do for the best.

I'm 58 and was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 4 years ago. I had to stop working.

 

 

Now I have a job which at times is a massive struggle to cope with,

and the stress of not knowing what to do for the best is not helping.

 

Any advice would be wonderful.

Thank you.

[SabreSheep]

Hi welcome to CAG

 

Others will be around later that can give more detailed help.

 

Right now I would be looking to do a full subject access request to Barclays in order to ensure you have ALL the paperwork you will ever need.

 

Stepchange are right, opening a new bank account and moving all income into the new one is a good plan.

[goodatresearch]

When you say you both have BC debts do you mean your both the main account holder of seperate barclaycards or are they all in one of your names with the other as an additional card holder. It does make a difference.

[dx100uk]

yes they can offset any Barclay debt

from any credit anywhere on other Barclay accounts.

 

 

now, you say you cant exist without the 'credit' the OD gives you?

 

 

that sounds irish to me

the OD must be costing you fees to use it?

[Elsa12]

Thank you for your replies.

 

goodatresearch, we have separate accounts.

 

dx100k it may sound irish,

but due to the nature of my husband's work,

he can have weeks without work, then weeks of work.

 

I'm worried that if we don't have an overdraft facility,

if we have no money coming in,

we won't be in a position to pay our bills.

Does that make sense?

 

SabreSheep, thank you for your response.

I've been looking at the full subject access request, but find it a bit confusing.

 

Would that be so that I can see exactly what they have charged me over the years?

 

I suppose one thing I need advice on is whether to contact Barclaycard ourselves to offer them what we can afford, or should I let stepchange do it on my behalf?

[dx100uk]

is this card years old?

 

 

yes get an sar running .

[Elsa12]

is this card years old?

 

 

 

 

 

yes get an sar running .

 

 

 

[Elsa12]

One is, that has the biggest debt. Not sure how old.

The other one, mine, is about 7years old.

I asked for a loan, but they said a card would be better.

[slick132]

Hi Elsa,

 

Just get the SAR printed and sent asap.

 

You need to know how much you've been charged in penalties over the years, so you can reclaim with interest. Or have you always managed to make the minimum monthly payments.

 

Are Stepchange looking to have interest and penalty charges stopped to give you a chance to reduce the capital balance.

 

[martin2006]

You both need to get a sar sent, one for you, one for your husband, send them to:

Barclays Bank PLC

Radbrooke Hall

Knutsford

Cheshire

WA15 9EU

 

Thats the data control centre