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Pensioners' Credit Cards cancelled!

(73 Posts)
seadragon Thu 21-Nov-24 15:36:34

Is this the beginning of a National Scandal?
Both my husband and I have both had credit cards with the same company for over 10 years. We have each just received notice that our cards are being cancelled - no reason given - just an instruction to settle any balance by mid January and not make any further purchases using them. Searching on line for others affected by this, we find that, apparently, we are 'DEADBEATS' - people who pay off our accounts every month....ie not very profitable.
We are both pensioners who use credit cards for on line purchases having been given to understand they are more secure. (I prefer not to use my bank card, having chosen to have no online account anyway,,,)
My husband found he was unable to access his on line credit card account - after receiving the notification of closure - and, on telephoning the company, he was unable to access his account details there either. Instead, a recorded voice diverted him to an employee who gave him details of recent transactions verbally. The employee could give no explanation for the card account cancellation. (The recorded message had issued instructions ’to customers affected by closure' either to send an email to the company or send a letter with any queries)
To make matters worse, we live on an island off the North Coast of Scotland where connectivity is poor and choice limited. I happen to be a member of one of the Bank of England's Citizen Fora/Forums(?) but will have to jump through some more hoops before I can notify the Financial Conduct Authority...

seadragon Thu 21-Nov-24 15:37:45

.... At the very least having no credit card will make it difficult buying some of our planned Christmas presents for family
who live in South Devon !….

Zuzu Thu 21-Nov-24 15:45:58

I can only offer this as a suggestion. Contact an attorney/solicitor (I'm in the US, they're all attorneys here) who specializes in elder care law and have a consult. Any communication you have with the credit card firm should be in writing/email. We'd be considered deadbeat as well.

welbeck Thu 21-Nov-24 15:55:54

As far as I know the card provider is entitled to do this as long as they give notice which they have done.
You could use your debit card to make online purchases.
Or have you tried applying for a credit card from other providers?

Spinnaker Thu 21-Nov-24 15:56:35

Do you mind me asking which company this is seadragon ?

cornergran Thu 21-Nov-24 16:00:25

I’d also be interested to know which one. Forewarned and all that.

Jaxjacky Thu 21-Nov-24 16:02:36

I’ve not heard of this and googled it no no avail, how odd.

Grandmabatty Thu 21-Nov-24 16:03:31

My friend who was married to a millionaire and who was very comfortably off himself, applied for a loan from Barclays and was refused because he was retired.

Boz Thu 21-Nov-24 16:07:28

I've just run this past my OH (ex-banker) who tells me that you need to keep using your c.c. to make it worthwhile being provided. It sounds as if you are not spending enough money on this card and nothing comes from nothing, these days, I am afraid.

biglouis Thu 21-Nov-24 16:09:40

I would just swap to another provider. CC companies are usually falling over themselves to offer their services so long as you use them responsibly and have a good credit record. I get emails every single day offering me cards, loans, etc. They are really useful if you have a dispute with a retailer or service provider and need to do a chargeback.

Dickens Thu 21-Nov-24 16:10:19

This doesn't just affect pensioners, 'deadbeat' applies to anyone who pays off their CC in full. Although pensioners probably more frequently do that.

However, CC companies still make money - processing charges.

They (banks) could of course charge an annual fee for those of us who pay off in full and thus don't give them the option of charging interest incurred by not doing so.

That's how Capitalism works though, isn't it? There's no such thing as a free-lunch. And they make money from those who are unfortunately unable to pay in full.

And, we are at their mercy, they can close any of your accounts, at any time, and don't have to give a reason.

We should have the option of a National bank - run at cost. Because everyone these days needs a bank account, especially as money transactions are gradually becoming a thing of the past.

Yes, it is a scandal.

Boz Thu 21-Nov-24 16:11:11

Also, everything these days is AI. In the old days, a bank manager would look at a customer and give a nod of approval if necessary. Banking is almost untouched by human hand now. Shame.

Calipso Thu 21-Nov-24 16:13:23

Why do you think this is related to your age OP? Mine was cancelled last year because that product was no longer available. I simply applied for one from my usual bank.

Oldbat1 Thu 21-Nov-24 16:15:38

Yes dh had Barclays credit card (not our main bank) and they refused to reissue him a credit card through little use. He pays off every month but only has credit of £3000 whereas before it was a ridiculous amount.

Allira Thu 21-Nov-24 16:16:32

Searching on line for others affected by this, we find that, apparently, we are 'DEADBEATS' - people who pay off our accounts every month....ie not very profitable.

I asked for a temporary increase on mine for a one-off purchase but was refused - I was astonished.
The reason given when I phoned to ask why was that I pay it off each month, apparently.

Allira Thu 21-Nov-24 16:17:42

Boz

I've just run this past my OH (ex-banker) who tells me that you need to keep using your c.c. to make it worthwhile being provided. It sounds as if you are not spending enough money on this card and nothing comes from nothing, these days, I am afraid.

I use mine for most purchases, but not food.

Boz Thu 21-Nov-24 16:21:20

Allira

Boz

I've just run this past my OH (ex-banker) who tells me that you need to keep using your c.c. to make it worthwhile being provided. It sounds as if you are not spending enough money on this card and nothing comes from nothing, these days, I am afraid.

I use mine for most purchases, but not food.

I can't help feeling it helps to put your food on a card as it is a major expenditure these days. Most of my food is bought online using delivery or click and collect.

Allira Thu 21-Nov-24 16:26:29

Boz

Allira

Boz

I've just run this past my OH (ex-banker) who tells me that you need to keep using your c.c. to make it worthwhile being provided. It sounds as if you are not spending enough money on this card and nothing comes from nothing, these days, I am afraid.

I use mine for most purchases, but not food.

I can't help feeling it helps to put your food on a card as it is a major expenditure these days. Most of my food is bought online using delivery or click and collect.

It may seem daft but I like to pay for it before I eat it!

Heather18 Thu 21-Nov-24 16:55:43

Do the cards get used regularly? I think I have heard infrequent use can lead to cancellation.

J52 Thu 21-Nov-24 16:57:38

Grandmabatty

My friend who was married to a millionaire and who was very comfortably off himself, applied for a loan from Barclays and was refused because he was retired.

I find this amazing, they put a little note on my account telling me how much they will lend me. Not that I want it.

Grandmabatty Thu 21-Nov-24 17:14:25

It's true. He was extremely indignant and ranted about it 😂. It was a few years ago now though, so possibly things changed

M0nica Thu 21-Nov-24 20:15:39

I have had a credit card since they were first issued and I have always paid the balance off each month and continue to do so.

I checked the stats and nearly two thirds (62%) of all card holders clear the balance on their credit card each month www.money.co.uk/credit-cards/credit-card-statistics
so that is no reason to withdraw a credit card.

Anyway, surely you have a debit card issued to be used with your bank account seadragon. If you are paying off the balance on your credi card each month, you could just charge everything to your debit card instead.

Smileless2012 Thu 21-Nov-24 20:20:51

So it appears that this isn't age related but because of how you use your credit card seadragon.

Freya5 Thu 21-Nov-24 20:23:21

Debit cards are not as safe as credit cards
Use a credit card for payments (if you have one). Many of these protect online purchases as part of the Consumer Credit Act. Debit card payments offer less protection, but you might be able to make a claim for a refund under a voluntary scheme called 'chargeback'.
www.ncsc.gov.uk › guidance
Shopping and paying safely online - NCSC.GOV.UK

seadragon Thu 21-Nov-24 20:25:28

Hence the title, Smileless 2012.....