Vanquis - Can't get out of debt

[AWC]

To cut a long story short,

 

had a successfully completed IVA from 2005-2010

 

took out a CC with Vanquis in 2011 to help repair my credit rating,

barely used it all the time I had it.

 

I've got an unblemished credit record since a year after ending my IVA and have never defaulted on anything.

 

I decided to close my Vanquis account on 10/2/14 by telephone after doing a balance transfer to another card,

therefore not owing a penny to Vanquis.

 

I also cancelled the ID Protection & Repayment Option Plan at the same time...they didn't do as I ask at all.

 

I am now stuck in the trap

I have read so many other people are in whereby Vanquis keep adding fees, interest etc until the account is settled,

but no matter how much I pay, it never seems to be settled,

so they keep adding more.

 

Since 10/2/14 I have paid the following to settle the account:

 

19/2/14 - £40.65

25/2/14 - £6.00

13/3/14 - £22.98

10/4/13 - £10.00

 

Today, they rang up a few times asking for an outstanding amount of £1.07 but each time I try to discuss the account with them, they just hang up!

 

I have written a letter demanding that they close my account,

I have also enclosed a cheque for £10 and enclosed my Vanquis card all cut up.

I will send it signed for delivery.

 

Other than that, I don't know what to do, they are just forcing me to give them money each month.

 

Any advice?

[citizenB]

Send a formal complaint to their Head/Registered office.

 

Head your letter Formal Complaint.

 

Pretty much advise what you have above and demand that they close the account - they are treating you unfairly in order to make more profit out of you. I would also demand that they repay any monies they have taken inappropriately since the date you first requested the account closure.

 

Advise that if they have not dealt with your complaint correctly say within 14 days that you will be escalating to the Financial Ombudsman.

 

They are actually allowed 8 weeks in which to deal with the complaint..

[citizenB]

Send your complaint via recorded delivery at the very least - if you can afford special Delivery.. then that is how I would send it

[AWC]

Thanks for your responses, very useful and much appreciated!

 

I will keep you all posted and hope my experience can help others who are in the same situation.

[citizenB]

Yes, please do let us know how you get on

[citizenB]

DId you request any of the protections that were applied to the account ? If not, then you would be fully entitled to reclaim those

[AWC]

Well, I decided in the interim to email my complaint to them, and they responded fairly quickly with a standard response to contact them by telephone. I contacted them this morning and they said there was now and outstanding balance of £20.59...for a card which I have not used for over 6 months. I was furious, but kept my cool.

 

I explained that there was no point in paying because they won't carry out my instruction to close the account, but she said they couldn't because there was ID Protection on the card which was nothing to do with them, and it was my responsibility to ring ID Protection to cancel it. I did point out that it was originally taken out via Vanquis Bank and did not require me to call ID Protection when the card account was open.

 

Anyway, I called ID Protection and got the policy cancelled, they said it would be sent to me in writing. I have been assured that my account will now be closed, however, I doubt it very much but we can live in hope.

[citizenB]

Did you request the ID protection ?

 

If not, then IMHO, you should reclaim what you have paid.