Vanquis card ;are you a victim or know someone who is ?

[MARTIN3030]

I notice that people appear to be having difficulties with these.

After a sar request they send screenshots that DO NOT appear to list any fees/charges applied so can be impossible to work out.

I am a claimant myself and facing the same response.I would like to hear from others who have faced the same brick wall.Under the data protection act they are required to supply any information requested....and that should INCLUDE all transaction details.Just because there are not many case histories or information of settled claims should not put anyone off from claiming from these.

I am sure there were victims of the penalty charge regime.

If you were one or know someone who was then please add to this thread.

[MARTIN3030]

bump

[surprise]

Martin3030

 

I have tried to pm you re Vanquis,your inbox is full, don't won't to put onto an open forum.

[monopoly23]

Martin. My fiancee has an account with vanquis and they're charging the frankly extortionate interest rate of 46%. After seeing that you get a load of rubbish from the in responce to a sar, what do you think my chances are with a CCA request? The one I've sent was delivered this morning.

[surprise]

Hi - The one I've received was my original mailshot. I wrote back to them nearly two weeks ago saying that it was not acceptable as a true signed copy of an agreement, etc, etc, and I have not heard a peep out of them since and they have stopped phoning for payment. So will wait to see what they are cooking up.

[MARTIN3030]

ok guys I have put out a fresh appeal.

please e mail me martthedj@yahoo.co.uk.

Give me brief details we need to get onto this.

[monopoly23]

What details are you wanting exactly?

 

We got a reply from vanquis yesterday. I pmsl when I saw it.

"I refer to your recent communication regarding the above account.

The details of your enquiry are currently under investigation and I will contact you with a full response within the next 28 days. -Ha!

In the event that I have been unable to fully resolve the matter by that date I will provide you with a progress report on the investigation.

I am enclosing our leaflet 'Our Commitment To You' which details our internal complaint handling procedure." -what complaint?

Yeah you take as long as you like vanquis...

[MARTIN3030]

I am looking at both how they are dealing with requests for statements and information,and whether what they are supplying meets their obligations.

Of course the only sure way to make them legally comply is by sending them a SAR requesting statements and account transaction details.

In my own case the statements I was sent appear to be incomlete since I cannot reconcile the figures.

I tried to contact Vanquis by telephone but trying to get hold of anyone to speak to is a nightmare.

replies to letters are not forthcoming and injfo on succesful claims is not there either.

I am beginning to wonder whether people have not bothered to progress further because of Vanquises seemingly dragging of feet and uncoperative tactics.

I therefore am also looking at what can be done to enforce them to comply more quickly and openly.

This may mean a bulk complaint to the FOS.

First of all though information needs to be collated from those who are having problems.

[monopoly23]

In that case, I will be keeping a very close eye on this thread. We received a reply from Vanquis dated 4th June.

 

And out of 6 CCA requests I sent, Vanquis are the only ones so far to keep the £1 PO. All the rest have been returned.

 

I will update if I get any relevant info from them.

[surprise]

monopoly23 - I should watch out because I had the same letter this was then followed by Intended Action and then a Default Notice. Agreement did arrive but this was the pre-contractural one, ie Agreement/application form.

[monopoly23]

They sent you an intended action letter for requesting your agreement? So what happened with yours if they didn't send you a true copy?

Thanks for the heads up:)

[surprise]

Sorry, mislead you slightly. I was corresponding with them about the account when I received a letter to say they were looking into the matter and would come back to me within 28 days, but in that period they issued the Intended Action letter which I responded to, they then issued the default which they back dated and didn't give me the requisite 14 days notice, so I wrote back and asked for the agreement. What I received was a copy of the mailshot application form/credit agreement. It is headed correctly with all the terms and conditions, but the box you sign there is a message below it PLEASE SIGN THE WHITE BOX ABOVE. WE CANNOT PROCESS THIS APPLICATION WITHOUT YOUR SIGNATURE.

One thing to keep is the envelops. Date all your letters when received. One of my letters was dated 12th April not received until 21st April. The default notice was dated 27th April received 3rd May.

[Mikeyp]

I'm a victim of Vanquis. I wanted to pay off my Vanquis debt by getting another card from my bank and doing a balance transfer. Vanquis do not accept balance transfers or any payment from other CCs. Is there anyway round this? Has anyone else experienced the same problem? I have lengthened this reply by way more than 2 characters

 

Mikey P

[Mikeyp]

I am a victim of Vanquis. I wanted to pay them off by getting a new card from my bank and doing a balance transfer. I got the new card but Vanquis will not accept balance tranfers or any payment by other credit cards. Can anyone help or advise?

 

MikeyP

[biggeorge]

Hi all, I have had some success with Vanquis for charges back.

 

Have had charges re-payed back for my account (200+)and they did offer £290 back for the wife's account but wanted to change whole account to include, annual fee of £25 and interest rate up to 54%, then we would not receive any charges what so ever.

Wrote back and told them where to go and have had no further replies but have just sent an LBA so will see what happens.

 

At the moment all credit cards are re-paying the fees, just had a refund from MBNA for my father of £813 which was all charges and interest since account opening.

 

1: I send standard template letter regarding charges been unfair and I

want them back.

2: No joy with letter 1 then letter 2 which is Letter before action.

3: No joy, Start court action.

 

So far never had to go to part 3 as all have paid up when they received the LBA.

 

Also Vanquis do allow transfers, I did 1 a few months back from my Barclaycard to Vanquis at £700 at %, (thanks Barclaycard).

Try to get a card with online access as then you can set up a transfer to another card.

 

 

George

[surprise]

Normally you own bank should arrange this direct, I can't see how they cannot accept it being direct from one bank to another.

[Mikeyp]

Thanks Biggeorge and suprise. I've just tried again using my halifax CC which has an online facility. When I tried to make the balance transfer halifax reject it. The message reads we do not balance transfers with this bank. So maybe it's a halifax thing. I think I'll try to get a Barclaycard and do it that way. Thanks for your help

[citizenB]

Thanks Biggeorge and suprise. I've just tried again using my halifax CC which has an online facility. When I tried to make the balance transfer halifax reject it. The message reads we do not balance transfers with this bank. So maybe it's a halifax thing. I think I'll try to get a Barclaycard and do it that way. Thanks for your help

 

Can I just confirm that you are trying to transfer your Vanquis card balance over to a credit card with a lower APR/interest rate.

 

Two other credit card providers have rejected your transfer request to have the balance transferred to their cards ?

[pullenfamily]

I will say now I understand the frustration of people on this subject... However.....

 

I have just had a call from Vanquis to process my application, and am over the moon to say that I was accepted and will have my card in about seven days....!!!

 

So, now your all thinking I'm a escaped lunatic, I shall explain...

 

Back in December of 2006 I was declared bankrupt... No excuses, my own fault.. I lived outside my means and suffered the consequences...

 

Since then, I have tried to get a bank account that is actually worth having... Understandably: To no avail

 

I was of course discharged from the bankruptcy in December 2007 and frankly have learnt my lesson... We now live a more 'frugal' lifestyle...

 

I would give my right arm to have a decent bank account that wasn't one of these 'managed' accounts that you get online for about £12.00 pcm I'm talking about a standard high street bank account thats worth having: not a NatWest 'step' account which doesnt permit Direct Debits or Standing Orders..!! A proper account that I can then use to prove to the bank that I can run my finances correctly...

 

Vanquis have been the first company I've contacted that have been prepared to actually take a chance on me... Now I know the interest is high, but then the card is designed for people that are a high risk...? I accept this and am still grateful for the act of faith they have shown in me...?

 

Its not as if I'm goin to burn my credit limit with the card on a new porsche...! I shall use it minimally so the account is active, I shall clear the balance within the allowed limit so I pay no interest, or very little... and hopefully, one day... I can walk into a 'normal' bank with a fistful of account statements, lay them on the desk and say, "Look... I can run my finances properly with regard to credit cards, now please give me a decent bank account..." I mean its not as if I even want the facility of an overdraft..!!

 

So yes, Vanquis ARE expensive, but I was naughty and am now prepared to pay their higher rates to prove my rehab is complete...lol

 

There are no other options that I am aware of...

 

I do, of course, hope and pray to be corrected by the members of this site though...

 

 

PF

[surprise]

Just to correct you on the Natwest Step account. It is actually a very good account to have. You can have direct debits and standing orders. Their charges are only £5 for returned items it also allows you to pay the money in the account for any d/ds etc on the same day.

 

There is no overdraft facility on this account but I personally prefer that as they do not authorise payments if funds aren't available and then charge you excessive fees for going overdrawn.

 

Their clearance on cheques is also fast, I paid a cheque into my account on Monday and funds were available on Wednesday.

[just_jue]

Hi, I have had real trouble with Vanquis on behalf of my son inlaw, sent off my cheque for £10 (SAR) but got nothing worth while back, wrote to them saying were is the statements etc and was told that if we what copies they are £5 each. Have just wrote them another letter saying send us or else just to see what comes back.

 

JJ

[surprise]

Write to them again, they have 40 days in which to supply all the required info under a SAR. Advise them that should they fail to send statements as requested you will report them to the ICO. Do you report it to the ICO as they will contact them.

[MARTIN3030]

I would not be pussyfooting with these.

How have they advised that copy statements are £5 each ?

Have you got this in writing ?

I would file a complaint with the ICO,but its not likely to be much use insofar as getting anything done fast.

Pref I would send a 7 day LBA to Vanquis advising that you will be filing a court order for compliance through the courts and seeking costs.

Did you keep proof of posting of your SAR ?

Have you also got proof of payment ?

How did you send this ?

[just_jue]

Hi, thanks for the input, I have sent the LBA letter two weeks ago but my daughter didn't send recorded so I have told her to resend the letter recorded. I will speak with my son in law to see what the letter said regarding the statements (but I think it was said on the phone).

 

Thanks

 

JJ

[MARTIN3030]

Ah ok-I didnt think it would have been put in writing.

Keep us posted.