I have held an MBNA card for many years, with a credit limit of £9500. Last Friday, when in a store, my card was rejected. I immediately phoned MBNA, to be informed that it was the CREDIT ASSESSMENT Dept that had placed a 'block' on my card. Nobody could explain to me why my card had been blocked as "that department only works until 5pm on Fridays, and don't work weekends. So, I have had a ruined weekend, wondering what the problem is. I rang this morning, and was told that my spending pattern raised concerns, and that I have made 2 balance transfers over the last 2 months to the same company (M & S Money). They asked me why, and I told them that as they often send me masses of literature to do just that, I made use of the offer! The female on the phone said that she had looked at my credit history file with Equifax, and that although I was completely up to date with all my commitments, and no arrears, defaults of CCJ's - she could not lift the block on my account. She then started THE HARD SELL to offer me a SECURED loan to clear all my bills. I was dumbfounded by this - as I explained to her, why would I want to secure unsecured debt; when the only person that benefits is them. I said to her that there was an article in the newspapers warning people of exactly what she had done - and I warned her that I found it most unethical to be selling in this way.