I've always paid my credit cards by direct debit, set up so that the minimum monthly payment is taken, and then I make extra payments if/when I can. For the past 3 months I've been having problems with 2 of my cards - although I've not used either of the cards for over a year, the lenders don't seem to take enough to keep my account below it's credit limit and then charge me £12 for being over limit. Is anyone else having similar problems? I've had credit cards for years and it's only recently that this seems to be a problem.

Lindy Lu:

Why not ask the lenders why the minimum payment being collected is insufficient. Specifically ask them which clause of the Terms & Conditions they think applies and take very careful note of the response.

Then investigate whether what you were told was 100% accurate.

Thanks for your reply Jalexa - I did ask this last night when they called to take an additional payment but unfortunately they weren't helpful (they basically wouldn't answer any of my questions!). I'll certainly ask in my letter, so it'll be interesting to see what they say!

Lindy Lu:

I did ask this last night when they called to take an additional payment but unfortunately they weren't helpful (they basically wouldn't answer any of my questions!)

Not particularly surprised to hear that. Would be worth digging out the T&Cs and finding the answer. I would be very surprised if the CCC is right, but getting a wrong answer can be very useful (when/if you later complain formally)

Care to name and shame?

It's the Thomas Cook credit card. Have already made a formal complaint to Monument over a similar matter and they are looking into it, although seems to be taking ages. I have a feeling that both are part of the Barclays group, although not 100% sure.

Lindy Lu:

Firstly, thank you for my 15,000 points.

Possibly you have already found this out but the current TC minimum payment is 2.5%. At a typical 19.9% annual rate it's impossible to go over limit while maintaining minimum payments if the card is not being used.

Some payment glitch must have occurred somewhere. If not your payment then it's down to TC.

Financial complaints often take an age but remember if you are not happy 8 weeks after first making the complaint, you are then entitled to refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman System. If you get to 7 weeks I would tell the company what outcome you want within 7 days, and make it clear you will invoke the FOS. That will cost the company a hefty case fee, you nothing. The threat ought to be sufficient.

I've always thought that all credit card companies had to set their minimum payment percentage at such a level that it is possible to completely pay off a CC debt (albeit over a very long period of time) even if you only ever pay the minimum monthly payment - is this not the case?