Who are Capital One?
Capital One (Europe) plc is the UK arm of the US card issuer. As well as its own cards, it issues the Very Credit Card and the Littlewoods Credit Card.
Can I claim against Capital One?
You could, if any of these sound familiar:
- 01Your limit went up while you were only making minimum payments
- 02You maxed out the card soon after getting it
- 03You were using it for everyday bills or cash
- 04You were already struggling with other debts
Limit increases count too. Each one was a lending decision, so each can be looked at.
What you could get back
Average credit card claim£2,0431
Interest on unaffordable lendingRefunded
Fees and chargesRefunded
Interest on your refundAdded
Missed payment markersRemoved
Refunds usually cover interest and charges on the part of the balance that shouldn’t have been lent. If you still owe money, a refund may reduce your balance.
Ombudsman decisions about Capital One
Published Financial Ombudsman decisions show how complaints like these are judged. Where a complaint is upheld, it is often only from a certain date or for certain lending. Every complaint is decided on its own facts, so these are examples, not a guide to what you’ll get.
- Upheld
A £500 limit and an increase to £1,250 were irresponsible because existing debts of around £24,000 weren’t properly taken into account. Interest and charges were removed and the credit file corrected.
Read decision DRN-5856779 - Partly upheld
Increases from July 2015 (to £1,750, then £2,000) were unfair. Interest and charges on balances between £1,000 and £2,000 were removed from July 2015.
Read decision DRN-5802491
Capital One credit card questions
Can I claim for limit increases?
Yes. Each increase was a separate lending decision, so Capital One should have checked it was affordable each time.
Will my account be suspended?
Some lenders suspend the account while they look into an affordability complaint. Ask the lender if you’re unsure.
How long does Capital One have to reply?
Eight weeks. If Capital One hasn’t sent a final response by then, or you’re unhappy with it, the complaint can go to the Financial Ombudsman, normally within six months of the final response.
How far back can I claim?
Usually six years from the lending, or three years from when you realised you had cause to complain, whichever is later. Where an account is still running, the ombudsman has sometimes looked back further.
Complain to Capital One yourself
You don’t need a claims company. You can complain to Capital One directly using its complaints page. If you’re unhappy with the answer, or it hasn’t replied within eight weeks, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman. Both are free.