Who are Littlewoods?
Littlewoods accounts are provided by Shop Direct Finance Company Limited, the same company behind Very Pay. The Littlewoods Credit Card is issued separately by Capital One.
Can I claim against Littlewoods?
You could, if any of these sound familiar:
- 01Your limit went up while you were only making minimum payments
- 02Your balance was always close to the limit
- 03You were using it for essentials you couldn’t otherwise afford
- 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
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 Littlewoods
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
The opening limit and first three increases were fair, but Littlewoods limit increases from March 2021 were irresponsible.
Read decision DRN-6011343 - Not upheld
Very and Littlewoods accounts: not upheld, and one account was outside the time limits.
Read decision DRN-5581255
Littlewoods account questions
Can I claim for limit increases?
Yes. Each increase was a separate lending decision, so Littlewoods 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 Littlewoods have to reply?
Eight weeks. If Littlewoods 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 Littlewoods yourself
You don’t need a claims company. You can complain to Littlewoods directly. 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.