Using your credit card and managing your account

Using your card
You can use your card in any shop or cash machine at home or abroad, that displays the MasterCard or Visa symbol, depending on your type of card.

Cash withdrawals and credit card cheques are usually charged at a different interest rate to the purchase interest rate.

Cash advances are subject to a handling fee of 3% (minimum £3). Any transactions you make overseas will also incur a foreign currency exchange fee of 2.95%.

Most of our products also have fees on balance transfers and cheques.  Please see your Credit Card Conditions or monthly statements for more details.


Monthly payments
The minimum monthly payment you must make will be shown on your statement, including the date your payment must reach us by.

You can make your payments by

• Bill Payment – this can be done online if you are registered with our online service - or if you have a Bank of Scotland Current Account call 08457 21 31 41 (Mon-Sun 24 hours) – If you do not have a Bank of Scotland Current Account you can make payments or set up a standing order through your own banks telephone banking service, you will need to provide your bank with the following information.

Sort code no. 80-20-42
Account no. 00157199

Your reference number which is your 16 digit card number (It is important that this is correct)

Please allow 4 working days before your payments to reach us by date.

• Direct Debit – This can be set up online if you are registered with our online service – This can only be for the minimum or full monthly payment and you will need to provide us with your bank account number and sort code – call us on 08453 00 03 23 (Mon-Fri 0700-000 Sat-Sun 0800-1800) to set up over the phone or request a mandate.
• By Post – Complete the payment slip attached to the bottom of the statement and send a cheque to Bank of Scotland Card Services, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline KY99 4BS, or in the envelope provided with your monthly statement  – please make your cheque payable to the cardholder (the person whose name appears on the statement) e.g. Mr James Brown and your 16 digit card/account number – this may be different to the way you normally write a cheque – please allow 7 working days for your payment to reach us.
• In the branch – Call into any Bank of Scotland branch – simply hand in the giro credit slip with cash or a cheque – please allow 4 working days before your payment to reach us by date.
• Switch/Debit Card – You can pay via Switch or Debit card if you are registered with our online service.
• International Payments – When making payment from an overseas bank account you may be asked to give our Iban and Swift/Bic code.

Iban - GB60BOFS80204200157199
Swift/Bic -BOFSGB21114

Important information

• Do not send cash in the post
• Please remember to allow extra time for your payment to reach us over bank holiday periods
• There is a £12 charge for payment not received on or before the payment to reach us by date

If you require any other information regarding payments please contact our customer service team on 08453 00 03 23 (Mon-Fri 0700-000 Sat-Sun 0800-1800).

Please note that at the moment payments cannot be made using the Faster Payments Service (FPS).

For more details, see the reverse of your monthly statement.


Change your statement payment due date
If you want to change the date your monthly credit card payments are due, perhaps to coincide with your pay day, just call 08453 00 03 23(Mon-Fri 0700-000 Sat-Sun 0800-1800) and we'll change the date for you.

There is a £5 fee for changing the date more than twice in any 6 month period.


Credit card statement enquiries
If you have a query about a particular transaction on your statement, call us on 08453 00 03 23 (Mon-Fri 0700-000 Sat-Sun 0800-1800).


Cancelling lost or stolen credit card cheques
If you lose or have your credit card cheques stolen, you should call us immediately on 08453 00 03 44 (Mon-Sun 24 hours) and we will then cancel them.

There is no charge for this service.


Lost, stolen and damaged credit cards
If you lose or have your credit card stolen, you should call us immediately on 08453 00 03 44 (Mon-Sun 24 hours).  We will then cancel the card and arrange for a replacement to be sent to you.

If you are abroad please call (44) 01315 49 80 50 (Mon-Fri 0700-000 Sat-Sun 0800-1800).

If your card is damaged, you can arrange for a replacement to be issued by calling 08453 00 03 23 (Mon-Fri 0700-000 Sat-Sun 0800-1800).


Your credit card PIN
With the introduction of Chip and PIN, you will have to key your PIN when you make purchases at Chip and PIN participating retailers.  If you enter your PIN incorrectly three times, then your PIN and card will become locked.

If you use your credit card to make cash withdrawals, your card will taken by the cash machine after nine consecutive incorrect attempts.

If you've forgotten your PIN, you can now request a PIN reminder which will be sent through the post. Simply sign into the online service and select 'PIN reminder' from the left hand menu or drop-down box. Your PIN reminder will then be sent to you by post within 3 to 5 working days.

Please note that for security purposes, we cannot provide your PIN details over the phone.

You can change or unlock your credit card PIN at any cash machine that displays the Link symbol.  Just follow the on-screen instructions. Usually this is found within the pin services option.

Note: you cannot change or unlock your pin abroad


Changing your address
To update your address, complete the Change of address form and post it back to us.

If you’re an online user, a link to this form is also available online by selecting ‘My preferences’ from the ‘My accounts’ page.

Sign in now or register for our online service

You can also change your address by calling our customer services dept. on 08453 00 03 23 (Mon–Fri, 7am–12am, Sat-Sun 8am–6pm).  You will need to have your credit card when you call to change your address over the telephone.

Updating your name
To change the name on your credit card account, you’ll need to visit your local branch, taking with you your original name-change documentation (Marriage Certificate, Deed Poll, etc).


Credit card services available online
Manage your credit card online and you'll have access to the full range of online card services:

• View your last statement and balance
• View any recent transactions – these will appear on your next statement
• Pay your monthly card statement online
• Request a new credit card limit (subject to status) – in most cases this will be available to use straight away!
• Transfer balances from other credit or store cards
• Apply to set up additional cardholders – ideal if you want to give your son or daughter a card for emergency use whilst on holiday or at university
• Pay automatically each month by Direct Debit – choose to pay either the minimum or full amount each month.  Particularly useful if your statement payment is due whilst you're away on holiday
• Request a PIN reminder online – this new service allows you to request a PIN reminder if you forget it, which will be sent by post
• Choose to receive your card statements (including any Notice of Default Sums), and changes to account conditions online rather than by post, and archive them for up to 2 years

To make use of these services, you'll need to register for our online service.  If you're already registered for the online service, you simply need to add your account to your 'My accounts' page.


Closing your account
We're sorry to hear that you wish to close your account. To close your account please call our customer services department on 08708 50 02 43* (Mon-Fri 0800-2100 Sat 0900-1700), or write to us at the following address:

Customer Services
Halifax
Card Services
Pitreavie Business Park
Dunfermline
KY99 4BS