Sainsbury Credit Card

[jw47]

My 81 year old sister had her purse stolen 4 years ago, she cancelled her bank cards but now can't remember if her Sainsbury credit card was in at, she knows she hasn't used it for a long time. However this weekend she has received 2 letters suposdly from Sainsburys ( I haven't seen them yet) Apparently one letter says she owes £5 for missed minimum payments for July and August this year 2022 , other letter say court proceedings may be considered. Of course she is worried, I said if her card had been stolen and used in 2019 she would have had received statements etc . She tried phoning number on letter but apparently lines are busy . I can't get over to see her until end of this week, so am wondering if there is any advice I can give her beforehand. I must admit she is getting quite forgetful lately. Thanks

[Peter Pedant]

oh Bad luck
bit of a nightmare
when you go over get her to sign a doc saying you can act for her

I think you need to see the docs first -

good luck

[calmck]

If the letter has the card details contact Sainsburys and ask them to cancel the card while you try to trace her bank statements etc

[bhg481]

If it was 4 years ago there's a real chance the card has expired - worth checking.

[Hopkirk]

I've been trying to think of a scenario to explain this. You are right. It is very unlikely be the thieves four years ago using it.

I suspect the card was stolen but had a nil balance at the time. She therefore has not used it, and not have the thieves. It finally expired so she was sent a new one. In her forgetful state she has used it, but not made any payments.
What is odd is that she should have been receiving statements, unless she had gone paperless on line.

[puzzled54]

Possible standing orders on the card, tho it seems unlikely after 4 years

[jw47]

You are correct Hopkirk, I finally sorted it out for her The old card
had been blocked, new one sent which she used to buy House insurance giving them new number. Statements were sent to an old e mail number . All sorted now and bank paid and insurance company deleting the card so she needs to pay next year's premium by another method.

[Rosetta]

well done, I bet that was no easy task. It might be worth looking at Power of Attorney for the future if needed

[Peter Pedant]

christ I would never have thought of that....

[Canary42]

This in my view is a major drawback of the Paperless trend being pushed upon us by financial institutions. I continue to insist on paper trails for all mine and I check my statements very carefully.