Aqua Credit Card Irresponsible Lending Review 2025

Many UK consumers have accused Aqua Credit Card of irresponsible lending approving high credit limits without proper checks. This article explains what happened, how it affects borrowers, and what steps you can take to protect your rights.

Key Highlights

• Aqua Credit Card allegedly approved credit without proper affordability checks.
• Customers report unclear terms and very high interest rates.
• The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Ombudsman protect UK consumers.
• You can raise a complaint or seek compensation if affected.
• Step-by-step guidance included to file and escalate your complaint.

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Irresponsible lending has become a major concern in the UK credit market and Aqua is one of the lenders that often appears in consumer discussions. Many people who used Aqua credit cards later realised their credit limits were increased too quickly, or that they were approved for borrowing they couldn’t reasonably afford.

If you’re trying to understand whether you were affected, this guide will walk you through everything in a clear and practical way.

This article explains how irresponsible lending works, how to check if you might have a claim, and the steps involved in making a complaint. It also includes reference points from UK regulators so you understand the rules lenders must follow.

This guide is informational and should not be taken as financial or legal advice.

What Counts as Irresponsible Lending?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates credit card lenders in the UK, sets clear expectations for responsible lending. A lender must assess whether a borrower can reasonably afford the credit without falling into financial difficulty.

You may have a valid concern if Aqua approved you or increased your limit when at least one of the following applied:

Your income was low or unstable

Lenders should check whether your income supports the credit offered. Quick approvals without proper affordability checks can indicate problems.

You already had high levels of debt

If your credit file showed multiple loans, persistent overdrafts, or missed payments, Aqua should have reviewed your situation more carefully.

You were missing payments on the card before they increased your limit

Many consumers report limit increases even after late payments or struggling with the balance. This is a common pattern linked with irresponsible lending complaints.

Aqua increased your limit multiple times in a short period

If your limit increased rapidly without a new affordability assessment, it may breach FCA guidance.

You were relying on borrowing to cover essential bills

This is a red flag that lenders are expected to pick up on when assessing affordability.

How to Check If You Have a Potential Claim?

A responsible lending claim depends on evidence and patterns in your account history. Before making a complaint, go through these steps.

Look at your old credit reports

Your reports from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion will show:

• Missed payments
• High utilisation
• Outstanding debts
• Any debt collection activity

If your financial position was already tight when Aqua approved you or raised your limit, this is useful supporting evidence. Ocean Credit Card Review

Review Aqua statements

Before making any conclusion, look at this information:-

• Credit limit increases
• Cash withdrawals
• Only making minimum payments
• Repeated late fees or over-limit fees

These patterns support an argument against irresponsible lending.

Check if your credit limit increased even when you struggled

This is one of the strongest indicators. Many successful complaints hinge on this point.

Look at your income during that time

If your income was low or inconsistent, and Aqua still gave you high limits, it may show inadequate affordability checks.

How to Make an Irresponsible Lending Complaint to Aqua?

Aqua must review your complaint fairly under FCA rules. The process is clear if you follow a clear structure.

Contact Aqua’s Complaints Department

Aqua normally prefers written complaints. Their details are below in the contact section. When writing your complaint, describe:

• When you opened the account
• Any credit limit increases
• Your financial situation at the time
• Why you believe the lending was unaffordable
• Any evidence you can provide

Aqua has up to 8 weeks to reply

Under FCA complaint-handling rules, the lender has eight weeks to give a final response. They may:

• Agree with your complaint and offer a refund
• Partially agree
• Reject the complaint

If they reject it or don’t respond in time, you can escalate to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS).

Escalate to the Financial Ombudsman (optional)

The FOS can independently review the case. They look at:

• Your financial state at the time
• Aqua’s actions
• Whether the lending met FCA affordability rules

If the FOS agrees with you, they may instruct Aqua to refund interest and charges.

Aqua Credit Card Complaint Contact Details (Email, Phone and Address)

There are multiple ways to register complaint. User can contact either through the email address provided below or by using the contact number.

Aqua Complaints Email Address

Most Aqua complaints go through their customer service system, but the common support email used by customers is:

[email protected]

Aqua is operated by NewDay Ltd, so this is the correct channel for written complaints.

Aqua Complaints Phone Number

0333 220 2691
Customer Services (UK)

Aqua Postal Complaint Address

Aqua
PO Box 700
Leeds
LS99 2BD

When writing, include your account number, name and a clear summary of the issue.

Aqua Irresponsible Lending Complaint Letter

Here is a simple complaint letter provided. You can use this depending on your situation.

Subject: Aqua credit card Irresponsible Lending Complaint

Dear Aqua Complaints Team,

I am writing to raise a formal complaint regarding irresponsible lending on my Aqua credit card account.

I believe Aqua failed to carry out proper affordability checks when my account was approved and when my credit limit was increased. At the time, my financial situation would not have supported the level of credit provided. This led to financial strain and difficulty managing the repayments. Zilch Credit Card Review

My concerns include

• Multiple credit limit increases despite signs of financial difficulty.
• High levels of existing debt visible on my credit file
• Late payments and reliance on minimum payments
• The income that did not justify the limit offered

I request a full review of my account. Please provide

• A copy of the affordability assessments performed
• An explanation of how Aqua determined the credit was affordable
• A refund of interest and charges if the lending is found to be irresponsible

I look forward to your response within the eight-week timeframe required by the FCA.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]
[Account Number]

What Other Customers are Saying?

People often discuss their experiences on review platforms and forums. Common themes include:

• Being approved despite low income
• Receiving multiple limit increases quickly
• Struggling to make minimum payments
• Large interest charges building up
• Feeling pressured by growing credit limits

While each case is individual, this pattern has been raised by many consumers, which is why irresponsible lending complaints have become more common.

What to Do If Aqua Rejects Your Complaint

A rejection isn’t the end of the process. If Aqua disagrees, and you still believe the lending was unaffordable, you can take the issue to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

How the FOS Reviews a Case

The Ombudsman looks at:

• Your account history
• Your financial position at the time
• Evidence Aqua had access to (including credit reports)
• Whether your limit increases made sense
• Whether Aqua followed FCA lending guidelines

If the FOS rules in your favour, Aqua may need to refund interest, charges and fees related to the period where lending was considered irresponsible.

Impact of Irresponsible Lending on Consumers

Irresponsible lending doesn’t just hurt lender’s reputations, it can have serious consequences for borrowers too. Here is how it can affect you:-

• Mounting Debt – Without proper affordability checks, you could end up borrowing more than you can repay, leading to a cycle of debt.
• Damaged Credit Score– Paying your dues irresponsibly can further harm your credit history.
• Financial Stress – Struggling to keep up with repayments can affect your mental health and overall well being.

Your Rights as a UK Consumer

As a UK consumer, you are protected by laws and regulations designed to prevent irresponsible lending. Here are some of the points you must keep in mind:-

• The Consumer Credit Act 1974 – This law ensures lenders act fairly and transparently. You have the right to challenge them if they don’t have a transparent interest rate and terms & conditions.
• FCA Regulations – The FCA requires lenders to conduct thorough affordability checks and provide clear information about credit terms.
• Financial Ombudsman Service – If you are unsatisfied with how Aqua Credit Card handled your complaint, you can take it to the Financial Ombudsman Service for a fair and independent review.

Knowing your rights is the first step toward holding lenders accountable.

Conclusion

Irresponsible lending complaints can feel complicated at first, but understanding the rules makes the process clearer. The FCA expects lenders to assess affordability properly, and many people have successfully challenged credit decisions that didn’t meet those standards.

Take your time, gather your evidence and be as clear as you can when explaining your situation. If Aqua doesn’t agree, you still have the right to an independent review.

Note: credit cards can be helpful, but only when used responsibly by borrowers and lenders. If something doesn’t feel right, follow the steps described in the article and file a complaint as early as possible after collecting proper evidence.

If you like the information shared in this article then make sure to do share this with your friends and your colleagues.