Thursday, November 14, 2024 |
Hey Scott, "Accidentally" late indeed! I had the same issue arise recently (that you talked about in One Day Late, Yeah Right)--was running short on time (my card gives me essentially a weekend to get the payoff--we don't keep a balance) to get my check in the mail. No way can the bill just sit here a few days--we gotta move on it! Anyway, this one sat a few days, and I needed to send it--destination was about 200 miles away--major city to major city--but I still USPSed it registered mail requiring a signature confirmation of delivery. Next statement--Voila!--a late payment fee of $39.00. I contacted the company and asked them why and was informed the payment had arrived late. I countered with the tracking information--emailed it to them--that showed the payment had arrived the day before the due date and had the signature of one of their employees. Slam-dunk right?
Wrong. Instead of apologizing for the clerical error (I really don't believe it was an accident on their part), I was chastised that I need to mail the payment in a week early. I told them it was none of their concern when the payment was mailed--I could FedEx it if I wanted, but rather the date they received it was their interest. Of course that fell on empty ears. They removed the charge (glad I had the proof). Now I will find another primary card for my use--at my convenience. I don't shoot myself in the foot trying to out-draw the other guy. I'm looking for the right card carefully as I am an adherent to the adage "better the enemy you know than the one you don't know." It's all kind of sad... I have seen exposes of collection agencies deliberately losing payments internally to up the late payment and over-limit antes, but not of credit card companies doing this. However, had I not had the proof, I'd be a $39 victim of what I can generously call a "mistake." Do you think "they" record mailing dates and automatically add late fees to a sampling based on that alone? Great website, great advice, great column. Keep it coming Scott! Art Blanchet |
Copyright ©2024 Press One Publishing. All rights reserved. Use or purchase of any material at DebtSmart.com including but not limited to books, articles, and software is subject to the following disclaimer/warning. |