I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my Paypal Mastercard bill last week. What was that late fee doing there? And the interest charge on top of it? I never pay late!
Further scrutiny showed the balance was $25, the late fee was $29 and the interest was $3 and some pennies.
According to the bill, I now owed $57 on a $25 purchase!
My checkbook showed I’d written the check on the 9th, and I knew I’d mailed same day. But the Mastercard statement showed it posted on the 13th, which was one day late.
They’re never going to remove the late charge, I fumed. At least it won’t go on my credit report. I pulled out my checkbook ready to write a payment for $57. But then I paused.
I dialed the phone number instead. Here’s how the conversation went:
Me: I’d like to speak with someone who has the authority to remove a late fee.
Mastercard rep: I have that authority.
Me: Very good! I just received my bill and was shocked to find a late fee of $29 plus $3 interest. You can see my check was written on the 9th, but due to slow mail or slow posting, it shows as one day late. I think it’s not fair that I am charged more than 100% of the balance. As you can see, I’ve had this account for quite a few years and have never paid late. Could I get the $32 penalty charge removed?
Mastercard rep: Yes, I have now removed the late fee and interest.
Me (with a big smile): THANK YOU! I REALLY appreciate it!
A good ending to a bad story, and all taken care of with one short phone call.
Key Points
- I made the phone call immediately upon receiving the billing statement.
- I asked upfront for someone who had the authority to remove a late fee.
- I had a history of paying on time.
If you have a story to share, I would love to hear it.
I have a question for ya… can a credit company still charge you late fees & interest on a close acct?
*Have A Blessed Day SHALOM ♥ Betty ♥* *Make everyday the best day for * *tomorrow * *is not promise* *The lord said * *”do not commit **against** thy neighbor* ”
On Tue, Mar 30, 2021 at 1:01 PM Ask Carolyn Warren wrote:
> askcarolynwarren posted: ” I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened my > Paypal Mastercard bill last week. What was that late fee doing there? And > the interest charge on top of it? I never pay late! Further scrutiny showed > the balance was $25, the late fee was $29 and the interes” >
Yes, if the account if closed but has a balance owing, then the creditor can continue to charge interest and late fees. The reason is because they are owed money and have not been paid, according to contract. The contract gives them the right to continue to charge. You can verify this by reading the contract you signed when you took out the credit card. If you can negotiate a settlement, like explained in Chapter 15, that may save you a lot of money. One of my book readers emailed me yesterday saying she had agreed to a settlement of 50% of the balance owed.