Late payment fees

Algie21

Hi, I have several credit cards which I'm paying off gradually but just recently I'm being caught out where the credit card companies are switching off my paper statements without notifying me and then charging me a late fee because I haven't paid. This has happened with two different companies Virgin and Natwest, and because I've recently had my emails hacked into I have changed my email address so I have nothing to notify me that my statement is due. Is this becoming a problem for anyone else??

Dabooka

Nope, I pay in full nowadays but when I did have rolling balances I was reducing, I was always logging on to check balances and the such.

Many would suggest that for someone is your position, maybe a minimum payment direct debit would be a wise consideration.

Algie21

Thanks for your reply but it isnt always as easy as that. Im so busy and between working nights and school runs and running people around everywhere and trying to get a couple of hours sleep, I barely get time to check my emails let alone trying to keep an eye on several different credit card companies. The question I was asking was more to do with the fact of these people switching off my paper statements and not notifying me. I am pleased for you that you have time to browse your balances on line when you feel like it but not always an option for some. The only reason I'm on here now is because its half term and I have a rare night off tonight!!!

redpete

Algie21 wrote: »

Is this becoming a problem for anyone else??

No, and it wouldn't because I have the minimum payment set up with direct debit - would have saved you the late payment charges.

Rafter

Algie,

If they have really not told you they are turning off paper statements, and their systems aren't smart enough to start writing to you if your e-mail account is hacked and closed, then you seem to have good grounds for a complaint and getting these charges refunded.

Put the complaint in writing, give all the facts and be prepared to threaten to refer it to the ombudman if they refuse or only offer a partial refund in the first instance.

Agree with Redpete though - if you always want to make the minimum payments by the due date, the easiest way is to ask them to set up a direct debit for the minimum balance. By law they have to offer this.

Good luck

R.

bouncydog1

You are no different to many other working parents with school runs etc. However you mention that you changed your email - did you notify the card co's? If you didn't then you can hardly say that they didn't notify you. Perhaps they sent a notification to your old address.

Like many others I am also a busy person holding down a full time job etc. etc. but make time to look at emails so that I don't get late payment markers on my accounts!

Suggest you try and schedule in 5 mins per day to run through emails and make sure that you have advised all the co's of your new address to save future issues. You could try speaking nicely to the cc co's to see if they will waive late payments, but unlikelys.

Algie21

I did actually phone up Natwest but I got through to machine after machine and when I finally spoke to an actual person they put me through to another machine, I ended up throwing my phone at a wall!!!!!

Cat2011

It might be worth giving them a ring, they might be kind enough to refund. But to be honest, they'll probably claim that you should have kept your email address with them up to date so "Not our fault guv". Although I understand it can be hard to keep up. Probably best to set up direct debits paying the minimum payment so you never miss a payment in future. Then you can always pay extra on top if you have more money that month.

Dabooka

Algie21 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply but it isnt always as easy as that. Im so busy and between working nights and school runs and running people around everywhere and trying to get a couple of hours sleep, I barely get time to check my emails let alone trying to keep an eye on several different credit card companies. The question I was asking was more to do with the fact of these people switching off my paper statements and not notifying me. I am pleased for you that you have time to browse your balances on line when you feel like it but not always an option for some. The only reason I'm on here now is because its half term and I have a rare night off tonight!!!

Easy tiger!

I was just saying paperless statements for me wasn't a problem, however the information about the minimum payment DD is still sound advice for someone in your position. Get that sorted and you're, well, sorted

jonesMUFCforever

Credit card companies would not convert you from paper to internet only statements without your permission.
Perhaps with your busy life you pressed a button somewhere and missed it.