Credit card - unfair late payment fee

Peggy0628

Hi, need a bit of advice... I have a credit card, I have a DD set up to pay it off in full every month. Just noticed I was charged a late payment fee as the DD was not collected (enough money was in the account). I have never missed a payment in my life so this is really annoying. What do I do now? Can I complain to the credit card company or my bank (or both)? I'd like the late payment fee refunded and the late payment marker removed form my credit report... Thanks!

cymruchris

Have you spoken to the credit card provider to ask them why it wasn't taken?

When was the last time the direct debit took payment?

Peggy0628

I haven't spoken to anyone because by the time I noticed, they were closed. The payment was due on 8th May and previous payment a month ago (and all the others for over 10 years before that) was collected as normal.

cymruchris

Then get on the phone as soon as they're open and ask them why it wasn't taken when you had more than sufficient funds available. Sometimes a direct debit can be become inactive if it's not been used for 12 months - but if it took the payment last month, then that won't be the issue. You need to find out if it's a failure at the credit card provider, or your bank. Start with the credit card provider, and see what they say. 

Peggy0628

Thanks. It's really strange, I've had both the credit card and direct debit set up for over 10 years and this is the first time it didn't get paid. I just checked my statement and the last DD was taken on 7th April.

cymruchris

Come back and let us know what they say once you've spoken to them.

Dobbibill

Unless some of the funds in the bank account were pending meaning there wasn't enough 'available' funds then they should have taken your DD. 
If it was only due on 08/05 then there may not be a late fee payable and added to your credit report yet. 
Do come back and let us know what they say. 

[Deleted User]

Direct Debits are a "pull" rather than a "push" like a standing order. If the DD was not taken, that is a failure of the bank to take it so you should complain to them, formally if necessary. That said, it seems odd they have done a late payment marker, 8th May was a Sunday and I know for all my credit card direct debts, if it's a weekend, even a longer bank holiday weekend, and the DD date falls on those days, they just take it the next working day and do not mark payments as late.

Be prepared to complain in writing to get them to pay attention but a phone call, polite but firm, pointing out they didn't take the DD and therefore the late payment marker is wrong