my total balance was $79. I sent the payment.. they received it 2 days late.. and I was assessed a $29 late fee??? Any way to get this waived? I called customer service and the rep said shouldn't do anything and it was in the service agreement.. i asked for the retention dept and it is closed. Anyone else experience this?
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Yes. Have your account reopened. They start calling (as many times as it takes), bug the hell out of them, escalate to supervisors, whatever it takes. Someone would be willing to issue a credit. One easy way to have things your way is to tell them you won't hang up until they reverse the fee. Reps aren't allowed to hang up on you (unless you use profane language, so don't swear, yell or be nasty). THEN close your account with the Crooks. Saar
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Hey Ender - I used to work at First USA. There's ways around it. If you don't mind me asking a personal question - was this the first late? If so, ask for a supervisor, forgot who the poster is that has the sig. but I fully agree with it "Never accept 'no' from someone who doesn't have the power to say 'yes'" Supervisors have the full power to remove fees, raise credit lines (Up to a certain amt - I think it's 35k), reopen cards (Except for those in lost/prevention/charged-off or lost/stolen), change APR rates, etc. Just remember - each rep is different. Sounds like you got someone who doesn't budge on anything, chances are the next rep will be helpful (Just watch the language and threats - they can leave memos on your account for future reps and basically profile you as a troublemaker)... GT
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou this is my first late.. but i've only had the account open for about 5-6 months?
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou can supervisors raise the limit without pulling an inquiry on their discretion? I alredy have a $25k limit..
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Yes! Although they RARELY do since your limit is so high, anything over 35k requires a financial statement. If it was say a 3k limit and you needed a 1k raise, then they would look at how much you've paid (I.E. if you've only paid minimums then they'll give you the thumbs down, but if you make larger payments it looks good to them). At least, that's how it was back in 98. If it's your first late, demand it to be removed. Tell them you sent it 2 weeks ago - keep them on the defensive and continue hitting them with "why it takes them so long to process payments", how Discover/Amex Ex./other Visa/MC companies always process your payments on a timely basis, etc.
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou this recommendation is for a supervisor, someone that has the power to waive the late fee, right?
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Sorry, forgot to mention - yes, always ask for a supervisor, especially for a late fee.
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Thanks for the advise guys.. i called in and got the credit on. but get this, they said they will apply this in the NEXT billing cycle.. my total bill was for $5.34.. the penalty was $29.. so my total due is 34.34 for the next payment.. with a min. of $10. So he said I would need to pay the TOTAL or OVER $10 and request a check later.. jeez, what a screwed up process. The longer they hold onto your monery, the better.. Anyhow, got it resolved, I paid the $34 and need to get a refund of $29in 60 days since i have to wait until the $29 gets posted and closes..
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Ender, One of the thing FUSA is notorious for is they waive the late fee but don't remove the late....which means if you are late again they hit you with the 2 times late APR. Also, you say the payment was 2 days late. FUSA is notorious for holding onto payments. They claim it takes xx days to process after receipt, etc. This is not allowable. Under the FCBA the payment must be posted to your account on the SAME day it is RECEIVED.
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou are you implying that they keep it in their internal records? Or are you saying that are actually going to report it to the CRA that I was late?? I was late 2-3 days supposedly by what they say.. I sent the payment around 2 weeks before it was due!! How could it be late?? Anyhow, it was taken care of this time.. but I will watch out for the future. I sure HOPE a 30 day late doesn't appear on my CR!!
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou INTERNAL your late...if NOT removed even with a $29.00 credit...if your late again...that's time #2... Also if you don't pay this months bill in full, even if next month you will have a credit balance, you can have late number two and/or interest...
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou It is definitely true FUSA will do this to you....but again I believe they would lose a FCBA suit...I believe it can be argued they are obligated to post the refunded late payment to your account immeidately. I'd love to see them argue their position in court.
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Wife got a LATE with FIRST USA...I called FIRST USA and told them that was IMPOSSIBLE since the check was at my bank one week before they said they got it... I told them that I can have my bank call them if they need to... FIRST USA CALLED IT A COMPUTER GLITCH...(CRA'S show...PAID/NEVER LATE)
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou Originally posted by Ender are you implying that they keep it in their internal records? Or are you saying that are actually going to report it to the CRA that I was late?? I was late 2-3 days supposedly by what they say.. I sent the payment around 2 weeks before it was due!! How could it be late?? Anyhow, it was taken care of this time.. but I will watch out for the future. I sure HOPE a 30 day late doesn't appear on my CR!! No, internal. The records they use to pop you for the 20% late APR. They obviously did not process your check the day they received it. Next time put a delivery receipt on the envelope if you're not paying online. Sue them when they do it again. Its a clear violation of the FCBA. 30 days late at the CRA actually means a full cycle (ie, if you have a 25 day grace its actually 35 days late).
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou You claim you sent your payment in two weeks before it was due and they claim it was 2 days late? Wow! I thought FUSA had stopped that scam. About a year ago FUSA was doing this so often that it caught the attention of the federal regulars and many state AG's. What was going on is that FUSA was offering CC with low intro rates. Then they would sit on payments so they can post them late which allows them to jack up that attractive 9.9 APR to 24 percent. It got so bad that FUSA was almost shut down by regulators. They was also one or more class actin lawsuits filed againts them for this. They dodged that bullet by claiming a company they hired in Las Vegas or Phoenix to process credit card payments was really to blame and fired them. They aren't doing it to screw with your credit. They do it to raise your rates and get some penalty income. I recommend that you start raising holy hell. Your gut is right, it is a scam. The fact that they told you they are going to hold on to the note that it was 2 days late means they plan to jack up your rates and interest. Don't fight this alone. Get the help of your state AG's office. They have a nice fat file on FUSA and this scam. Also, there is a LOT of information on this board about this. Start digging back about a year ago. Perhaps some other posters can help point you to some legal or regulatory resources that can bring pressure to bear. Let us know what state you reside in. That would help. DO NOT ALLOW FUSA to claim this was a late pay internally or externally. It was not. Don't compromise on this point. They are wrong. Not you. Also, close the account and pay it off as soon as you can. Scum bags like that don't need your business. Let them know that.
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou cable666 - well, the guy said that he would waive it only this time.. and it was the computer system. i ended up doing a pay by telephone.. the WHOLE balance jiust so i wouldn't be charged a LATE and underpayment fee or anything.. if it wasn't for the $29 fee, then my balance was ONLY $5.29!!! so i ended up paying 34.29 and will get a refund check in 60 days after the next billing cycle closes.. what logic is that?!?! I said that i dont want to call in again because i was put on hold for so long that it should be automated.. the guy said he would take care of it..whether it really is or not is something i doubt tho..
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou If you want you money FASTER...I would have spent EXACTLY $29.00 on the card at the grocery store or WAL*MART or TARGET or gas...(as soon as you get the $29.00 credit)...THEN I WOULD LET IT SIT IN THE SOCK DRAWER FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS!!!
Re: first usa late fee??? ridiculou This is another totally egregious violation of federal law. You are entitled to a refund check within 7 days under the FCBA. Since I got your attention ender, when did your FUSA start reporting on EXP. How long after approval. Thanks.
