Money Tips: Problems Making Online Credit Card Payments

Posted On: November 16, 2006

Guest: biaili
Post subject: Problems Making Online Credit Card Payments
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 3:32 am

Before the summer, i started using a new credit card, and then went traveling extensively for the next 2 months. As I have done with previous credit cards–never without a problem– i made payments online thru the credit card company’s web site. I would recieve a little pop-up window saying “thank you” and so i assumed the payment went through. My online statements were such that the payments i made were listed separately on top. I missed the listings of returned payments because they were imbeddded with the rest of the itemized charges.

I’ve since paid off the card in full buy transfering money from my bank to the credit card’s bank. However, now i’m getting ready to apply for my first mortgage and my previous flawless credit rating is ruined. Not to mention the 3 months in late fees.

I’ve called the credit card company numerous times and the reps all claim that it was my fault. The only way they can clear my history is if i can prove the problem was their fault or my bank’s fault. My bank has no record of receiving any requests for payments. As the cc’s online system is set up so that neither me, or any reps can check my bank account’s number, i’m unsure how to prove that it was their fault.

Is there anyway to fight this? Two reps claimed that i must have entered my transfer bank’s account number incorrectly. However, there is no way that i can check this. Even if i could, though, is it really posible that a simple mistyping could cost me thousands of dollars? Something that will happen as a result of not being able to apply for a competitive mortgage rate.

Any advise is much appreciated.

Guest: Polonius
SENIOR MEMBER (Member for 2 yrs.+)
Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:20 am

Sounds like you mistyped the routing number and/or the number of your bank account. (The computers use what you typed–I don’t see it as a computer problem or bank error.) So all the payments you tried to make bounced, and you didn’t notice. That’s your story.

I sympathize, but it sounds like it was your error to me. I’m not a judge or jury, but you had several chances to catch the problem on several statements in several places–including on your own checking account where the payments were not withdrawn.

You goofed. I’d try explaining the problem once again and ask nicely for a one-time forgiveness. Even though there were several lates, they all arose from one typographical error. Point out that the payment funds WERE in your checking account, show some evidence that you WERE traveling, remind them of your past history with them.

Groveling sometimes helps…
_________________
Polonius
“Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend”