unfair credit card?

Question

Hi there. i recently made a couple of late payments but paid immediately the next month on top of the fine. ive been a loyal customer for years and had a low interest rate but now they have withdrawn this rate. i wrote a polite letter of complaint explaining the reasons, but they declined to change my rate back to the low rate. now they have reduced my credit limit which i intended using to help with a mortgage. can i complain to an ombudsman about their treatment, any help appreciated, thanks

thanks but i don't need my dads gold card, i have my own platinum cards.
Ive transfered the amount but i really wanted to hold on to my good credit limit and rating.. cheers anyway guys

Answer 1

Let's see if I have this correctly....

YOU AGREED to the terms of usage and now that YOU have FAILED to follow those terms ("a couple of times") and the credit card company has adjusted your account as stated in the terms of agreement...

YOU'RE PISSED.

Answer 2

if you knew you were going to be late a couple of times, you should have called the creditor in advance to advise them, because you have been a loyal customer for however many years, they would have waivered the charge for you.

You cannot write to the ombudsman because you have signed a credit agreement and breached it.

You can only write to the ombudsman if you have not had a satisfactory response to the complaint. READ THE TERMS AND CODITIONS and it no doubt say if you miss payments then the interest rate will be raised. If the raise in the interest rate is not mentioned in the terms and conditions.... then write to the ombudsman and the CREDIT SERVICES ASSOCIATION

You were late making the payments, on two occasions. Them reducing your credit limit is the consequence, sure that would be in the terms and conditions.

Answer 3

There's not much you can do about this. Companies that offer low ("teaser") rates usually have a penalty rate, too, and you will get moved up to the penalty rate when you miss payments. All this is outlined in the fine print that comes with the card. If you don't agree with it, either do not open the account, or be extra aggressive about not paying late. You should always read the fine print that comes with the credit card before activating it--- there are some pretty nasty surprises in there, always to the credit card company's favor, and by using your card you are agreeing to their terms. You're at their mercy once you miss a single payment!

Answer 4

There is very little you can do to get your old rate back. Under the terms of the account, they can raise your rates if you are late on a payment (even once). They can also lower your limit at any time when they feel that you are in danger of not being able to pay the account.
Credit is not a right with these company's but rather a priviledge and the card company's want to make sure they get paid.
I have one card that does this to me on a regular basis (lowering my limit) simply because I have to much outstanding debt (not with them, but in total). They lower it for 6 months, I pay off my other debt, and they raise it again.
The rates however are another issue. You can ask for a lower rate, but they are not obligated to give it to you. If you are unhappy with them, no longer use the account and take your business elsewhere.

Answer 5

We all mess up ! ! !

It is in your contract that they can and USUALLY DO what has happened to you. If you have any other credit cards they may also LEGALLY Follow Suit.

So now that you've got a much higher interest rate your next step is to THREATEN TO close your account. This PROBABLY won't work.

Then you'll be tempted to close your Account; but that is a bad idea because if you do your FICO SCORE will go down further( its already has gone down some because of your late payments)

so THE SOLUTION is to only charge $20 per month FROM NOW ON with this company(just enough to keep it active) and then ALWAYS PAY THAT AMOUNT ON TIME

LOL

Answer 6

You could try looking for another card, but most credit cards have a rule called the Universal Default, which says you can miss one payment, and they can automatically move your rate up to 29.99%, and if that one card does it, your other credit cards can also raise their rates to the maximum because they now see you as a risk. It's a shame for a one-time late kind of situation, but most cards have this rule. Have you tried calling and talking to a customer service representative rather than writing a letter? You could ask for your credit limit to be increased also.

Answer 7

Well what did you expect. You defaulted on the agreement which gives every legal right to do exactly what they did.

You could try changing cards but under the universal default rule any other cards you apply for now will look at your credit and see that you made late payments.

I would suggest you call customer service and speak with a manager. They may be able to help you.

Answer 8

Unfortunately they can do that....If you read your account disclosure info. If you default on a payment they can change your rates. I suggest changing credit card companies. Often times you can find a company that will allow you to transfer your balance at a low introductory or even fixed balance transfer rate with a low APR.

Also, if you have a regular bank that you use like Bank of America or Wells Fargo often times they give their customers better rates on their credit cards since they have accounts with them. Check out American Express and Capital One. You can usually apply online. Good Luck!!!

Answer 9

I always find it better to talk to someone rather than writing. If you get someone on the phone it usually helps. Call them and explain how you feel and that you will cancel the card because of this and you should get results. Good luck....

Answer 10

Think about transferring your balance to another card with a better rate.