how can i get my credit card to block its usage when its at the limit?

Question

i hate how credit card companies will allow customers to go over the limit and then charge them $40 for going over. is there a way that you can tell your credit card company to just block any purchases if you are over your limit? for example, if i have a $1000 limit and i have already bought $998 worth of stuff, and now i walk into a store to buy something that is $3. that should be blocked coz it would bring the balance up to $1001 which is over the limit.

Answer 1

Hello There!

I know exactly what you mean! And if that purchase was for a large bottle of soda, that $3 bottle of soda could end up costing you $43.00! PLUS. . .PLUS, they then dramatically increase your interest rate for going over the limit too! And you could be charged thousands of dollars over the years in additional fees. IT IS OUTRAGEOUS!

This happened to me several years ago, and I called them up and was told by them that I "SHOULD HAVE KNOWN MY BALANCE AND NOT GONE OVER THE LIMIT!"

I told them that if a purchase was going over my limit, then it should have been declined. But quite frankly, I got nowhere with this particular company. I hope that they are not all like that! They told me flat out that it was my responsibility to know how much was available, and to not go over the limit.

In recent years, there have been more and more predatory practices by the Credit Card Companies in general. Now, I don't use Credit Cards at all! I have thrown them all away. And it will take years and years of payment at the minimum payment to pay them off. So, I have paid off most of them at an excellorated pace, but still have one more to go.

I don't know how this practice of allowing a purchase to push you over the limit, incur a big penalty, and jack up your interest rate has been allowed to continue unchallanged. So, watch your statements from the Credit Card Company, because when it comes time for them to 'review' your account, your interest rate will probably jump too!

And remember, you are and will be paying the interest on the penalty too! So, if you just don't pay them off and get rid of them, your $3 bottle of soda could be costing you hundreds of dollars in the run.

How they get away with this is a BIG DISGRACE! What happened to the laws to protect consumers from predatory lending practices?

It is just unreal!

Answer 2

I don't think it's possible, because sometimes different vendors send things in at different times, so it LOOKS like you still have credit, but then BOOM, some vendor sends in a bill and there you go over. You'd be really mad if you still had $100 credit left, and then they cut you off "just in case," right?

YOU have to take responsibility, but it is really easy. I keep my credit card in an old check register (this is a notebook that shows how many checks you've written and for how much). Every time you make a purchase, write down the date, the store, how much your purchase was. Figure out the balance after each shopping trip (or after each transaction, if you are close to your limit).

When you get your statement, check your register against your statement -- sometimes stores make mistakes when they charge you! Just like a check book, add up the charges that didn't clear, and add that to the statement total, and that should equal the balance you have in your register. If it doesn't, then someone has made a mistake -- probably you. Go back and check your math.

I went over my limit a few times, but after I started writing down every purchase, I NEVER did. I always know exactly how much I've spent. Take responsibility -- the credit card companies are in business to make money, not lend you free money. But if you are careful, you'll never have to pay an over-the-limit charge (or even interest!) again.

Answer 3

Let me get this straight you need the credit card company to control your spending. God help you. As you have found out, at least at an early age, don't count it. That is like asking the hungry fox to watch the hens.
You need to put that card away now. Do not use it again until you get the balance to zero.
By the way the card company could block those transactions, but then they wouldnt make $40 overlimit fees.

Answer 4

I do not think that is possible (I wish it was). I know credit cards make most of their money on fees such as over limit fee.

They probably will never give that option due to the fact that they would lose to much money.

Good luck

Answer 5

Put the credit cards in the paper shredder.... NOW!

Answer 6

dont use it or cancel the orders you made then put it in a safe place??

Answer 7

I don't think u can