Friday, June 12, 2009

ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNING REGARDING CARE CREDIT/ GE MONEY BANK

Ok, so there really isn't an Attorney General warning out (that I know of) regarding Care Credit /GE Money Bank, but there should be!

So, here's the story.

I needed to get a crown put on a tooth. Not having enough money or the use of a credit card, I applied for a card through CareCredit. I was approved for $1,000.00. I used $534.38 of it for the crown. Cool - I got to save one of my teeth!

And now the fun begins!

I made one payment off $88.00 - well over my required minimum due, and even paid it before it was due! I made that payment on line at the GE Money Bank website. That payment went through just fine.
I made the next payment, on line also. for some reason it did not go through. Neither did the next 3 or 4 payments. I made up the payments as soon as possible either by phone or by mail. Now they were wanting to charge me for late fees and check return fees. NO way! I wrote them a letter stating that I didn't think I should have to pay these fees when this wasn't my fault that the payments didn't go through.
They sent a letter back saying I would not have to pay them.
I kept paying by mail, not trusting the on line thing.

I found myself at one point knowing my payment would not make it there in time, so I tried the online thing again, by the monthy due date. Guess what - the online payment didn't go through.

Now for some silly reason at one point, I signed up for their "insurance policy" - not sure why I did that - it cost me a little over $6.00 every month - heck, I'm already out of work!

So, anyway total due date was approaching, and I sat down and figured out how much I believed I still owed them. I paid that amount the day before the due date. However, they were already showing that I owed them more money than I thought I owed - a combination of finance charges, late fees and return fees?
OOPS - I had missed one of the insurance fees - so in reality I was short by $6. and some odd cents in my final payment, which I paid by the end of the month that the TOTAL was due.

OH yeah -did I mention this was a promotional thing - as long as you make your payments on time, and pay off the total by the due date you won't be charge finance charges. when I asked about those charges showing up on the bill, I was told by 2 different people that I would not be charged those as long as I paid it off on time.
I should also mention, I have used the same checking account with other companies to make payments on line with out any problems. This is the only company I have had problems with online payments.

So, technically speaking, I made every payment on time. The total due was paid on time - except for $6.00.
Do you think I should have to pay the late fees, check return fees and finance charges?

I wrote the AG's office in Florida and labeled it "Price Gouging" although technically it may not be due to a storm or something of that nature, it is price gouging or certainly unfair billing practices.

6 comments:

Aunt Jane said...

OMG Oh no. Oh crap. Those e*&@^%$$ icky people. Oh so this is your legal problem. Jeepers I am sorry this has happened to you. Those scammers, those preditory lenders, those cheats. No, I dont think you sould have to pay anymore, maybe the six frikin dollars maybe.
I know, it's so difficult to get one's teeth worked on. I have 10 cavities I cannot afford to get fixed. Wah wah wah
Love, Aunt Jane
p.s. Fight them, baby!

Unknown said...

Hi Aunt Jane! I wish that was my only legal problem! well the other legal stuff involves my kids - I'm just sort of in the middle of it.
I did pay the 6 something - as far as I'm concerned I shouldnt have to pay them any more $!
OW - 10 cavities - oh yuck that just leads to them getting worse and ending up with crowns or having them pulled - not a happy choice! sorry.
Glad you stopped by! :-)

Aunt Jane said...

Hi Dragon Lady,
I took your advice and now have an artfire shop. FantasyArt. I like the site so much I became a verified member. Now if I can sell some things so I can get my teeth worked on!
Love ya, Auntie Jane

Unknown said...

oh -Dragon Lady Jane - I thought you already had one on there! I'll have to go pay a visit to your shop!

Aunt Jane said...

Hey! Thank you. I think you were twittering about me! No? Yes? Dragonneer Matie

Unknown said...

maybe!:-)