A $2,000 mistake I made by not checking my auto-pay

I had a credit card payment set up on auto-pay from a checking account I closed. I missed the failed payment emails for two months, and the late fees plus interest hit over $2,000. It was a bad week of phone calls and scrambling to move money. Has anyone else had a simple auto-pay setup turn into a big problem?

3 comments

3 Comments

spencer_kim852mo ago

Honestly, that "bad week of phone calls" sounds way too familiar. I had a similar mess with a gym membership. Tbh, calling them directly and explaining the closed account got most of the late fees waived. I had to pay the missed months, but they dropped the penalties after I set up a new payment right then.

keith2792mo ago

My buddy got hit with $200 in late fees from his old cable company after a bank switch. He recorded the call where they said the account was clear, sent them the audio file, and they wiped the whole thing clean.

brookefox18d ago

Record everything, always. That's the move now. Companies bank on you not having proof, especially with anything automated or phone based. @keith279, your buddy probably saved himself a headache down the line too, since they can't deny it when you've got the recording. It's crazy how we all have to act like legal teams just to handle basic bills.