My first two late fees!

[queenfluff]

I liked it when they would call me, I would have fun with them. Here was a typical conversation....

Them: Can I speak with Mr. Blah bah?
Me: Speaking
Them: This is such and such from Chase, I'm calling about your account
Me: Great!
Them: You are more than 30 days past due, we really need to get this account current, can you make any type of payment today?
Me: I doubt it
Them: Why not?
Me: Oh I dunno, I'm just not in the mood for that right now
Them: silence
Me: Actually I'm glad you called because I really would like it if you increased my credit limit.
Them: Sir, if you don't take care of this immediately this will be turned over to our legal dept for possible legal action
Me: You mean I might get sued?
Them: Yes
Me: So I might be on Judge Judy? Cool! She's pretty hot, dont ya think?
Click

LOL! OMIGOD! You just made my day!

Guess what? Citibank had been calling me nonstop the last few days even though they are not supposed to as I filed last week. So, even though I was pissed that they were ignoring the rules - today I decided to pickup when they called and see what happened.

They just called like 5 minutes ago and I was surprised that the guy was actually nice and I could actually understand him (no Indian accent!) and I just said that my payment was late which was unusual for me (very true) and wanted to see if I had sent payment or if there was another situation going on. I told him I filed for Ch. 7 on April 30 and that they should have gotten the notice already. I asked if he wanted the case number and he said no just my lawyers name and number. He said he put it on my records and put me on the "no call" list and said he hopes everything works out for me. And that was it - we shall see if I actually do make the "no call" list.

Good thing the guy was nice because I got major PMS today and I ain't in a dealing mood, ya know?

I just read your post now - boy, that would have been a clever thing to say!

We should have a thread of clever collector call conversations. Here is what I think I would say:

Them: You are more than 30 days past due, we really need to get this account current, can you make any type of payment today?
Me: I doubt it
Them: Why not?
Me: My horoscope told me not to give any money to strangers today.

[Seeker40]

I liked it when they would call me, I would have fun with them. Here was a typical conversation....

Them: Can I speak with Mr. Blah bah?
Me: Speaking
Them: This is such and such from Chase, I'm calling about your account
Me: Great!
Them: You are more than 30 days past due, we really need to get this account current, can you make any type of payment today?
Me: I doubt it
Them: Why not?
Me: Oh I dunno, I'm just not in the mood for that right now
Them: silence
Me: Actually I'm glad you called because I really would like it if you increased my credit limit.
Them: Sir, if you don't take care of this immediately this will be turned over to our legal dept for possible legal action
Me: You mean I might get sued?
Them: Yes
Me: So I might be on Judge Judy? Cool! She's pretty hot, dont ya think?
Click

[georgiamommy]

that is awesome! I love your creative thinking!

[Cheeseater]

I am having a hard time not paying all my bills. Watching the fees and interest rates skyrocket while my credit score plummets is difficult to say the least. Thanks to everyone hear I don't feel hopeless but I still feel lousy.

[cantwait]

I'm sure I'm going to be the same way. Our first bill we haven't paid was Due April 26th. I have had about 3 weeks to prepare myself for not paying. Sometimes it's hard, but mostly it's not, because last week was my husband's first check with his new reduced salary. We couldn't have paid them if we wanted to. I'll be glad when these bills are gone, but I wish we would have done this before his salary got cut. We aren't going to have any more money for the month. His salary cut equals the min. payments to the CCs.Basically, it's a wash. We are planning on reaffirming our cars, and they will be paid off in 15 mths and 21 months, so at least when they are done that will help. (If they're still running. They have 130,000 miles plus on each.) I'm thankful that we will probably be able to keep them and our house. Good luck to everyone on here. This forum shows how the stereo-types of people who declare bk are wrong. Look how many of us never had a late payment. For every person who posts, there must be dozens who feel the same way, but don't post.

[time2restart]

I have never made a late payment ever (well, at least not for 10-15 years).

So, since my lawyer told me to stop making payments, it is VERY weird. Also, I'm just concerned that since I won't file until around July possibly, I'm worried about the credit card companies trying to put judgements and garnishments on my checking accounts. I hope they don't before I file.

[Flamingo]

Hey, check it out! Today I got two late fees on my two Chase cards - $40 each one. Only took one day for each one. I have never had a late fee before in my life (well, not on a cc as far as I can remember). No APR increase yet and my Chase checking acct is safe. But I know I can look forward to 29.99% APR on all my cards soon.

I know its not a huge deal but it is such a weird thing for me - getting a late fee - I would have never have allowed it before. So strange a feeling to just let the bills "slide"....To me though, the late fees signify that, the ball is rolling so to speak. Of course, doesn't matter because I get my case number tomorrow and soon my 341 date and I will feel slightly "protected" in a way with that stay!

Funny how I will probably have no late fees on my Citibank account because the card I have waives late fees - don't know how long that lasts though - I think it only for the first 5 days but I have never had to find out before. I guess I will soon!

Ha! Ha! Chase and Citibank!

This calls for "I am now officially late" celebration tonight. Hmmm...
Ok, I have a slightly twisted in my sense of humor here.

Boy did you bring back memories...When the late fees started I felt awful because if the time we spent making sure things were paid on time and not late in the year prior to our filing. Prior to my hubby's job loss, we never had a late payment or bounced check ever. I believe one time we had an automatic payment made on an account and it was credited the day before the next statement was issued and that payment was intended to go to that statement period so that made the payment late. A phone call quickly took care of that as it was quite obvious what happened and just a timing error. So when those fees appear when you actually stop the payments is tough and makes you feel like all past efforts are out the window. But all that shall pass.

[chad9162]

Could anyone offer some advice as to a concise reply to these morons when they call.

When my creditors 1st called I told them I might be able to pay in mid May (stalling). Anyways they still called and it annoyed the crap out me so I started to answer.

Here's what I do...I say...

1. My car broke down
2. I have no money
3. I have no friends or family
4. I might get laid off
5. I'm recording this call so I can track how many times you call me.

Yep that last one kills them. They sort of freak out. I explain to them that they already know I can't pay and that the only reason they're calling is to annoy and harrass me. They say they are allowed to call blah blah blah. I tell them, "Yes, you are allowed to call but not harass me. Its in the Fair Credit thing" (haha don't even know what its called but they still freak out when I mention it).

I again say, "If you know I can't pay then why are you calling me?" They usually repeat themselves and then I remind them I'm just going to record everything. Most of them fold. One of them told me the call was already being recorded implying I didn't need to record it because they'd give it to me. I said, "Awesome, can you e-mail it to me."

He freaked out and said, "No, ahh ahh I need something in writing." I said, "See its a good thing I'm recording you." He was done after that. Another one tried to "guilt me" and said I had used the credit and blah blah blah. I said, "You're right I'm a LOSER, but I still don't have the money. Anything else?" She was done after that.

Ironically no one would give me their full name or ID#. Chase connected me to a supervisor and when I explained the harassment she just agreed and said yes yes yes yes. She thought she was being recorded. Juniper guy wanted to argue but finally said he could stop the calls. I said great and hung up.

Anyways my phone has stopped ringing and haven't heard from anyone in a few days.

So that's what I did. I told all my creditors to put in their computers that when they call me expect to be recorded. It seems that giving them notice about harassment slows them down a bit....

[epiphany]

I just quit paying as well, Discover just called told them I couldn't pay they offered to cut my rate a take a small payment. Like you I was only late once by mistake. It has been very difficult and I know it will only become worse. But as our president said today "there is no shame in doing what you have to do to deal with unreasonable creditors". Could anyone offer some advice as to a concise reply to these morons when they call. I have been answering and saying I can't pay and am reviewing all my bill to come up with a plan to move forward. I worry I may be saying too much, I don't anticipate filing until July.

It's hard to give any one indivudual advice on this because you can take 100 of us who have been here and get 100 different results even when dealing with the same creditors. It worked for me (for the most part) to tell the creditors that I was filing even before I had a lawyer.

If you are seriously filing in July, there is not enough time for any of them to sue you and get a default judgment. I do believe I had one who sped up the process on this information, but they were cut at the pass when I filed.

On the other hand, telling them you are filing could get a few of them off your back now.

It's a crap shoot really. But the odds are in your favor if you stick to a schedule.

Best of luck to you,
ep

[Blackadder]

I know not paying a bill on time was completely alien to me. Overall my big 3 CC companies were OK. Amex was the most aggressive, plus I gave them too much info the first time. That led to it being transferred to some outfit in India (they were pretty nice). BofA called once, and Chase never did anything.

Loving the new found freedom and control with all the rest of bills now that the weight of the CC debt has been removed.

My 341 is next week so hopefully I'm getting close to the end of this tunnel.

[hopefulbk]

Haha the title of your post made me smile. All my life I did whatever it took to get my bills paid on time. I still find myself waking up in the middle of the night thinking "crap, did I pay so and so?!" But it doesn't matter anymore. I've noticed I'm a lot more laid back and can't wait for a fresh start. For once, the beginning of the month (tomorrow) won't cause me any headaches over bills.
Enjoy!

[WillinVT]

I stopped paying on all my cards in mid April. My Chase card is due on the 6th of May and I have a balance of $1.00 in my account. Can't wait for the calls to start pouring in on that one. As of now, I am late on 4 accounts and I receive roughly 20 calls a day between the 4 of them. Haven't talked to a single person yet. All calls go to my cell which I leave on to see how many missed calls I have at the end of the day.

Before I stopped paying on my Juniper card, my interest rate was around 3.99% and the day after I missed my payment, it shot up to 23.99%.

I can't wait to get rid of all this crap....

[atlbankrupt]

I agree with LuciluS's advice.

[LuciluS]

I just quit paying as well, Discover just called told them I couldn't pay they offered to cut my rate a take a small payment. Like you I was only late once by mistake. It has been very difficult and I know it will only become worse. But as our president said today "there is no shame in doing what you have to do to deal with unreasonable creditors". Could anyone offer some advice as to a concise reply to these morons when they call. I have been answering and saying I can't pay and am reviewing all my bill to come up with a plan to move forward. I worry I may be saying too much, I don't anticipate filing until July.

Have you hired an Attorney yet? If not, set up some Free Consultations. Our Attorney allowed us to give him $300 & we could start referring phone calls to him.

I've spoken to all CCs' at least twice because the 1st time I gave them too much information. Told them we would be filing in Dec. So when they called back, I just gave them the Attorney's name, address and phone #. When they would ask questions, I would just say talk to my Attorney.

Yea, try not to give them any info. If you haven't retained Attorney, Yet, just don't answer the phone if it's a number you don't recognize (assuming you have caller ID). I don't answer the phone anymore.

If you have a checking account with any of the CCs' you are going to Bankrupt, immediately move your checking account. Lots of people on this forum recommend moving your checking account anyway. However, my Attorney said there was no reason to do that as a CC or collector would have to petition the Court to take monies out of your checking Account.
Besides that, I've got my SSD direct deposited into our Account and have several Auto-Pays (not CCs) drafted from our Account and it is a hassle to change them.

Luci

[Cheeseater]

I just quit paying as well, Discover just called told them I couldn't pay they offered to cut my rate a take a small payment. Like you I was only late once by mistake. It has been very difficult and I know it will only become worse. But as our president said today "there is no shame in doing what you have to do to deal with unreasonable creditors". Could anyone offer some advice as to a concise reply to these morons when they call. I have been answering and saying I can't pay and am reviewing all my bill to come up with a plan to move forward. I worry I may be saying too much, I don't anticipate filing until July.