Question and a Hello

[chapter7inpa]

First off hello to everyone here, I have been lurking for a few months and finally decided to join the site.

I have a question for everyone here. Our chapter 7 was just filed on the 30th of April. Everything has been going fine but last week I noticed that my Bank that I have a checking account with and a 2nd Home Loan stopped allowing me to make payments for the loan online.

I called their service department and was told that when you file for BK they stop allowing you to pay online. You must go to a Branch (which is a PITA) or pay over the phone (which costs $12.00).

So my question is...is this normal practice to make it harder to pay the loan? I have never missed a payment, always on time and a customer for 10+ years.

Is the bank allowed to do this? And if so why would they deny an online payment? Sounds pretty stupid to me.

Again thanks and love the site!

[Flamingo]

It does happen and what is going on with your 2nd home loan is that since you filed BK, they put your account on alert and have probably moved it to their BK section. You may have to now take your montly payment stub to the bank for payment or find out if you can mail it in and to what address - addresses for any mortgage payments where the account is moved to a BK section can change from what is listed in the payment book or on the monthly statement.

[chapter7inpa]

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully they will start mailing me a monthly payment again since they stopped sending one a year ago. Driving to the bank to make a simple payment can be a PITA and is just a waste of gas.

Do you know why they do this though? Does it really make a difference where the bill is paid as long as I pay it?

Thanks Again Flamingo.

[lrprn]

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully they will start mailing me a monthly payment again since they stopped sending one a year ago. Driving to the bank to make a simple payment can be a PITA and is just a waste of gas.

Because of your automatic stay, the bank cannot send you a bill of any kind. That would be a violation.

You will just have to remember when to pay your loan until your case is discharged. As long as you make the payments on time in whatever manner you choose, you'll be fine.

Have you considered using online bill pay to make your mortgage payments if your bank has that? (You could also set up a new checking account at another bank that does have it if you wish.) Most online bill pay systems can be set up to pay any bill exactly the way you want - only when you want a payment made, automatically send a payment on a specified date, etc.

We've been paying our primary mortgage using online bill pay now for two years - works like a charm AND gives us reliable, objective proof we did make the payment in case there's ever any question.

[cleo1357]

Any reason why the payment can't be mailed with a letter dictating the name and account number to be applied to?

[chapter7inpa]

Because of your automatic stay, the bank cannot send you a bill of any kind. That would be a violation.

You will just have to remember when to pay your loan until your case is discharged. As long as you make the payments on time in whatever manner you choose, you'll be fine.

Have you considered using online bill pay to make your mortgage payments if your bank has that? (You could also set up a new checking account at another bank that does have it if you wish.) Most online bill pay systems can be set up to pay any bill exactly the way you want - only when you want a payment made, automatically send a payment on a specified date, etc.

We've been paying our primary mortgage using online bill pay now for two years - works like a charm AND gives us reliable, objective proof we did make the payment in case there's ever any question.

Thanks, It's not that big of an issue, just more of an annoyance.


As for online pay, that is what my main question was about. I have been paying the bill online for the past 3 years, now they will not let me do it. I'm still able to pay my First Mortgage online though but that is through PHFA.

I just wanted to know if this was normal and I guess it is. Thanks Again.

BTW I'm glad I found this forum, I would have never known about PACER. I just used it yesterday for the first time and l thought it was great.

[chapter7inpa]

Any reason why the payment can't be mailed with a letter dictating the name and account number to be applied to?

Yea, I'm calling for the address this week and will start doing that.