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$1000 error - crazy credit card story

November 19th, 2009 at 04:05 am

I made a HUGE mistake paying one of my credit cards last month. The balance was about $3000 (we charge everything and pay off each month). I tried to make an on-line payment, but I have a new computer from work, and they won't let me install the ActiveX thing (I'm no techie), so the Citibank page doesn't show up correctly. I tried to make the payment for $3k anyway.

When I went back to take a look at the account (on the day it was due) it didn't look like that payment hit. I assumed it was because of the whole ActiveX thing, so I called customer service in a panic and did a phone order (they waived the $15 fee). However, they told me I could only do a phone order for $1000, because it was the first time I was ever doing it. The rep told me I could pay the remainder of the bill the next day at a branch, and she'd put a note in my file not to charge me a late fee. So the next day I paid the other $2,000.

Well, turns out the original online payment for $3k did hit, then the $1000 phone order hit. The bank denied the $2000 payment because that would have left me overdrawn. So now I have a $1000 credit on my credit card (which will be used up by next month). Even though it will all balance out by next month, I'm short this month by $1000.

What really makes me mad is that my ineptness at handling my finances is so out of character. I'm a professional, well-educated business woman (a finance major, to boot!), I raise two children who seem relatively well-adjusted. How come I can't get my financial act together? It's really frustrating!

I did all of the things on my to-do list except return the books to the library. They were due on Sunday, so I'm going to have a fine when I return them tomorrow. No excuse. Ugh.

I'm getting ready for an incredible weekend. Friday, we have tix to see New Moon, followed by a school fundraiser (both sets of tickets already paid). Saturday, I'm going to see Jimmy Buffett with my sister (always a great time), and Sunday is DD's last soccer game. Then it's down to Dad's, and back home to clean up the house in prep for my brother and his family coming Tuesday. They're staying for a week. Can't wait!

Just updated my sidebar. Psyched that my debt is almost under $215k. And we're now adding $250/month to the Emergency Fund, so that's going in the right direction too. It's all good...

4 Responses to “$1000 error - crazy credit card story”

  1. anonymouse Says:
    1258608139

    You should be really careful accessing your personal information on a work computer. Particularly on a Windows machine. You can never be too trusting in this day and age of identity theft. One of my coworkers had hers stolen and it was later found out to be one of the IT staff.

  2. Kris10leigh Says:
    1258634039

    You're not inept! We all make mistakes like that. I've certainly made a few of them myself. My latest was thinking that when we moved our electric company (which did not change) would still have our automatic payment on file, so I didn't pay last months bill and got hit with a $400 bill in the mail yesterday plus a late fee and a warning about services being shut off. Yep, I'm a professional with a master's degree and I can't pay my electric bill. ;o) We all do it.

  3. firstthingsfirst Says:
    1258643373

    Hey, at least you were calling on the due date to make sure the payment posted! It looks like the customer service rep could have told you while you were on the phone that there was a payment processing, and saved you all the hassle.

    I did the same thing as Kris... when we moved and transferred our insurance back to our home state (same company, same agent as before we moved), I assumed that our automatic payments (from the same bank account) would continue. It was awkward when the agent called to tell me that I could send a check if I needed to, lol. And guess what? I used to work at that office! And I double-majored in Finance... happens to everyone I suppose!

  4. Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
    1258648995

    See if your library allows for online renewals. Here, we can even renew overdue books online. It stops the fines from accumulating.

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