Fighting a Credit Card Rate Increase打一场信用卡利率上升

Fighting an Increasing Rate战斗速度
by Scott Bilker由斯科特bilker

Scott Bilker is the author of the best-selling book "Credit Card and Debt Management."斯科特bilker是作者的畅销书"信用卡和债务管理" He is also the Editor and publisher of the FREE DebtSmart® E-mail Newsletter ( http://www.debtsmart.com ).他还编辑和出版自由debtsmart®电子邮件通讯(http://www.debtsmart.com). Sign up today!今天报名!

Scott,史葛
I had a card that had a fixed rate of 5% on my balance.我有卡已固定在我的余额5%. I closed the account years ago when I started taking control of my debt.我封闭帐户年前当我开始控制了我的债务. Since this was the lowest rate of the cards I had I was only paying the minimum and concentrating instead on paying off other high interest credit.由于这是死亡率最低的卡我和我只是付最低偿还而专注于其他高利息贷款. I received a notice with one of my invoices that they would be increasing the rate to 20% and that I basically didn't have a choice in the matter (fine print).我同我的一位接到通知,他们将会越来越发票率20%,我基本上没有选择的(字体). I transfered the balance over to other cards that would have a lower APR than the 20% they would be imposing however this severely limited my available credit for emergency purposes.我转交给其他卡余额将有比4月下降20%,他们将被处以不过这严重限制我国现有信用作紧急用途.

Just wanted to know if it is legal for them to increase the rate on a closed account and if there was any other option for me to consider.如果只是想知道他们是合法率提高到一个封闭的、没有任何其他选择,如果我考虑. Obviously this would be information for any future similar situations.显然这将是日后类似情况的信息. Thanks!感谢!
--Mike--迈克

Answer答案
Mike,米克

Do you have the original paperwork that gave you the fixed rate of 5%?你有你的原始文件,给予定率5%? I truly hope so because it's that documentation that could ultimately help you keep that rate.我真希望如此,因为它的文件,可以帮助你保持到最终速度. The only problem is that you did transfer the balance but you did so because you thought they wouldn't keep the rate at what they promised.唯一的问题是,你把你的平衡,但你这样做是因为他们以为不会答应他们的速度不断.

I see this happen frequently that's why I ALWAYS keep copies of the letter, terms, conditions, etc. in my files for just such a situation.我常常见到这种事情,所以我始终保持一份信件,职权、条件、等我刚刚这种情况档案. I even photocopy applications!我什影印申请书!

If this happened to me, and I found evidence that they couldn't raise the rate, then I might even contact a lawyer and see what could be done.如果这事对我来说,我找到证据,他们不能提高利率然后我和律师联络,甚至可以做看看. I would also contact the Federal Trade Commission and other consumer groups to see if they could help me make the bank honor their agreement.我也致电联邦贸易委员会及其他消费者团体,看看能帮助我,使银行信守协议.

For the future...get everything in writing and keep it in a file!答:今后凡是得随时以书面文件!

Good luck and please let me know what happens.请让我知道,好运什么事.

Scott斯科特

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