AT&T Universal Card ripoff, absurd billing practices, finance charges Jacksonville Florida

In April 2002 I signed up for an AT&T Universal Card "Special Offer" of APR of 0% until April 2003, on balance tansfers and then the rate will be at 9.74%.

Without warning and exactly 3 months later my 9.74% went to 11.99%. This is a rate I would NEVER sign up for on any credit card!

Never saw it coming...I always paid on time, and over paid the minium due.

Unfortunately I didn't catch this RIP-OFF increase until March 2004. At this time (billing) I paid what I thought (and every other consumer thinks)was the "New Balance Due" amount "In Full." It reached their business on the Due Date so it was not late.

On the next month I receive a bill from AT&T for a finance charge. I had to send two letters, and today I talked with a customer rep who says AT&T finance charges are a month behind and I should have called to find out the final payment.

Does anyone else find this absurd! What does New Balance mean? Maybe it should say New(Maybe)Balance Due. I have had credit cards for over thirty years and have never had to call for my balance, nor have I been charged a finance charge AFTER I paid the balance in full.

I've read all my AT&T disclosures and can't find anything that says I should call for a payoff balance or that their finance charges are a month behind.

PLEASE-someone help us STOP AT&T from ripping-off the consumer!

IF you have the Universal Card..cancel it, show AT&T we will not be financially raped anymore.

Cathy
Oak Lawn, Illinois
U.S.A.