CitiCard Mastercard (Citibank) Raised my interest rate to 29% after one payment missed in error!! The Lakes Nevada

I have had a CitiCard Mastercard since 2006 without any problems, until now. I left the country in March to teach English in Ecuador, and switched my account from sending monthly payments by check to auto-pay through my savings account. I was not planning to use the card, just paying the minimum balance while I was gone. When I returned this month and looked closely at my balance, I realized that I was paying a HUGE amount of interest, and hardly any on the $2000 balance. When I called to ask about the change, I was told that I had missed the February payment, so my interest rate increased to 29%! When I explained that I had changed to auto-pay before leaving the country, the operator tried to go back and change things, but told me that the system wouldn't let her and that I would be charged the 29% for at least 12 months worth of on-time payments. I am very frustrated, as I now have no money, no job, no car, etc etc, and was trying in good faith to keep the minimum payments going. I guess they will just have to eat it!! (But, so will I, with a reduced credit rating!).

Laura
Gresham, Oregon
U.S.A.