BANK OF AMERICA CREDIT CARDS sent no information on the convenience checks they sent which I used and now they are charging me 21% finance charges. RIPOFF Norfolk Virginia

Get those so called "convenience checks" all the time, attached to my statement. The credit card companies handle them like cash advances. 21.9% to 24.9% interest plus fees, no "grace" period, etc. They're a hugh ripoff. The smart thing to do is shred 'em.

If you want to make sure this doesn't happen again, contact credit card customer service and request that they stop sending you checks. Keep in mind, this will also stop those promotional 0% for 6 month checks you've recieved in the past, but at least it will stop the convenience checks as well.

I have a Bank of America credit card, and I can tell you that every convenience check I've ever recieved says "Convenience Check" dead in the center of the top part of the check. They may not send a letter with a convenience check, but it is covered in your terms and conditions.

You were notified in your terms that any checks on the account are considered as a cash advance subject to a 3% fee $10.00 minimum, no maximum and that interest would be generated at a minimum rate of 21.99%. The only exception is if we specifically send a letter with the check saying the rate is a promotional rate of x% and carry no fee. Hence, you assumed the checks were at 0%. We all know what assuming does! So why are you complaining when the bank only did what it told you it would do if you wrote one of those checks? Terms and disclosures are sent out at least once per year and are always avalible to you at no cost upon request.