Household Bank *RIPOFF*! Charging "over the limit fees" when account being over limit is as a result of finance charges. Baltimore Maryland

Household credit cards is for people who have had issues with credit in the past. They basically a predatory lending credit card. Cut the darn thing up and then get off the credit card cycle of living. There isn't a thing a person needs on a credit card. Save up money for emergencies and pay for purchases with cash. All credit cards are hiking rates now anyway because they can! It is called "universal default" and it is in the 'terms and conditions' you agreed to when you opened the account.

I used to have this one years and years ago til i realized I did not need credit cards in my life. I added up one weekend what my min payments a month was on my cards, my debt and realized I had to cut them up and get on a budget. I did and I have paid off all my debt but my house and medical bills.( I have had 45 surgeries). Life is too short to be worrying about finance charges, credit card bills and it is amazing how much money I now have to do things in life. I now have a savings. I have a nice suv that is paid off, so it is possible to get off the credit card merry go round. There is nothing fun about this ride.

Household will hike rates and it is perfectly legal. If you are late they will hound you to no end. I was never late , but they will raise you rates if you breathe the wrong way! You will see alot more of this now with the financial mess right now, so pay it below their limit and get it out of your life. You play with snakes you will get bitten. Use a debit card, financially a much wiser decision.

Not in this day and age. People are losing their jobs and their homes and yet Household still hikes it's customer's interest rates to 30% and tacks on one fee after another--so that their minimum payment doesn't even cover all the fees and making it virtually impossible to pay off the balance. You'd be better off with a loan shark!

Household Bank likes to say they give second chances to people with bruised credit but what they actually do is set you up to fail... again.

All banks aren't that way. In fact, my credit union offers a low interest Visa card AND the rate for cash advances is the same for credit purchases.

If you have a Household Bank card, I suggest you close the account and pay it off asap.

Not in this day and age. People are losing their jobs and their homes and yet Household still hikes it's customer's interest rates to 30% and tacks on one fee after another--so that their minimum payment doesn't even cover all the fees and making it virtually impossible to pay off the balance. You'd be better off with a loan shark!

Household Bank likes to say they give second chances to people with bruised credit but what they actually do is set you up to fail... again.

All banks aren't that way. In fact, my credit union offers a low interest Visa card AND the rate for cash advances is the same for credit purchases.

If you have a Household Bank card, I suggest you close the account and pay it off asap.

Not in this day and age. People are losing their jobs and their homes and yet Household still hikes it's customer's interest rates to 30% and tacks on one fee after another--so that their minimum payment doesn't even cover all the fees and making it virtually impossible to pay off the balance. You'd be better off with a loan shark!

Household Bank likes to say they give second chances to people with bruised credit but what they actually do is set you up to fail... again.

All banks aren't that way. In fact, my credit union offers a low interest Visa card AND the rate for cash advances is the same for credit purchases.

If you have a Household Bank card, I suggest you close the account and pay it off asap.

Not in this day and age. People are losing their jobs and their homes and yet Household still hikes it's customer's interest rates to 30% and tacks on one fee after another--so that their minimum payment doesn't even cover all the fees and making it virtually impossible to pay off the balance. You'd be better off with a loan shark!

Household Bank likes to say they give second chances to people with bruised credit but what they actually do is set you up to fail... again.

All banks aren't that way. In fact, my credit union offers a low interest Visa card AND the rate for cash advances is the same for credit purchases.

If you have a Household Bank card, I suggest you close the account and pay it off asap.

Not in this day and age. People are losing their jobs and their homes and yet Household still hikes it's customer's interest rates to 30% and tacks on one fee after another--so that their minimum payment doesn't even cover all the fees and making it virtually impossible to pay off the balance. You'd be better off with a loan shark!

Household Bank likes to say they give second chances to people with bruised credit but what they actually do is set you up to fail... again.

All banks aren't that way. In fact, my credit union offers a low interest Visa card AND the rate for cash advances is the same for credit purchases.

If you have a Household Bank card, I suggest you close the account and pay it off asap.

Not in this day and age. People are losing their jobs and their homes and yet Household still hikes it's customer's interest rates to 30% and tacks on one fee after another--so that their minimum payment doesn't even cover all the fees and making it virtually impossible to pay off the balance. You'd be better off with a loan shark!

Household Bank likes to say they give second chances to people with bruised credit but what they actually do is set you up to fail... again.

All banks aren't that way. In fact, my credit union offers a low interest Visa card AND the rate for cash advances is the same for credit purchases.

If you have a Household Bank card, I suggest you close the account and pay it off asap.

Not in this day and age. People are losing their jobs and their homes and yet Household still hikes it's customer's interest rates to 30% and tacks on one fee after another--so that their minimum payment doesn't even cover all the fees and making it virtually impossible to pay off the balance. You'd be better off with a loan shark!

Household Bank likes to say they give second chances to people with bruised credit but what they actually do is set you up to fail... again.

All banks aren't that way. In fact, my credit union offers a low interest Visa card AND the rate for cash advances is the same for credit purchases.

If you have a Household Bank card, I suggest you close the account and pay it off asap.

In the future, make sure you simply read the terms of your credit card, as I'm sure that such terms are specifically stated within your terms-and-conditions agreement. They are not "out to get you" as much as you'd think.

The terms for my Citibank credit card specifically state the following under the "Overlimit Fee" section of the terms: "Your are responsible for keeping track of your Account balance, including finance charges and fees...We may charge an Overlimit Fee even if your balance exceeds your Credit Line because of fees or finance charges we impose or because of transactions we authorize."

In my opinion, that may be "fine print," but it's definitely not lawyer jargon; anyone can understand that language. If you failed to read your terms, I'm not sure how you can blame anybody but yourself.

In addition, why would you push your balance so near your credit limit, anyway? That's irresponsible in itself. If your balance is so near your credit limit that you need to be worrying whether finance charges might push it past your limit, then you should really address your credit-card habits because that is the root of the problem. I try not to use more than 75% of my credit card's credit line at any given time -- because of the exact reasons you are stating.

I am not trying to put you down, but I'm just giving you a reality check. You may not like the terms, and you may feel that they are "unfair," "unjustified," or just plain "stupid," but the bottomline is that you agreed to them nonetheless. If you indeed didn't like the terms, then you shouldn't have agreed to them and should cancel your current account as soon as possible. There may be cards out there that carry agreements more in-line with what you expect from a credit card. If not, then you'll realize that your current card isn't so bad, after all.

I too suffered from unexpected finance charges. I still was below my limit, and then when I went to make my payment, I saw a large finace charge and then an over limit fee as well. I was shocked at how sneaky this seemed. I figured there was nothing I could do about it, but I went ahead and emailed Household Bank.

I explained that I could understand paying the finance charge, but the overlimit fee seemed underhanded. I didn't expect a reply, but I did recieve one. They agreed to remove the over limit fee, but reprimanded me like a child for not being aware that that particular month there would be a special extra fee. Perhaps it was ignorant of me. I do all my banking online, and he explained that the fee was explained in the bill that was mailed, not online. I felt the whole thing was very condescending.

I've had other credit cards and they have always been very straight forward without any complications. Needless to say, even though they removed the late fee, I have cut up this credit card. If they make there money off of manipulating fees, I would prefer they didn't make their money off of me.

Op, if you had a handle on your finances, you wouldn't be in this situation.

When I was starting out with credit many, many years ago, I thought like you. I only paid minimum payments and found out quickly that if you can't afford to use the card, cancel it and pay it off.

I have an acct. with Household Bank and have for many years (and several others) AFTER filing bankruptcy due to way too many medical bills. They have have been superb to deal with. Granted, there were a lot of c.c. companies I owed because the cards came so easy and without solicitation on my part.

Like anything else, know what you're into before accusing the other guy.
I signed the agreement just like you and everyone else. If you can't take time to read before signing, or don't understand it......ask first.

If you have credit, use it wisely or it will really hurt you in the end. Like another poster said use your cards for an emergency only, pay off your highest interest cards first. When you get a point where you can manage, find a low interest card and consolidate (you can usually get find someone offering free interest for 6 mos. to year on transfers) and pay it off! You'll be surprisesd how quick your credit rating will come up.

You're only hurting yourself by trying to get out of this situation. Take care of it and fix the problem and move on.

I agree that this these types of rip-offs should be legislated away. Look, these banks and credit card companies can spew the "it's your fault/take responsibility" company line and those above who are so quick to defend the CC companies can jaw their arrogant "holier than thou" rebuttals to these claims all day long. Facts are facts. The irresponsibility of the consumer is a separate issue from what we are talking about here. Surely any consumer would EXPECT to pay a penalty for going over their credit limit or being late on a payment. We don't expect a free ride for crying out loud! We just don't want to get ripped off! The issue here is this: Sure there are irresponsibile consumers who get themselves in tight spots, but the way banks and CC companies coldheartedly TAKE ADVANTAGE of the irresponsibility is what is at issue here.

Banks will always make money. Don't let anyone tell you different, but at what cost? Question: is it in the BANK'S best interest for their customers to founder? There is much more that these people can do for consumers, they just have decided they won't. After all, what other choice to we have but to deal with them? I'll end with a quote from Dave Ramsey- "Credit card companies are scum and they are totally out of controll. Do not do business with them."

Whoever is defending HHB for charging over limit fees when the account is overlimit as a result of their finance charges must not have done business with a reputable company. I have two other cards besides household and have on one occassion been over the limit because of finance charges. It was explained to me that as long as the account was not over the limit AT THE TIME OF BILLING no over limit fee would be charged. In other words, as long as the account was brought under limit by the next billing cycle, I would not be charged. Household bank's interest rate has risen a full 5% in less than a year. Even if this member made sure that his balance could take the interest rate at the previous month's level it was possible for HHB to put him over the limit with these fees since they give no notification when the rates will go up. Unless you work with household you do not know how much interest rates will vary month to month as their increases have not mirrored the Fed's. They accomplish this by not only changing the variable rate but the base rate. I'm not Alan Greenspan and no bank should expect their customers to be either.

WOW, I have had household for many years. My ex-Hubby is an over the road trucker being the idot I was back then everything went into my name....BBBBiiiggggg mistake.

Anyway after the divorce because I was tired of not being able to feed the kids and decided if I going to work and take care of everything myself I didnt need to suport his butt while he spent all the money on the road.

My credit was Screwed. I got the household card and have been able to rebuild my credit. Yea I had to read the fine print and be carful but being I just wanted to rebuild credit and I dont believe on living on plastic and paying and wasting money on interest and fees I only bought a tank of gas or 40 bucks at the food store. The answer to life is not charge it.

I was raised you dont have the money for it you don't need it. There is only 3 things you payment arangements for that is a must in life. Medical bills, home and transpertaion. and even then there is always a bus or a bike.

Pete you are a complete idiot.dont respond to my comment by making fruitless accusations you know nothing about! They are a complete scam credit card company with a long record of cheating consumers.

You are clueless and of no help at all to anyone
reading this posting.Unless of course you it helps us to know what an 888hole you are.
Sooooooooo get a life doing something worth while and dont waste my time reading your ignorant comments.

Gayle, Maybe you have been inside those casino's too long, but every credit card company out there will allow you to go over the limit at one time or another. The only catch is that you have to pay for the amount you are over plus your minimum payment.

You people need to look in the mirror because Household is not to blame here, you are. You can go to any local college and take a class on managing your finances..... I suggest you do it.

'i live a busy life i dont have time to deal with reading through credit card statements everymonth looking for nickles and dimes.'

That's quite a cavalier attitude, Stephanie. Had you taken the time to look for those nickles and dimes, you wouldn't have brought on your problems.

Don't blame anyone else for your irresponsibility.

Household bank is a big scam.Back in 2004 they sent me a little 300.00 card so i accepted it to help my credit score over time.I set it up to auto pay out of my checking account a 15.00 per month. They invitted me to try some free insurance plan for free for 60 days,i agreed and then cancelled it after being charged 15.00 since I didnt need it.

I was told i had to call the insurance company to do this direct and so i did.since then they continue to charge me 15.00 per month for the insurance still even though they acknowledge i cancelled it numerous times.now my credit limit should be almost 0 but instead i just found out it's 350.00,ya 50.00 over the limit.Apparently every month it appears like im not paying anything because of the insurance they keep charging,they have been also adding on over the limit fees i was unaware of. i have called more then 20 times over the past year to no avil and they are ruining my credit. i live a busy life i dont have time to deal with reading through credit card statements everymonth looking for nickles and dimes.im sure they thrive on people like me thats how they get away with this crap.

I had a card thru Household Bank a couple years ago. I had gotten the card because at the time, they were giving cards to people with little credit or not so good credit. I believe they prey on people who are trying to establish credit.

I went thru some hard times ( I was a full time college student, as well as a single working mom ) and maxed my card. I was careful not to go over the limit. Well, when the bill came, it was for my minimum payment + finance charge which put me over my limit + my over limit fee. Well I was as I said going thru hard times, so I paid the minimum to bring my account down below the limit. BUT my payment was late...so there went the late payment charge - which low and behold put me over my limit - which added an over limit charge AGAIN. Now my minimum payment was higher for the next month, and so the cycle continued. I ended up owing the cc co. over $200 beyond my credit limit due to these fees being charged every month. When I couldn't keep up with the payments, they continued to tack on charges for over limit fees and late payment fees.

I finally dug myself out of this hole. I know it was my own irresponsibility that put me into the position in the first place, but consider this - I was a 20 year old single mother and student, had little life experience and did not know a single thing about credit cards. I was naive, and Household Bank took advantage of it. They claim to HELP you get credit established - by this claim alone, they are marketing directly to people who dont know much about how credit cards work. Then they turn around and use sneaky tactics to screw you.

I think it is a shame that they claim to help people establish credit without educating people as to what the "fine print" is all about. If you are going to market a card to young people you should respect the fact that they don't necessarily know all the details of how credit works.

When a company gives you a credit limit of say $1,000, your credit limit is, or at least should be, $1,000. I don't believe there is anything in their agreements that says your limit will be $1,000 less interest and fees. Charging fees on top of fees/interest is nothing more than a royal scam and should be legislated against. A legitimate credit card company would never allow you to go over your limit. Only a company out to scam its customers would intentionally do this - and it is intentional. Household did this to me once. They won't get another chance. I got out the scissors immediately. Why would I or anyone want to do business with a company this dishonest?

I am not defending Household Bank at all. I was simply stating that it seems the fault lies with the original poster, not the bank. I am sure you will agree with me that there are plenty of folks on this website who blame everyone else but themselves for their financial situations. It gets a little old reading the same story. Sounds to me with the loan you had with them they were charging daily interest at a rather high amount. They HAVE to give you a breakdown of what that difference in balance is from if you request it. Have you called them to request something like that? They are required to send you a statement which should explain everything.

While the original poster has a credit card problem that may well be under her control, there is truth that Household Bank is a liar and they tack on extra fees for balances that never vanish. In the spirit of "Lets Defend Household Bank" day, I have a question, this very same company overcharges and tacks on fees to their car loans excessively and thats no exaggeration. Think I'm kidding...how does this sound to you? September 1, 2005 payfoff amount for car 6000.83 cents. September 11 2005 payoff amount for car 6444.57 cents. Do you see a problem with these numbers? I do, my note had been paid and I paid over the amount my car note ran 289.00 I was paying them 400.00 a month. With no late payments, can one of you please tell me where in the hell they got the extra 444.00 from? I am dying to know. This bank stays in the courtroom due to excess and hidden fees and from the looks of it thats not going to change. They handle their home loans the same way. Across the board this bank is bad to do business with period.

How is it their fault you got overlimit fees? If you had read your cardmember agreement, you would know that finance charges assess when your account 'closes', or ends its billing cycle. If you have a credit limit of $1000 and a balance of $995, of course your finance charges will be more thatn $5.00 if you are not paying it off. Of course that will put you over your limit, which will generate a fee. It is not their responsibility to 'not let you' go over your credit line. It is your responsibility alone to know your limit and what your balance is and not to go over it. Simple as that.

This is a result of poor financial management. And yes, it is a vicious cycle, but it is not in the least illegal. Read your terms and conditions. You said "their finance charges caused me to go over my limit". Um, you agreed to that interest rate when you applied/activated that card.

Therefore, when you USE the card (which you admit) and they charge you finance charges (because you obviously keep a high balance), then those are YOUR finance charges. And if YOUR charges, which resulted in YOUR finance charges caused you to go over limit, then shame on you. Quit using the card.

You have a problem with self control and are blaming the credit card company for your habits. Change your habits, because as they have already said, they aren't giving you a refund.

I went through a similar thing with another credit card company, Cross Country Bank. These companies will not only play tricks with finance charges and therfore add an overlimit fee, they will willingly allow you to go over your credit limit, hold back payments until you are late, and all sorts of other dirty tricks.

They gave us the biggest runaround until we called the proper authorities. Here is the info:

Report the company to banking regulators. Their phone number is (877) FTC-HELP or(877) 382-4357. Their mailing address is Division of Credit Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580 or file a complaint online at www.ftc.gov.

Hope it helps. It did with us. The company refunded our fees and to date still treat us like we were "VERY SPECIAL." Must be a note on our account.

Dear *****,

We understand your concern regarding the overlimit fee on your account.

Please be advised that we are unable to comply with your request to remove the overlimit fee from your account. According to your Cardmember Agreement and Disclosure Statement, you agree to pay an overlimit fee whenever your account balance exceeds the total credit limit at any time within the billing
cycle.
If your balance remains over the limit, your account will be subject to an additional overlimit fee as early as the first day of the next billing cycle.

Kindly understand, as with your checking account, we ask that you monitor the expenditures on your credit card account. Be sure to leave sufficient available credit to cover administrative charges each month. These charges
are applied on the last day of your billing cycle, giving you the maximum opportunity to make a payment, if needed.

Please remember that you do have access to your account balance and credit limit over the phone and online, 24 hours a day, for your convenience.

Thank you for using our online services.


Sincerely,

Natasha
Household Bank Customer Care

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