I recently purchased a car and it was financed with Fifth Third Bank. 1st payment was June 18. I received by payment book on June 26 and promptly made my payment. Coupon book indicates July 18 as the "on time" payment, with "late" payment on or after yJul 28.
Since July 27, I have had calls to my house from an Ohio number, which does not connect when I answer the phone. Friday the 27th was a 9:00 am call, with another later in the day. On Saturday the 28th, the phone call was at 8:00, with another call later in the day. On Sunday, when the phone rang at 9:30 in the morning, I decided to call back finding out it was Fifth Third Bank calling about my payment. The rep on the phone was beligerent stating the payment date is the 18th and they have every right to call when its not paid by that date, he nastily asked me to give him a reason why I didn't pay it on the 18th, I didn't have an answer, but did ask him if they were calling about the payment why were they hanging up, he proceeded to hang up on me.
I called back and talked to a supervisor, who stated the same thing, payment is due on the 18th and they can call anytime they choose. I asked him why aren't I assessed a late fee on the 18th, he stated they give a courtesy "mailing time" to receive the payment. But my phone calls started prior to this "mailing time". Mortgage payments, credit card bills, etc. All have grace periods, I have never ever received calls looking for the payment within that time, nevermind that, calling on the weekends and at early hours, and then not even stating who they are or what they want.
As consumers we are supposed to be protected by harrassing phone calls from frothy lenders. Do I have any rights? Or am I under there absurd practices just for financing a car?
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