Has anyone had experience with Fifth Third's hardship program? I went on the permanent hardship program in early January and have been getting the run around ever since. It seems they are continually changing their story on this. I am on it for two account.
One account I was told I would pay $180 plus a monthly $15.75 processing fee and the other account I would pay $160 plus a monthly $15.75 processing fee, with 0% interest/finance charge, and no other charges would be incurred i.E. Late fees, overlimit fees, etc. Until the accounts were paid in full. Since then I have been charged monthly on each account 24.99% interest/finance charges, $39 late fees, and $39 overlimit fees. Additionally I keep getting nasty messages on my statement that I need to bring the accounts current.
I called them because I noticed they did not take out a recent month's payment out of my checking account has they had every month since January. I was told I was not on the hardship program and I also needed to pay more money for both accounts because it is not enough to bring the account current. The next time I spoke to someone they told me I was on the hardship program but I need to pay more money because I am not paying enough. Additionally this person told me they only way the late fees and overlimit fees, not the interest/finance charges, which are 24.99%.
After going back and doing research on all of my accounts since August I called back again and requested copies of all my conversations with them since mid- December. The first person told me that they don't take notes of conversations. When I asked why I hear them typing when we are talking I was placed on hold. They next person I got told me they told me that they could not provide me with information because it is confidential.
The next day I received a call from someone and we had a really good conversation. I thought I was being told things honestly. He told me yes he sees that I was placed in the hardship program in January. After explaining how I was told it would occur he agreed and said he would talk to his supervisor and have all of the charges and interest reversed. I provided him with my figures and he agreed with each one. He informed me I need to pay exact money for three months in a row on each account to bring the accounts out of collection and then the amounts would go back to how it was set up in January. I was told I needed the exact amounts because this was a new program and the person that handled my accounts in January did not do it correctly. I explained I did not think I would afford the increased amounts even for three months and I would have to check my finances to see if I could do it. We agreed to speak again in two days at a specific time, with him calling me. That call never occurred, nor did I hear from them/him in one entire week.
I called back again and was told he was took off work and completely forgot to call me. Now I am told that the supervisor put in a request to reverse the fees and the difference between 24.99% and 8% but he had not heard back on it so he just put in a second request. I questioned the 8% versus the 0% I was told in January. I was told it was always 8%, which is not what he told me the week earlier. Now he also says I don't need to pay extra for three months on each account, I would have to pay a smaller amount on each account when I pay my next payment and that will bring the accounts current. Additionally I was told it typically takes two to three weeks before I will see the reversal of the fees and I should call back later this month to make sure it happened.
Every time I talk to someone it is a different story. Oh, by the way, supposedly all of these individuals claimed they were "supervisors" because when I called I immediately asked to speak to one. After much run around I would finally get someone claiming to be a supervisor.
Has any one had any similar issues?
Mckey
Cape Coral, Florida
U.S.A.
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