Consumer complaint received 2016-03-01
Company: FIFTH THIRD FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: IN
Product: Credit card
Issue: Cash advance fee

Complaint:
At the XXXX age of XXXX I opened a student account at Fifth Third Bank, to help start my credit. I banked with 5th3rd for many years, but I recently moved with my husband d/t his job. I did n't realize that my overdraft protection was tied to my MasterCard, so every time my acct was overdrawn it would charge me a cash advance. I also did n't realize that my Credit monitoring bill provided by 5th3rd was still charging to my account, each time overdrafting a Cash advance from my MasterCard. I have no issue with the fact I owe the money, I have issue with how my payments are applied. Here is where my misunderstanding stems, I recently got a new card that was marked as a " Professional Card '', when I questioned 5th3rd regarding this new card, they stated I had always had a professional Card. A professional card is, as explained to me, a " Business Card '', it allows those with a small business to have a card, to be used for the business ; it can also be used for personal purchases. As it is a business card, my payments are applied in a very specific manner, over which I have no control. I have tried multiple times to explain that I did not request a " business card '', why would I, I was just a XXXX XXXX year old in her first year at college, I just opened a student account, how does that translate to a " business card ''. Anyhow, I am pregnant, and I need to understand my finances better, and get my XXXX debt paid off etc. Currently my husband is located in XXXX working for XXXX for two years, then we return to the USA, unfortunately I have not been able to work in XXXX, so we are living on one income. We have steadily been paying the card down, and I made a lump payment when my husband got his bonus, this is a big deal for us, as we are paying with XXXX money so we lose a significant amount when it is transferred d/t exchange rates, the payment was for {$2700.00}. I wanted to specify how the payment was allocated to ensure the Current Cash was completely paid off, as when I reviewed my bill I saw that the " Current Cash '' just keeps going up each month. When I make a payment it only applies only to Purchase Charges, nothing is applied to Current Cash, so that balance is goes up unimpeded, as I pay down the Purchase charges, I no longer use the card for any reason. Current Cash is now several hundred dollars, as they keep applying finance charges, but never apply any of my payment to Current Cash. If I could pay off the Current Cash I could then really make some head way on my account. So I made a large payment {$2700.00}, I called and requested that the Current Cash be paid off entirely so I could stop getting the finance charge, as I am unable to pay directly for Current Cash only, per the bank I have a Professional Card ( Business ), which allows them to apply payment however they chose, and they chose to apply to the higher balance, again never putting any money towards Current Cash. I feel so defeated, I am trying to do the right thing, pay off my debt, but am slowly going in debt more, because they never apply any of the payment to Current Cash. I just want to be able to pay off this account, hard when I am 9 month pregnant and no job, and living on only XXXX income, but I have every intention of doing so. I just feel I am being taken advantage of with the way they processing my payment, not to mention why would 5th3rd give an XXXX year old a " business '' MasterCard. I know why, to charge me more. I feel this is dishonest. If I make a large payment, above minimal, I should be able to specify how it is allocated, especially since 5th3rd applies not one cent towards Current Cash, and while it may not be illegal, it 's not right, and definitely taking advantage of a XXXX teenager, who did n't know any better. I think this is a dishonest practice, and I wanted to notify those who may be able to do something.

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief