Consumer complaint received 2016-11-19
Company: DISCOVER BANK
State: GA
Product: Credit card
Issue: Late fee

Complaint:
Discover credit card reported late payments to the credit reporting agencies, adversely affecting my credit. 
In XXXX XXXX, my estranged husband violated a standing court order and closed the Discover card which had his name on it, but it had been agreed it was designated for my exclusive use pending the final divorce decree. I was the primary card holder and had the card since XXXX. I called Discover and wanted to reinstate the card and was told that was not possible. I then offered to pay the balance and was told I must wait until the closing of the billing cycle. Since I did everything online, I was told my online access would stay active until the bill was paid in full. In XXXX, I received an email stating my bill was ready online, but my login did n't work. I was unable to login to pay, so I called Discover to pay my bill. I was told that the balance of {$160.00} had been transferred to the other Discover card which my husband had opened in my name as well as his ( again in violation of the court order ). I was told there was no balance to pay. Another month past and I received an email with a bill now past due and including late charges. I again called Discover to pay my bill but not late fees for which I was not responsible. The representative refused to remove the late charges and inferred I was lying about what I was told previously. I was justifiably indignant considering my 25 year history or always paying on time. After " stewing '' about it a while, I remembered Discover states that calls are recorded. So I again called and I asked the representative to listen to the recording ; I wanted to pay my bill, but not to pay late charges since I had twice tried to pay my balance. The representative returned to the line and she removed the late fees and took my payment information for the original balance of {$160.00}. After sincerely thanking her, I stated I wanted to ensure that my credit score would not be negatively impacted. She said nothing to indicate anything to the contrary. The representative was XXXX XXXX and she provided a reference number of XXXX on XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I believed this issue was resolved. Several week s later, while resolving account changes associated with the divorce, I received information that my credit score had dropped below XXXX from the usual mid to high XXXX. When I checked I saw Discover was reporting XXXX late payments. I again contacted Discover and was told they could only remove it if it was their fault ( which it clearly was ), but they refused to accept the responsibility, and again started inferring I was lying. I asked them to provide me with the recording or any transcripts of my many calls and they would not. They acknowledge I have called many times since my card was cancelled. They never claim that the calls were attempts to avoid paying or questioning charges. They remain adamant that they wo n't remove the late payment reports. At this time in my life, it is important to have this rectified. Because my former husband is a XXXX and stopped paying his bills, I have had to get all new credit cards, and new utilities at my home and my business, so he can not access and cause more harm. The end result of all the new applications and so many utilities checking my credit is my credit is negatively impacted. This ca n't be avoided, but the worst harm is the Discover reports. It is unrealistic to believe that after 25 years of paying in full on time that I would neglect to pay a {$160.00} bill. I would like Discover to remove the late payment reports. I have received a credit card denial and a letter from XXXX stating that due to my credit report, I did not qualify for discounted programming, activation fee and or equipment.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation