Consumer complaint received 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Fees or interest — Problem with fees
Company: Atlanticus Services Corporation
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint regarding excessive and compounding fees, misleading account information, and improper handling of my credit card account. I have been an XXXX credit card customer since XXXX. During early XXXX, I regularly used the card for normal living expenses such as groceries, gas, and household needs. When I had sufficient income, I made large payments, including multiple payments in the range of {$400.00} {$500.00} ( for example, XXXX XXXX ), and was able to keep my balance under control. Beginning around mid to late XXXX, I experienced a temporary loss and inconsistency of income. I stopped receiving child support in XX/XX/XXXX, which had been my primary steady source of income. In addition, as a student, my financial aid is received in irregular disbursements throughout the year. For example, I may receive funds in XXXX, receive no funds in XXXX, receive only a small amount in XXXX, another disbursement in XXXX, and then no additional funds again until XXXX. This creates predictable gaps in income. Despite these income gaps, I continued making payments on my account, although in smaller amounts. During this time, my account began to accumulate multiple types of fees across billing cycles. For example : * XX/XX/XXXX : over {$100.00} in fees in a single billing cycle * XX/XX/XXXX : approximately {$36.00} in fees, including a late fee and credit protection fee * XX/XX/XXXX : approximately {$31.00} in fees, including a late fee and credit protection fee * Additional recurring monthly charges included credit protection fees ( approximately {$5.00} {$10.00} ) and interest ( approximately {$10.00} {$20.00} per month ) In addition, my account was repeatedly placed over the credit limit. However, the overlimit condition was largely caused by accumulated fees and interest rather than new purchases. My minimum payment also increased significantly over a short period ( for example, from approximately {$50.00} in XX/XX/XXXX to over {$130.00} in XX/XX/XXXX ), making it difficult to remain current even while making payments. In XX/XX/XXXX, I made multiple payments toward my minimum payment and relied on the real-time account balance shown after each payment. At that time, the system indicated I had only a small remaining amount ( approximately {$7.00} ) left to meet my minimum payment. However, I was later charged a late fee and treated as delinquent. Prior to XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted XXXX by phone and was told that only XXXX late fee could be removed from my account. On XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted XXXX again via text message to request additional time to make my payment. I was informed that no grace period or extension was available and that a late fee had already been assessed. I then explained that I could make a substantial payment by XX/XX/XXXX and asked if at least XXXX late fee could be waived. I was instructed to make a payment first and then contact the company afterward to request a one-time courtesy waiver. I have attached documentation of this XX/XX/XXXX text communication. This documentation clearly shows that I was instructed to make a payment and then follow up to request a late fee waiver. I relied on this guidance in good faith and was actively attempting to resolve my account. This indicates that I was given guidance that did not align with the actual status or handling of my account, and I was not given a fair opportunity to resolve the balance as instructed. However, my account was closed on or about XX/XX/XXXX, before I had the opportunity to follow this guidance. I did not receive notification of the closure until approximately XX/XX/XXXX. Between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted XXXX again by phone regarding the account closure. During that time, I was given inconsistent information and was told that there was only XXXX late fee on my account, which does not match my account statements showing multiple fees across billing cycles. This sequence of events was inconsistent and demonstrates that I was not given a fair or reasonable opportunity to resolve my account despite actively attempting to do so. Over time, my balance increased from approximately {$400.00} {$500.00} to nearly {$800.00}. Based on my account history, a significant portion of this increase ( estimated {$300.00} {$400.00} ) appears to be due to accumulated fees and interest rather than new purchases. Late fees on my account also appear to have increased over time ( for example, from approximately {$25.00} to {$41.00} ). I do not recall receiving clear or specific notice explaining these increases, and the amounts appear inconsistent across billing cycles. This contributed to confusion regarding my account charges. Overall, I made repeated efforts to pay and resolve my account, yet the combination of compounding fees, inconsistent information, and actions taken by XXXX prevented me from reasonably bringing the account current. I am requesting : * A full audit and explanation of all fees and charges applied to my account * Removal or reduction of excessive or compounding fees * Review of whether fees improperly contributed to my overlimit status * Adjustment of my balance to reflect actual usage rather than accumulated fees This situation reflects a pattern where fees and penalties caused my balance to grow despite ongoing payments, resulting in financial harm.

Company public response: Company believes it acted appropriately as authorized by contract or law
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief