Consumer complaint received 2025-01-12 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — Store credit card
Issue: Fees or interest — Problem with fees
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: SC

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX, I was notified by mail about a late fee charged in the amount of {$26.00} for a XXXX XXXX store card offer by Synchrony Bank. This charge amount was vivid in my memory, because I had just paid a late fee charge of {$26.00} on XX/XX/XXXX. The statement did NOT express any charge amount spent at XXXX XXXX, as I have only spent {$77.00} on the entire statement history of having this card. It was completely paid out and the balance on the card was {$0.00}. When contacting Synchrony Bank about the charge, I was told that the late fee had occurred because I failed to pay the minimum interest charge in the amount of {$2.00} and the paper statement fee in the amount of {$1.00}. Essentially, I was being charged a late fee on the total of {$3.00}. No where in the XXXX XXXX Credit Card account agreement does it state that consumers would be charge {$1.00} paper statement fee nor does it express that any amount over {$2.00} would result in a late fee. Only stating We charge a minimum of {$2.00} of interest in any billing cycle in which you owe interest. This charge is added proportionately to each balance type. I have no issues with paying a {$2.00} per month, without having an existing balance. 
I was NEVER notified : 1 ) Of a bill in the total amount of {$3.00} via mail nor email. 
2 ) Of a balance ever reflecting the total of {$3.00}, before a late fee was applied. 
3 ) Of an interest payment of {$2.00} that was due via mail nor email. 
I was ONLY notified of a balance and late fee via mail, AFTER Synchrony Bank applied a late fee. 
I was unable to change the paper statement into electronic statement solely to save {$1.00}. I was told via their representative that even if I wanted an electronic statement, that I would be charged for a paper statement. In addition, I was told that Synchrony Bank could attach a late to any charge more than {$2.00}. 
Synchrony Bank is creating a bill of more than {$2.00} on {$0.00} balances to charge consumers for late fees. Without first notifying consumers of interest and paper statement fees due before applying late fees. 
Seemingly there isnt a reason to notify consumers via statement, because the balance on their account is reflecting {$0.00}. They are requiring consumers to pay a late fee on {$0.00} balances. 
The Synchrony Bank representative immediately wiped and refunded the charge for the late fee and two charges of paper statement fees, once being called out on their hidden practices through CFPB. However, they did not refund me for the prior {$26.00} that I paid for the same predatory practice. 
Here are the US Codes broken by Synchrony Bank : 15 US Code 1637 ( b ) ( 1 ) - The outstanding balance in the account at the beginning of the statement period 15 US Code 1637 ( b ) ( 4 ) - The amount of any finance charge added to the account during the period, itemized to show the amounts, if any, due to the application of percentage rates and the amount, if any, imposed as a minimum or fixed charge.

15 US Code 1637 ( b ) ( 9 ) - The date by which or the period ( if any ) within which, payment must be made to avoid additional finance charges, except that the creditor may, at his election and without disclosure, impose no such additional finance charge if payment is received after such date or the termination of such period.

15 US Code 1637 ( b ) ( 12 ) ( A ) - Late payment deadline required to be disclosed.

15 US Code 1637 ( c ) ( 1 ) ( A ) ( ii ) ( i ) -Any annual fee, other periodic fee, or membership fee imposed for the issuance or availability of a credit card, including any account maintenance fee or other charge imposed based on activity or inactivity for the account during the billing cycle.

15 US Code 1637 ( c ) ( 1 ) ( B ) ( ii ) Any fee imposed for a late payment 15 US Code 1637 ( c ) ( 4 ) ( A ) ( i ) -Any annual fee, other periodic fee, or membership fee imposed for the issuance or availability of the charge card, including any account maintenance fee or other charge imposed based on activity or inactivity for the account during the billing cycle.

15 US Code 1637 ( c ) ( 4 ) ( B ) ( ii ) - Any fee imposed for a late payment.

15 US Code 1637 ( j ) ( 1 ) - Prohibition on double-cycle billing and penalties for on-time payments.

15 US Code 1692 ( e ) - A debt collector may not use any false, deceptive, or misleading representation or means in connection with the collection of any debt. 
XX/XX/XXXX, CFPB ban credit card late fees from {$32.00} to {$8.00}. Not only was I wrongfully charged with late fees on two separate occasions, but I was also wrongfully charged anything over the amount of {$8.00}. 
As of XX/XX/XXXX, Synchrony Bank conveniently decided to change their paper statement policy to allow consumers to enroll in paperless statements and avoid the {$1.00} fee. However, this was not task of theirs until my correspondence with their representative. 
Although, Synchrony Bank has erased one charge of {$26.00} ; they still have not return my previous wrongfully charged payment in the same amount of {$26.00}.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief