Consumer complaint received 2025-08-01 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — Store credit card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Company: Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
In XXXX, I used my XXXX Credit Card ( Comenity Bank ) to finance XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. I was told by the providers office that I had 24 months of no interest, and that any remaining balance after that would simply begin to accrue interest from that point forward. 

Over those XXXX years, I made consistent extra payments often {$150.00} to {$200.00} even though my minimum monthly payment was only around {$70.00}. I was making a real effort to pay the full balance early and avoid interest altogether, or pay very little interest by the end of the promotion. 

While I did incur some late fees along the way, they were only due to me paying a day or XXXX late on occasion usually because I didnt have auto-pay enabled. I never missed a payment entirely. And those late fees actually benefited Comenity, not me they were still collecting extra money, despite my consistent and aggressive repayment strategy. 

By XX/XX/XXXX, I had my balance down to around {$1600.00}, and I was fully prepared to pay that in full in cash if I had just known the promotional plan was ending. Instead, in XX/XX/XXXX, I was blindsided by a {$2900.00} deferred interest charge, which instantly inflated my balance to over {$4700.00}. This was shocking and devastating. 

I was never told that this was a deferred interest plan that would retroactively apply XXXX years of interest on the original loan amount if I failed to pay off every dollar by the promo deadline. I was led to believe interest would begin accruing on the remaining balance going forward, not backwards. 

I contacted Comenity/XXXX  and explained my situation. I told them I have the full remaining balance in hand and ready to pay off immediately I just need that deferred interest removed. But they told me they couldnt help, because the charge was valid. 

This is misleading. Comenity is a finance company that regularly handles billing disputes, reversals, and settlements. This charge was just applied within the last 30 days. The idea that their hands are tied is simply untrue they absolutely could resolve this, theyre just choosing not to, because theyre prioritizing profit over fairness. 

Now, because of this unexpected {$2900.00} charge, Im stuck with a $ XXXX balance and getting hit with {$120.00} per month in new interest and so every month im punished further by not paying off the {$4700.00} left in my account in full by the due date. I just made a {$200.00} payment and its like nothing happened because of the {$120.00} interest pumishment charge, If this isnt resolved, XXXX be trapped in debt for the next five or six years, simply because I misunderstood the terms, despite making a real effort to do the right thing.

This was not neglect. This was not avoidance. This was an honest misunderstanding based on how the plan was presented to me. Im not trying to get out of paying interest just because I dont want to I just want to go back 30 days in time and fix this problem and not be trapped..

I hope the CFPB can help me by having ComenityXXXX to remove the {$2900.00} deferred interest charge so I can immediately pay off the original remaining balance. Thats all Ive ever wanted. 

I have {$2000.00} cash in hand, and I am ready to pay the entire remaining balance in full in one transaction as soon as this unjust charge is removed. Ive included : My communications with Comenity Their response denying help Screenshots of the deferred interest charge My full payment history showing consistent high payments, occasional minor late fees, and overall good faith Thank you for your time and consideration. Im just an honest customer who wants a fair resolution, not years of punishment when i was right at the finish line .. and i heard you guys would take me seriously and actually help. Thank you again.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation