What do you think about this bank?
I spent Qr. 100/- in India on 29th July 2008. I checked the statement in their website in the middle of August and there was no payment due. Now I received their e-statement in which they are asking me to pay more than Qr. 250/- (115 late payment charge and 50 financing charges). What do you think about this?
It is not credit card charges. I was in India during July and I used the card of Mashreq Bank by chance even thoug I had other cards. I came back to Doha on the first week of August and I have heard of this Bank chargig like this. I used to get their e-statment by e-mail but there was nothing in my mail box so I checked in their webiste after logging in with the username and password. Normally they are issuing the statements on 3rd of each month. The trnsaction was showing but there was no date of payment shown in the statement so I thought that they will be asking me to pay it in September. Last week I got their statement by e-mail in which they are asking me to pay the late payment fee of Qr. 115/- and Financing charge of Qr. 50/-additional to the payment due. I talked to the person working in their Credit Card Care Centre and he told me that I must pay that amount. It is really strange that they are charging me 300%.
I presume this was a credit card charge? You said you checked on line and it showed no balance--did you receive a statement? Did it also show no balance due? Certainly you should have received a statement in a timely manner before they hit you with late charges.
The first step (as suggested above) would be to have a conversation with your bank manager, explain the facts, bring the statement supporting your case with you (if you have one). If the facts support your case, the manager should waive the late charge.
As to the transaction fee, you will need to check the banks list of fees. Some banks add fees or a % of the amount charges as a fee for all overseas transactions--this varies greatly bank to bank and you are pretty much stuck with it, but there should be a schedule of fees made available to you.
If the bank is not responsive (and you have evidence to back up your claim) you can contact the Consumer Affairs area at the Qatar Central Bank and they will help you deal with the bank.
You did not mention the name of the bank.
Practically, I suggest you to go and talk with the Manager. if you have a clean history, they may waive late payment.