Can a Credit card charge you fincanc charges after you have brought you accout to zero balance?

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Uncle Tim	Depending upon the agreement that you accepted when you got the card maybe so, yes.

Going crazy in WI	Depends on if the balance was still in the "grace" period or not... if it was past the grace period they can charge interest until the balance is brought to zero.

Nintendo	I seriously wouldn't you can get charged big fees and very high interest increaces

gumpy15	That doesn't make since. Those jerks!

tanmei	be sure to read the fine details of your credit card agreement. the finance charges are generally calculated by the AVERAGE daily balance during the grace period, not the ending balance. the key is to pay off the entire balance BEFORE the grace period for purchases ends (generally between 20 - 30 days, average 25). for example, say you carried a balance of $500 all month, then paid it down to $1 on the last day of the 25 day grace period. because you didn't pay it off to $0, the finance charge would be based on the average daily balance, which would be $500. to prevent any finance charges, i typically make 2 to 3 small payments throughout the month to each CC that i use. they can't stick you with charges for new purchases that are still in their grace period. good luck!

Shikibeeks	Not usually. I would call them and ask them about it.

BobbyD	Many cards have an annual fee just for the privilege of having the card.

pirategurl	Credit card companies can do anything they want. D a m n Nazis!!

Lori J	I have never been charged a charge on a paid off card.

Silly chick	probably not, unless it's an overlapse from the last billing cycle or if you pay an annual fee for the card

sarah m	dunno

STEVEN F	After the account is paid in full, no. However, finance charges may accrue between the time you check the balance and the time your payment is received by the credit card company. If you pay those in full the next month, your account should be clear.

Dan F	They shouldn't. If they are, you should cancel the card.

Patrick P	I would also call and ask as suggested however,a credit card company can charge you a maintanance fee to keep the account active.

Jeff L	only if there was a monthly charge reguardless of balance or you pay it off late.

DaMan	Depends on the method the credit card company is using to calculate your finance charge. Please bear in mind that a lot of credit cards calculate finance charges based on the average daily balance in your billing cyle. This means if you have carried a balance beyond the given grace period, you will pay finance charges even if you bring the balance to zero. Why you ask? Your AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE in the billing cycle is NOT your ending balance. Let me repeat that, your AVERAGE DAILY BALANCE in the billing cycle is NOT your ending balance! Never has been -- never will be. So even when you have paid in full AFTER having carried a balance BEYOND the grace period, the credit card company is charging you for the interest associated with carrying that balance from: (1) the last billing date to (2) the date the balance was paid in full. Ain't nothing in life free!

Lady	Yes, and they will, so next time you make a purchase you get to pay what they want you to. Normally they will send you some little pamphlet that will tell you that they are changing your rate. If you are wondering you can always call them, if you sound angry or like you might cancel their card they'll start offering you all kinds of deals, it's great fun.

mykidsRmylife	You cannot be charged finance charges on a zero balance. It's against the law. You can be charged a service fee to keep the account open. Close it if they do this. Others offer accounts without fees.

Reaper King	if it happened on the last bill statement then yes. it would've been prorated charges that accrued even though you paid off the balance. if it were to happen again then I would call and question them

mudcat1992	This is one of my pet peeves. Yes they can, but it should be illegal. Cancel the card and tell them to stick it up their ***!! It's the only way consumers are going to get treated fairly and the only way the credit card companies will change.

Scott D	technically no. The finance charges are based on your balance. For example, it might be 1%-5% of your balance.

Goddess T	if you brought the account balance to zero after the last statement due date, then yes, they will charge you finance charges on the outstanding amount from the last statement due date until the date paid in full.

kc	If you carried a balance into that billing period they can charge you charges on the remaining balance but every card is different -some charge if you don't use it I have heard - maybe a little more info??

skovol_007	No. But some credit card companies are starting to charge people a service fee if they keep their balance paid off all the time. (Because when people keep their balance paid off, the credit card companies don;t make any money of the insane interest rates they charge).