Irritating Charges and Fees….Read the Fine Print
Sunday, June 27th, 2010I just read an article about the most irritating surcharges and fees. No matter what your financial condition is, I recommend that you read your mail carefully. Lenders, creditors and other services providers are looking for ways to make more money during these trying economic times and charging additional fees is an easy way to do it. Airlines started charging to check your bags, some credit card companies are charging a fee if you don’t use your card often enough, banks and credit unions are charging addditional fees for account services. Most companies include an announcement of changes to their fees schedules on your monthly statements but you have to look for it. If you are just opening your mail without doing more than checking your balance or payment due and sending it off without reading the statement detail, it could end up costing you. Requirements for ‘opting in’ or ‘opting out’ of certain programs or services can also end up costing you if you don’t take action within the required time frames. So, bottom line, watch your accounts closely and read your statements carefully.