Complaint Review: Orchard Bank - Salinas California

This won't help with what has already happened, but for future reference, never set up any kind of payments with the creditor directly. This gives them pretty much open access to your account, and they can draw funds at will, whenever they think they need to. What happened to you is an example of this. Instead, set up the online payment at your bank or credit union's online banking site. This gives YOU control over the payments, and the creditor never sees your account numbers, nor do they have any access to your account. Another huge benefit is that you get confirmation of when the creditor will recieve the payment, and if you have paid on time but it arrives late, they will cover late fees.

I too have had problems with online payments to them in the past. Their website would not work properly to finalize my payment and as a result my payment was late. When I had the problem I immediately emailed them and informed them of the problem and told them I tried to make an ontime payment but was unable & wouldn't be responsible for late charges-guess what? They couldn't care less. This is only 1 of the many problems I have had with them. As for the foreigners answering the phones-I know what you mean about their script reading and I don't call anymore because I can't understand them. Their English is VERY poor. Since you have internet access you might want to try filing a report with the Better Business Bureau, try a website called Lawyers & Settlements (I have filed a report with them and have been contacted about their wanting to file a class action suit) and do a search for a complaint against banks and credit cards. There is also a banking authority that looks into complaints and they will contact you. Hope the info helps you.

Hello Joanna, I read your post and saw that you set up automatic payment of your credit card bill with Orchard. Often, credit card companies change the due date by a few days. Example, with my Chase card. Last month it was due on the 19th. Month before it was the 17th. This coming month, it is due the 22nd. They change every month by a few days. Sometimes you are lucky enough to find one that keeps it the same every month (like Capital One) Automatic payments can be really great if it's a bill taken out the same day each month. But on a payment as flexible as a credit card payment, I wouldn't agree to have that on autopay. I know that you said you tried to contact them via the phone number. Since that hasn't worked for you I have another idea. Usually, on your monthly bill, there are two addresses. One for you to send your payment to, and one for correspondence. I would send a letter to the correspondence address explaining the situation. You might get a response that way, and the letter will go to someone in the U.S. The credit card companies actually make less money when you pay early. Finance charges are accrued based on your average daily balance. The earlier you pay, the lower your average daily balance. The lower that balance, the less they can charge your for interest. The dream for the credit card company and loan company would be the customer that pays right on the due date or just the day before, more interest that way. It would not have been to their benefit to draft your payment early. Best of luck with Orchard.