After a couple of aggravations, I started paying ON LINE. When I receive my statement I mark the envelope 3 days before the due date. Then I go on line (now I’ve added insurance bills) on the indicated date. Using the computer I get..
1. An on-screen receipt that I instantly PRINT OUT and staple to my statement. This ALWAYS shows the date and usually tells me an e-mail is on the way.
2. The e-mail shows up and I print out THAT also.
Now I have two printed pages from the creditor showing the amount of payment, a CONFIRMATION NUMBER, and a ,from them, generated DATE OF PAYMENT.
All it costs me is 2 pieces of printer paper. Then the payment shows up on my bank statement.
All this because a major credit card company charged a Late Fee because a horrendous snow storm delayed ALL the mail so the payment was received LATE in the day it was due, and NOT posted until the next (but LATE) day.
Takes a couple of minutes, and does save on stamps.
You just need a computer.
Sneaky CC companies have found ways to trip up people who pay online, too. One of their tricks is to change the location that you send your payment to. Since you’re paying online, you aren’t using the payment slip with the new “updated” address, and most people have their bill pay already set up, so they don’t pay any attention to the addresses on the bills. Then the payment gets sent to the wrong location and by the time it gets forwarded, it’s “late” meaning they can jack up the interest rate and charge a late fee.
If you’re paying online, ALWAYS check the payment address on the bill with what you have in your bill pay records. I do this every month and have caught Discover engaging in this practice.