Can credit cards keep posting bills after you cancel your card??

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Apr 20th, 2017 2:33 am

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Apr 16th, 2017 9:23 am

dazz [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Dec 10, 2004; 6720 posts; 2412 upvotes; Vancouver

Apr 16th, 2017 9:23 am

Can credit cards keep posting bills after you cancel your card??

if I had some pre-authorized payments and then I canceled the card, a month later Amex sent me a bill, even though I cancelled the card. Is that legal? I was under impression(and via my past Visa experience where the charge just doesn't go through) once you CANCEL the card, it's not working so they can't bill you as the CC number does not exist. Because if not, this opens up to a whole new world of credit card scams where someone can dig through your trash, find out your cc number of the cut up card and then start charging you preauthorized payments. 2 years ago when I canceled one of my visa with 1 pre-authorized bill, the charge did not go through. Something is wrong with Amex and their policies!

I use voice typing, expect mistakes...

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Apr 16th, 2017 9:35 am

Conquistador: Deal Fanatic; Feb 19, 2010; 6237 posts; 2982 upvotes

Apr 16th, 2017 9:35 am

Most people would change their pre-authorized payments to another card before cancelling the existing one so that what you're describing shouldn't happen. You, OTOH, make it sound like you're trying to hide behind a cancelled card to get out of paying legitimate fees.

And, yes, it is legal.

+3

Apr 16th, 2017 10:12 am

dazz [OP]: Deal Fanatic; Dec 10, 2004; 6720 posts; 2412 upvotes; Vancouver

Apr 16th, 2017 10:12 am

Conquistador wrote: ↑ You, OTOH, make it sound like you're trying to hide behind a cancelled card to get out of paying legitimate fees.

And, yes, it is legal.

Thanks for the uncalled judgement, you are too kind...

I use voice typing, expect mistakes...

+1

Apr 16th, 2017 10:16 am

theguyz: Deal Addict; Dec 12, 2006; 4343 posts; 562 upvotes; Messed Up Area

Apr 16th, 2017 10:16 am

Yes they can and can charge you interest, and they could charge extra fees for closed card usage.

Put it this way you authorized account to take $ from credit card, credit card pays it, you pay credit card.

Only if you have cancelled or changed( prior to closing card ) the authorized account from taking from this credit card, you owe nothing.

But since you didn't cancel or change authorized account you are 100% liable.

simple, pay it and change/cancel authorized account

Apr 16th, 2017 10:16 am

don242: Deal Fanatic; Nov 19, 2004; 8990 posts; 1934 upvotes; Cambridge, ON

Apr 16th, 2017 10:16 am

The pre authorized charges are between you and the company you are paying. A credit card company is not privy to that agreement so many keep accepting the charges since they cannot cancel the agreement that they are not privy to. Obviously it is up to you to change your automatic payments.

I think many credit cards after you cancel, stay active for up to a year after the last transaction for this reason. So always best to make sure you change all your automatic payments before canceling a card.

+1

Apr 16th, 2017 10:57 am

coolintheshade: Deal Fanatic; Aug 24, 2016; 8791 posts; 9777 upvotes; The Prairies

Apr 16th, 2017 10:57 am

The only way to "cancel" a card so it can never be charged on again, is to report it stolen.

+2

Apr 16th, 2017 6:03 pm

Aethean: Deal Addict; Sep 1, 2013; 1420 posts; 323 upvotes; New Tecumseth, ON

Apr 16th, 2017 6:03 pm

dazz wrote: ↑ if I had some pre-authorized payments and then I canceled the card, a month later Amex sent me a bill, even though I cancelled the card. Is that legal? I was under impression(and via my past Visa experience where the charge just doesn't go through) once you CANCEL the card, it's not working so they can't bill you as the CC number does not exist. Because if not, this opens up to a whole new world of credit card scams where someone can dig through your trash, find out your cc number of the cut up card and then start charging you preauthorized payments. 2 years ago when I canceled one of my visa with 1 pre-authorized bill, the charge did not go through. Something is wrong with Amex and their policies!

Anything related to finances or personal information should be shredded, not just tossed in the recycling bin.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Apr 17th, 2017 4:34 pm

MasterPro: Sr. Member; Sep 6, 2016; 756 posts; 295 upvotes

Apr 17th, 2017 4:34 pm

IT is Amex

Mastercard didn't

But Amex is working like that...
Like they care about you...

Public Mobile $35 / 4GB LTE a month forever!

Apr 17th, 2017 11:43 pm

hvwkzq: Deal Fanatic; Aug 3, 2014; 5737 posts; 3728 upvotes

Apr 17th, 2017 11:43 pm

They probably let the previously authorized ones go through, but not any new ones. So there is no way to scam, unless your pre-authorized payments were already going to a scammer.

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Apr 19th, 2017 1:46 pm

Faith24: Deal Addict; Feb 29, 2012; 2654 posts; 1459 upvotes; Richmond

Apr 19th, 2017 1:46 pm

This came up a few years ago in a TV news investigation into the issue of people trying to cancel unwanted gym memberships. The major Canadian credit card companies were asked whether they would continue to process charges made to a canceled credit card, and the all confirmed that yes they would. If the charge is fraudulent, you can always try to get it canceled, but in a grey area where the merchant claims that they have your signature on file agreeing to a pre-authorized payment, the credit card companies will pass the charge on to you and decline to intervene in what they consider to be a dispute between you and the merchant.

Apr 20th, 2017 2:33 am

X360: Deal Addict; May 13, 2005; 3595 posts; 3465 upvotes; Montreal

Apr 20th, 2017 2:33 am

When you cancelling Amex card, the agent will tell you to cancel/change pre-authorized payment...

You are requested to destroy your Card (as you have a Chip & PIN enabled Card, you must cut through the Chip to destroy it). Using the Card after it is cancelled would reactivate the Card and you remain responsible for all charges.

You are also requested to contact any Merchant that may use your Card account number for pre-authorized billing and advise them that your Card has been cancelled. Please ask them to cease all billings:

+ monthly/quarterly/annual billings
+ membership subscriptions
+ cellular phones
+ Internet provides
+ fitness centers
+ travel agents

If at all, you change your mind and wish to continue using the Card, you would be requested to apply for new Card.

Also, the paperless statement feature on your account will be cancelled automatically.

We communicate the above mentioned information to ensure that even canceling your American Express Card becomes a smooth experience for you.

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