Do Not Claim "Hardship" for Credit Cards

WARNING: Do not claim "Hardship" for credit card debt.

I had a small credit card debt of $140.

I recently lost my job and wanted to claim "Hardship" with my Coles Mastercard (LATITUDE FINANCIAL SERVICES - crap company; you shouldn't apply for any of their cards, btw) not knowing what it really means.

The lady said "The moment we process a Hardship claim, you immediately lose access to your credit card. And you will probably not get it back, ever - a new Credit Analyst will into your claim for a new card and will decide to give you one - or not."

My intention was to pay $20 a week AND STILL have access to the credit card facility.

IMHO, it's much better to not claim Hardship but merely pay off what you can.

Anything less than $150 they write-off anyway, and won't affect your credit rating.

And you you will still have access to credit, for emergencies!

ITCrowd

Comments

  • +98

    Personally, I find that for most people, if you cannot pay of your credit card at a moment's notice, then you're using it wrong. A credit facility is expensive if not tamed. But I agree, don't claim hardship unless you are in genuine hardship because you damage your credit.

    Be it $1 or $1000, it shows that you're living above your means.

    Of course there are exceptions such as business owners (who risk being highly leveraged for potential future prosperity).

      • +3

        You only damage your credit with that one, specific Provider (Lattitude Financial, in my case).

        https://www.oaic.gov.au/individuals/privacy-fact-sheets/cred…

        Will your request for hardship assistance be included in your credit report?
        If you make an application to a credit provider for hardship assistance, the provider cannot disclose the fact that you have made a hardship application to a credit reporting body (CRB) for inclusion in your consumer credit report.

      • +1

        Sorry to say but this isn't the case for much longer.

        Credit reporting agencies will score based on whether credit cards and other bills were paid on time. Late payments will effect future repayments.

        However, there is a provision in the law that lenders are not allowed to base credit decisions on whether a customer has gone into hardship. But.. in reality I'm sure they still will…

        https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/amp.smh.com.au/money/borrowi…

        • +1

          I've no idea why they can't. The law in this area is frankly a mess. Lenders have to make sure they're lending to people capable of repaying loans. But they can't know if the person has had hardship repaying loans in the past?

      • You only damage your credit with that one, specific Provider (Lattitude Financial, in my case).

        Even that's not necessarily true. After my hardship agreement with Latitude Financial finished, my card went back to its normal functioning state automatically. The same also happened with my hardship arrangements with Citibank and Bankwest - the cards just started working normally again after the hardship period.

        With Bankwest, I later got my payout reduced by about $10,000 and part of that agreement was having the card closed. A while later, I applied to open another credit card with Bankwest and I got approved with no problems.

        Also confirming that, at least for the moment, hardship variations don't show up on credit reports. I've had multiple hardship agreements with Bankwest, Citibank and Latitude (including Bankwest and Citibank both agreeing to essentially waive about $10,000 of debt each) and nothing at all shows up on the credit report. In fact, my credit score with Equifax (formerly Veda) is 'Very Good'.

    • +3

      Yeah. I was in crippling credit card debt for about ten year on two different occasions - Well - once by me where I swore off them, but then a family member was desperate and I lent them mine - BIG MISTAKE.

      After clawing myself out of the holes I have been budgeting strictly for years now. I don’t spent a cent on credit that isn’t backed up with real money to pay off the day the bill comes. And then some.

      Yes people use credit cards wrong. Now thankfully I’m privileged to have a good job (though I deserve it) and don’t hurt as much for money either like I used to - it covers everything and then some for entertainment.

      But if you don’t have the money then credit probably isn’t the answer, an exception possibly being a car loan if you need one for work and a home loan because it’s hard to have $400k laying around.

    • Ah, I'm quite sure the point of a credit card is the 'credit' part, you know, because you don't have that amount at a moment's notice and would like to spread out the cost over a period of time. The way you describe it is definitely using it wrong, because you wouldn't even have one to use in the first place, just a debit card.

      • +10

        Nah, mine's just to accrue points, everything goes on the card then I pay it off a few days before the payment is due. The way the OP describes, only spending money you can immediately repay, is exactly the right way to use a credit card. The credit that they offer should only be used as credit only for the maximum amount of time before you would have to pay interest; credit card interest rates are massive and there's no interest free period if you don't pay off the balance every month, so if you ever fail to pay it off at the end of the month you're using it wrong.

        • +1

          Paying off a $100 pair of shoes will cost $200 at the minimum payment.

          They wouldn't offer those points unless enough forgot to pay it lol.

        • @Slippery Fish: Oh yeah, the company that issues that card would definitely like you to use it the way Adonael describes :D But using it that way is definitely not using it right.

          The credit card issuer still makes money of me, because they get a cut of the transaction fees, but I'm sure the bonuses wouldn't be as good if they didn't have many people paying out brutal interest as well.

        • @Slippery Fish:

          If you can't pay your closing balance in full, you shouldnt use a credit card.

  • +29

    Well that makes sense… If you're claiming hardship, they don't want you going into more debt that you won't be able to repay. That's like going "Dad, can I borrow $1000 but never pay it back?".

    Probably best for your own sake that the card got cancelled.

    • No, it didn't get Canceled.

      I refused to finish the Application when I heard what she said.

      • +6

        borrow the $140 off family/friends, pay your card off, then agree on how you will pay them back.. It's not a large amount

  • +31

    Why would you claim hardship on a card with such a small balance? The minimum payment would be less than the weekly figures you are suggesting.

    Simply pay the required minimum monthly payment until you are back on your feet. You'll keep the card, and nothing will be written off. A write-off may not affect your credit rating but it may prevent you from getting a limit increase or another card from the same bank going forward. I wouldn't consider any sort of write-off as a viable option.

      • +43

        If you have no integrity it's a viable option. You should always feel obligated to pay back what you chose to spend on the card whether it's $10 or $149.99.

        • +20

          You should always feel obligated to pay back what..

          Integrity with company dealings..on ozbargain? The place where obvious price errors are taken up en mass, and hordes of people sign up for free samples from niche companies that they have no use for?

          I'd better check that I'm in the right place.

        • +15

          @outlander: Price errors are the fault of the company, and just holding them to it. This is a lot closer to straight up theft - you're borrowing money from someone else, using it for your own benefit, and then running away from paying it back.

        • +10

          @outlander: Seeking a bargain and opportunistically shirking the repayment of personal debt are two completely different things.

          OP also needs to keep in mind that a lot of the consumer credit facilities are all operated by the same group/s. Burn one (like GE for example), and you could be cutting off many future options for credit.

        • -8

          @sparkles:

          I could write volumes about how both posters above are wrong, and how playing by the rules of your so called 'morality' won't save you, but there's little point. All that matters to corporations is profitability. If you don't make them a profit they will eventually find a way to get rid of you, whether you play by the rules or not.

          I do agree with you sparkles on your second point. If you're going to rip off something like GE, do it over something big, not a piddly couple of bucks

        • +13

          @outlander: Regardless of the amount, paying off debt you've accrued is not only a moral obligation, it's also legal. You signed documents agreeing to repay. The idea of morality or legality being set to a different standard due to the size of the corporation lending to you is rubbish. Just because it's part of a large group doesn't make it right to walk into Coles and steal $140 worth of stuff. This is effectively what OP is proposing and advocating as an solution to his debt "issue". Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. It's no wonder people get into dire problems with debt if the underlying attitude is that repaying it is not an obligation you should uphold.

        • +2

          @sparkles:

          Hey I don't like it either. The world would be much better if everything was done above board, but the world isn't like that, and you have to play the hand your dealt. Paying off debt is a legal obligation, yes, but availing yourself of any avenues to reduce or eliminate the amount you have to pay can be done legally, too.

          The idea of morality or legality being set to a different standard due to the size of the corporation lending to you is rubbish

          If a corporation has moral rights, do it also have moral responsibilities? Corporations avoid paying debts every chance they get, and will not hesitate to declare bankruptcy and leave everyone in the lurch if they need to. What do you make of these actions? What about all their attempts at tax avoidance?

          This is effectively what OP is proposing and advocating as an solution to his debt "issue"

          No. He didn't say that. You and the majority of posters here have made this into a strawman. The OP has caught onto the fact that life in our society is a game, and is sharing a rule that he learnt today. I'm sure if he could he would avoid the debt, as would all of us (how many here would think twice about writing in to the police to weasel out of a speeding ticket?) but thats not his purpose in making this post. He says as much below.

          BTW, I find it curious that you talk of morals towards a credit card company. A credit card company. You know their whole model revolves around trapping the ignorant and desperate into large levels of debt, and charging them exceedingly high rates of interest? I mean how could you not..

        • @itcrowd: no they dont, theft is theft and that is what you are suggesting.

        • @itcrowd: Big corporations don't owe you anything, you self entitled ozbargainer. You reflect badly on ozbargain.

        • @itcrowd: Indeed a few (yeah a few) agreed with you :)

    • +10

      The minimum payment would be less than the weekly figures you are suggesting.

      This. If you were planning to pay $20 a week, why would you claim hardship? Why not just make the minimum repayments?

  • +3

    Why would you even do that for $140 and repaying $20 a week?
    It will take you 7 weeks to pay off, and you'll pay bugger all interest on that amount.

    That's the whole point of the interest - if you don't pay it, they charge you.

    Just pay it like you intend to and don't worry about it.

  • +23

    The lady was reading a script. The script is designed to deceive you without defrauding you.

    If you cannot pay off a $140 debt you should not be using a credit card.

    • -7

      Very true.

      The script should, IMHO, also include the words "Should you proceed with this Application, all your accounts with us will now be immediately Canceled. You will also not get them back automatically, even when you pay us off in full."

      • +21

        Which is perfectly fair. I mean - do people think they have some kind of right to credit cards, which would effectively be a right to other people's money?

  • +22

    Do Not Claim "Hardship" for Credit Cards

    Unless you are in genuine hardship.

    • +13

      It should say do not claim hardship if you owe $140, just pay it off.

      • +9

        The moment we process a Hardship claim, you immediately lose access to your credit card.

        Seems prudent to me. If you are suffering hardship over $140 no use making it worse.

        Not being able to afford a smashed avo is not financial hardship.

      • +5

        if I'm reading right under $150 is a write off and just so happens he had an outstanding balance of $140. Is that genuine hardship or just trying to be shifty.

        • Reading a few of his posts definitely sounds very opportunistic

  • +28

    What’s the point of this thread exactly? Hardship over $140, you’ve got to be kidding!

    • Yes, I'm also wondering that.

      OP, are you able to let us know why you considered claiming hardship rather than just paying that $20/w and copping the interest? Was it because you were hoping they'd freeze the interest.

      • -6

        Was it because you were hoping they'd freeze the interest.

        Yes.

        • +14

          Look, fair enough, and thanks for responding.

          But in saying that (my calcs are a bit rough), but $140 paid back at $20/week at 19.99% p.a… That would be what, $3 in interest max?

          As others have said, hardship may be a viable option for some people, but I can't comprehend how you considered it for $140.

        • +9

          @tomsco: He was hoping they would write the debt off, with no consequences to his credit file.

        • Do got what you deserved.

          By opening the thread, the only negative publicity you've gained is upon yourself.

    • +29

      The point of this thread is some people should never get credit cards

    • +40

      Hardship provisions aren't there because of the warm hearts of finance providers, they are because of public and government pressure for the provider to show some reasonableness and compassion toward people in dire straits.

      The attitude that you would exploit this over such a piddling amount and give fodder to multi-nationals that people are abusing these provisions is a poor act on your part.

    • +1

      Well I for one am happy you posted. I know things like these exist, but like many I don't know the particulars
      With things like these, by the time people are compelled to research about them, a lot of the damage has already been done. Better to know early in my books

    • +4

      I didn't learn anything from this thread. Apart from that apparently some people will claim hardship over a $140 debt.

    • Get off the meth pipe mate

  • +20

    Can we please change the Title of this thread to "Don't spend $140 if you cannot afford to pay it back"?

  • +1

    I've read that a creditor cannot make you bankrupt unless the debt is $5,000 or more, but this post got me interested. I wonder what the lowest amount someone has owed in Australia before they voluntarily declared bankruptcy. I guess it's near $0 based on some technicality.

    • +1

      one must be fairly stupid if they were to revert to voluntary bankruptcy over piddly amounts given the negative consequences of such action.

    • -3

      You are correct.

      $5,000 is the magic number for compulsory bankruptcy by a creditor:

      https://www.foxsymes.com.au/debt-solutions/bankruptcy#ba3

      I guess at least one person in Australia has gone Voluntary bankrupt for $2.

      Just like at least one person in Australia has set up a "$2 company".

      So it must have happened somewhere, at some time.

      • +2

        Bankruptcy is not the only way a judgment creditor can enforce an unsatisfied judgment.

        People do not go voluntarily bankrupt for $2. Indeed the official receiver has an obligation to check that a debtor presenting a petition is actually insolvent.

        The comment about $2 companies also demonstrates ignorance for insolvent trading laws.

  • +7

    I would cancel the card too if you can't repay $140.

  • +22

    Hey guys, I know they will usually write off 150 debts, so I tried to write off 140, but then they 'threatened' to cancel my card and put a mark on my credit history.

    I don't have the money to pay by the due date and avoid any charges, so I'm going to do a PSA and say credit card companies are bad people they suck and are greedy.

    Also, any comments about how to use a credit card, planning ahead, and not actually overspending, you guys can f off. I'm just so angry that a billion dollar company has the gall to do this. I mean they should just write it off.

    That's how op sounds to me.

    • +5

      You didn't use any UPPER CASE though which is important

    • +1

      What's worse is, OP DOES have the money to pay the minimum repayment ($20 is far more than the min. on a $140 balance), but is just trying to be dodgy to save the $140, or save on the interest on the $140. I mean, for chrissakes, could he value his conscience any more cheaply?

    • +1

      So accurate

    • +1

      Some people seem to think having a credit card is their rights instead of privilege. This is the main reason the combined Australian household CC debt is something like $4 billion

  • +14

    You're claiming hardship over $140? That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard on OzBaragin this year. You do know that you don't have to pay the entire $140 at once, right? On your CC bill you will have a 'minimum' amount you need to pay. Just pay that. That will give you 1 month to find the rest of the money. If you still don't have it, then may the minimum amount again. If you still haven't gathered enough money by then to pay off the debt, then use your Christmas money that mummy and daddy have given you (I assume you're a child, because any adult with a job is able to cover such a minuscule debt)

    Other ways you can pay off the money:
    1. Ask family for it
    2. Sell some of your possessions on Gumtree
    3. Work an extra couple hours a week for a month
    4. Stop eating one day a week

  • +3

    im trying to comprehend this.

    If you cant afford to pay off a $140 bill and you recently lost your income. How are you surviving day to day?

    how are you accessing the internet….. HOW????

  • +3

    Instead of giving poor advice, you should be reading advice. To get in a situation where you have to pay off $140 at $20 a week is dire, you should never be in that kind of financial situation.

    • parental support

  • +10

    This is why we need a voting system for the forum posts as well.

    • Disagree. I prefer the open forum policy of OzB as opposed to WP or others where group think is taking over. "Conform to our ideas or we'll vote you out" attitudes are worse than a moron posting a dumb thread IMO.

  • +4

    OP needs to be banned from ozbargain .

  • +2

    OP is on ozbargain buying shiet

  • OP is a member since 20/10/2017… go figure

  • +2

    Are you all there mate?

  • +7

    OP pls enter your final form as disableduser

  • +1

    OP R U OK?

  • $140???? @@ oh my gosh? really?? I can easily make $140 within 3 hours or uberdrive

  • Isn't Coles Mastercard underwritten by Wesfarmers Financial?

  • +1
  • Remember the credit card money is never yours from the start, its a legal loan shark loan to lure/give the illusion you actually have the actual cash.

    Sharkbait uh ha ha~

  • +4

    I am sorry that you lost your job (been there done that), but seriously, for $140, you could probably get away with just paying the minimum monthly repayment of $20 or $30 per month until you get yourself another job, no need to go through all this "hardship" BS.

    all the best with your job search.

  • +2

    How can OP afford internet

  • +1

    How is it that someone who can’t pay a $150 credit card bill feels qualified to give financial advice?

    What a joke…

  • uh… assume maximum 20% interest rate = $28 of interest accrued for a 12 month period on $140.

    assume again a $500 credit limit, minimum repayment is $15 a month @ 3%, or $30 for a $1000 limit.

    I cannot understand the logic in what you're trying to achieve, frankly you are better off just putting $20 a month onto the card and accruing interest until you've paid it off.

    Hardship is intended for people with substantial debt who wants an interest freeze, they will lose remaining credit funds available funds on card and may affect future borrowings with that financial institution. However I'm talking a few thousand dollars at minimum.

  • +1

    Hardship claim for $140? I would close your account as well!

    • makes me wonder if it was a typo, perhaps OP meant $140k?

      • 140k on a credit card? Lol.

        • +2

          lol yeah, but why else would you claim "hardship" for $140 debt? even someone on the dole could've paid that off in 2 weeks………

        • @FW190: I'm unsure if your being logical or not. Have you not read everyone else asking the same?

          OP stated “I had a small credit card debt of $140".

          Additionally, if it was 140k interest alone would be 20k plus p/m.

        • @XioamiGuy:

          yeah I saw it, and I was really puzzled on why would the OP need to call Coles to claim hardship over such a small debt, unless there s/he made a typo…….. if it was $1400 or $14,000 then I can understand, but $140?

          $140k was an exaggeration :)

        • @XioamiGuy: Think your figures are a bit wrong there. A credit card debt of $140k would incur interest of $140k x 20% per annum (i.e. 28k per annum) therefore the monthly interest would be around $2,300 per month.

    • OP was hoping they will just write it off, send them a Christmas card and Bob's your uncle.

      OP used $140 and can't be bother paying it back - disgusting mentality.

  • I think they should make you turn in your passport and jettison you over the pacific ocean if you try something like this. You give people who are in genuine hardship a bad name.

  • +1

    Change the title to 'OP is a troll' please.

  • If u get $140. Will u instantly close then credit card to avoid it to be used again and be in same situation??

  • +4

    Riddle me this, if a mate borrows $140 from you and he turns around and says I’m struggling to pay the $140 would you then still let him borrow more money?

    If someone is already struggling and requesting hardship why would financial institutions allow the credit card to remain open and potentially letting them borrow more?

    There is some logic to financial institutions.

    • +2

      On the issue of lending money to friends as the old saying goes

      'If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.'

    • If you owe $100 and can't pay, you have a problem, If you owe $10,000,000 and can't pay, it's the bank who has a problem.

  • +4

    LATITUDE FINANCIAL SERVICES - crap company; you shouldn't apply for any of their cards, btw

    This on a site where half the members have a 28 Degrees card?

    • I wonder how many have it from it wizard days.

    • I don’t like the 95c fee for BPay payments but otherwise it’s fine…

  • +4
    • My intention was to pay $20 a week AND STILL have access to the credit card facility.
      With your Coles Credit Card @ $140, the minimum payment is $10 per month. To a company, you a not in financial hardship if you can afford this.

    • The lady said "The moment we process a Hardship claim, you immediately lose access to your credit card. And you will probably not get it back, ever - a new Credit Analyst will into your claim for a new card and will decide to give you one - or not."
      It would not be responsible for the company to allow you to use further credit if you had a hardship arrangement applied onto your account. Also, you will only lose access to your credit card during the hardship period you are in. If your situation improves, you can reactivate the credit card again.

    • Anything less than $150 they write-off anyway, and won't affect your credit rating. And you you will still have access to credit, for emergencies!
      The company will not write off $150 for no reason and will still give you access to your credit card. Writing off any amount will be a goodwill gesture from the company and most likely the card will be closed.

    • The script should, IMHO, also include the words "Should you proceed with this Application, all your accounts with us will now be immediately Canceled. You will also not get them back automatically, even when you pay us off in full."
      The scripting does say that your account will not be reinstated at the end of the hardship arrangement and it is a recorded message they play to you before you agree to the T&Cs. The company also allows you to reinstate your credit card if your situation improves.

    First time poster, sorry for the long post

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