Thanks braindeadave.

This issue is not whether I can afford to pay it. I have no recollection from that far back whether I did pay it - one thing is for sure, I didn't walk out of a hotel without paying. I am therefore currently taking the advice given to me by my credit card company and will act accordingly.

Thanks - Heather

Regardless of it being 1yr or 4 years old, you do owe this money. Perhaps speaking to the credit card company and arranging a special repayment plan might be a good option?

Hi Heather,

As a reply to yesterday I've managed to dig out some information for you. You are very very unlikely to ever find it in black and white as it is determnined by the merchant agreement (which is held by Visa, Mastercard etc rather than your card company) but the standard agreements are 6 or 12 months depending on the nature of the business.

I hope that assists you somewhat

Heather,

I'm glad to hear that your CC company are approaching the matter in a sensible fashion re the dispute and payment - that is similar to how we do things.

I'm only going on what I am told re the 1 year billing period, I shall endevour to find something in writing for you (although no promises)

Dan

Thanks catflea

The story continues ...... The credit card company have very kindly now advised that I don't need to pay the amount whilst it is in dispute. They have also in the meantime credited my account and sent the money back to the merchant's bank and say they have 45 days to respond. However, what the CC company have also confirmed is that legally they can still charge me up to 6 years from the transaction - which is a lot longer than 1 year. If it is only 1 year then of course I am OK, but obviously this is different to 6 years quoted. Where would I be able to see in black & white terms which state 1 year (or 6?).

Thanks for your advice in the meantime - Heather

I work for a CC Company and do a little disputes work alongside my day job. Companies can claim charges upto 1 year after the transaction date. After this point charges become invalid you need to raise this as a dispute with your credit card company.

If you can I would suggest paying the full balance to avoid any interest, its far easier to avoid it in the first place than get it refunded later on! Also, dont cancel the card till the dispute is resolved.

Hi All

I have e-mailed the FSA Money made clear link that Huckster provided above and will let you all know the outcome. I have challenged this with the hotel directly also and I am waiting for their response.

When I called my Credit Card company they advised me to contact the hotel directly. They would not let me withhold payment whilst it was in dispute but just said pay the minimum whilst I am investigating but of course I would then be paying their huge interest charges. I'm not sure if this is correct but that's what they have advised - I found them very unhelpful.

Thanks again for everyone's input - Heather

Jalexa

I don't think the credit card company would know the date of the original transaction to have stopped the payment, but there should be a process to dispute the payment.

I believe there is a 12 month limit on such a delayed payment but I could not find the rules. There must be international law covering this, which Mastercard or Visa apply through the contract with vendors.

Huckster

MrsGuyan2B:

What would have happened if you had cancelled your card 6 months ago?

Cancelling a card does not prevent either continuous authority or prior transactions being presented for payment and paid though I'm not sure about whether there is a time limit or not. 4.5 years does seem rather a long time.

What would have happened if you had cancelled your card 6 months ago? Surely this can't be right as if you where over your credit limited at the time of transaction the payment wouldn't have been authorised? Please keep us updated with the outcome of this.

Thanks Huckster

I will phone the freephone number - exactly the help I need. My credit card company none too helpful so once all sorted and my CC paid off I will cancel - have been with them for years but never needed support from them before!

Thanks again - Heather

Heather

Obviously take this up with the hotel, but I would also check your rights with the credit card company.

This is the FSA's money made clear link which includes a freephone number. They should be able to clarify the position.

http://www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/

Huckster

Thanks for your reply Joly. Unfortunately, although a chain does not have a UK base.

Did wonder what my rights could be legally. Can somebody really still charge you for something 4.5 years after the event. If it was a cheque this has a much short life span (6 months?). I really can't remember how much this bill would have been for either, so will wait and see what they say and maybe negotiate.

Thanks again - Heather

you may legally have some rights here but the reality is you used the hotel and did not pay at the time. now they have cought up.

Its not ideal and might be coming at an ackward time but you really should pay for the service you used, Maybe you could comprimise with the hotel and pay a lesser amount for the inconvienice ?

are they are multi national hotel they might have a uk base you can contact ?

Hi - I wonder if somebody could give me some advice.

I recently checked my credit card statement on-line and noticed it seemed particularly high. There is a charge on there from a Hotel in Malaysia from July 2005.

I did stay at this hotel in July 2005 for 3 nights but did check out with my credit card. I don't have statements anymore going that far back but the credit card company have sent me statements from July 2005 to December 2005 and there is no charge on there from the Hotel. On that basis, it looks like the charge didn't go through.

However, I no longer have the receipt so am also uncertain if the amount is correct. I also found it strange that the credit card company let this charge go through without contacting me first, especially as it is 4.5 years old. I have contacted the hotel direct and they are investigating. Would I still be liable for this after 4.5 years and is it up to the hotel to prove the amount that is potentially owed and that I do in fact still owe this?

In the meantime I have today received my credit card statement in the post and am due to pay the amount imminently (I always pay the full balance by standing order). The credit card company won't withhold this amount whilst I am investigating and the best advice they can give me is just pay the minimum charge on my credit card and pay interest on the balance. The amount that I am investigating is £1100.00, so it is quite a hefty amount.

Any help would be appreciated - regards, Heather