Could anthrax delay your bills?

By JO THORNHILL
Updated:

 

CREDIT card holders with American providers, such as American Express and MBNA, could have their monthly statements and bills delayed because of anthrax scares both sides of the Atlantic.

UK customers with American Express cards have their bills processed through US offices in Florida. But if they receive their letters late and don't get their payments in on time it could mean extra penalty charges unless they inform the company in time.

Judy Tenzer, media relations manager at Amercian Express in New York says: 'We are monitoring the postal system but there are not widespread postal delays in the US. It is unlikely people will receive their statements late.'

But news reports in the US have described the Washington postal service as 'on its knees' in the wake of the anthrax scare.

In Washington DC two postal workers have died of inhalation anthrax and five others - all of them Washington postal workers - are in hospital undergoing tests for possible anthrax infection. Another anthrax victim has died in Florida.

However, even if there are delays, American Express says customers should not worry about being charged for late payments - if it is caused by a legitimate postal delay.

Amex's Tenzer says: 'In normal cases we allow a window of time for payments - depending on the type of card you have. If there were to be postal problems we would certainly work with customers and take the situation into account - as we did in the delays after 11 September.'

And Jackie Goozee, press manager at Amex in the UK, is also quick to reassure customers. 'There's no reason why they should be getting their statements late. But if people are concerned we advise them to get in touch. We can advise card holders of their statement, send out a replacement bill and arrange for payments to be made over the phone if necessary.

'Any problems or delays that aren't the customer's fault will be considered when levying charges.'

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