What to do if a credit card debt is still being collected even after it has been paid off?

For a debtor, receiving a phone call, a message stating "your case has been referred to a lawyer," or directly facing debt collection proceedings, even after paying off credit card debt, is one of the most traumatic situations. Moreover, the problem isn't just psychological pressure; even if payment has actually been made, incorrect record updates, erroneous offsetting, incomplete closing, only the minimum payment being made, or the collection information not being reflected in the debt collection file can lead to unnecessary pressure on the debtor. Legally, it's crucial not just to say "I paid," but the date, amount, card or file, and description . Because debt collection law strictly protects procedural deadlines alongside factual accuracy.

The first distinction under this heading is that what is commonly referred to as "falling into arrears" does not always refer to the same stage. The first stage is the bank's own delay and collection process. The second stage is the initiation of official enforcement proceedings . According to Law No. 5464 on Bank Cards and Credit Cards, if the minimum payment is not made within three months following the due date , and if this amount is not paid within one month of the notification from the card-issuing institution, the credit card is canceled, and a new credit card cannot be issued until the entire debt is paid. This provision explicitly regulates one of the legal consequences of delay in credit card debt; however, whether or not enforcement proceedings will be initiated is also evaluated separately according to the specific case.

When evaluating whether a credit card debt has truly been paid off, not only the existence of a payment but its scope is considered. According to Law No. 5464, the minimum payment amount stipulated in the contract cannot be less than twenty percent of the outstanding balance; if the minimum payment is not made by the due date, the cardholder cannot be held liable for any obligation other than the late payment interest stipulated in the contract. The same law explicitly states that if only a portion of the outstanding balance is paid, interest will be calculated on the remaining balance; if the minimum amount or more is paid, contractual interest will be applied; and if the amount is less than the minimum, late payment interest will be applied. Furthermore, compound interest cannot be applied . Therefore, in many cases where it is believed that the debt has been paid, in reality only the minimum amount or a partial payment may have been made.

There are also important limits regarding interest rates. The Central Bank of Turkey (TCMB) the maximum contractual and late payment interest rates card transactions on the fifth business day before the end of each month; banks cannot exceed these upper limits, but they can determine their own rates within these limits. The table published by the TCMB for April 1, 2026, shows different maximum rates depending on the outstanding balance; for example, for individual cards under 30,000 TL, the maximum contractual interest rate is shown as 3.11% per month, and the maximum late payment interest rate as 3.25% per month. Therefore, the outstanding balance may sometimes be due not to the principal amount itself, but to the interest accrued after partial payment; however, this interest must comply with the contract and the TCMB limits.

If a credit card debt appears to be in collection even though it has been paid, the first thing to do is clarify whether the entire debt has actually been paid, or only a visible portion has been settled. This is because the legal system accepts that partial payment does not eliminate the remaining balance; interest may continue to accrue on the remaining amount. Furthermore, items such as interest, commissions, or fees not included in the contract cannot be claimed. Therefore, it is necessary to differentiate which components make up the amount in collection: the principal, accrued interest, unconstitutional fees, or processing fees? A correct understanding of the debt components is essential for establishing a sound legal defense.

Here, the most powerful tool in the borrower's hands is the documentation. Card-issuing institutions are obligated to adequately inform the cardholder at the time of card issuance and, upon request, to provide records of completed transactions within a period not exceeding thirty days, depending on the nature of the transaction; this period is sixty days for international transactions. This regulation provides the borrower with significant support in terms of account statements, transaction summaries, payment dates, collection movements, and offsetting information. Therefore, receipts, EFT/wire transfer records, credit card statements, bank correspondence, call center registration numbers, and collection receipts, if any, should be collected without delay.

If no official enforcement file has yet been opened, meaning there is no payment order served, a written application must first be submitted to the bank or the law firm handling the case. This application must clearly state the payment date, amount, account used, receipt number, and the request to "register the payment in the system and close the enforcement proceedings." Since the cardholder has the right to request transaction records, the bank cannot provide vague answers regarding what remains open and what remains closed; it is obligated to show account activity and debt items. At this stage, the written application also serves as strong evidence in any future enforcement and compensation disputes.

If formal enforcement proceedings have been initiated and a payment order has been served on the debtor, the matter is no longer merely an internal bank record issue; the provisions of the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law come into play. According to the law, the debtor within seven days . Furthermore, according to the same law, a timely objection suspends the proceedings. Therefore, even if the credit card debt has actually been paid but enforcement proceedings have been initiated without a court judgment, the most effective and fastest way is often to not miss the seven-day objection period.

This objection must necessarily include the defense of "it has been paid." Because the debtor's mere statement of "I object" does not have the same practical effect as saying "the debt was paid before/after the enforcement proceedings, the receipt is attached." If only a portion of the debt has been paid, according to the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law, the debtor objecting to a portion of the debt must clearly state the nature and amount; otherwise, it will be considered as not objected to. Therefore, in cases where partial payment has been made, a concrete defense must be established, such as "this much principal has been paid, this item is unlawful."

If the enforcement office or the creditor's representative does not close the file despite payment being made, fails to enter the collection information into the system, or makes a clear mistake, the complaint procedure under the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law may be invoked. According to the law, a complaint must be filed within seven days of learning about these actions ; furthermore, a complaint is always possible in cases of non-fulfillment of a right or unjustifiable delay. In particular, situations such as the file not being closed even though it is clear that the payment has been collected externally, an incorrect balance being shown, or the collection not being offset, may constitute grounds for a complaint depending on the specific circumstances of the case.

Even if the debtor fails to notice the payment order within the prescribed time and the enforcement proceedings become final, the legal process is not completely closed. According to Article 71 of the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law, if the debtor proves, with a notarized document or a document whose signature has been acknowledged, that the debt and its ancillary charges have been repaid or that the creditor has granted them a grace period after the enforcement proceedings have become final, they may request the cancellation or suspension of the proceedings from the enforcement court. This provision is particularly important in cases where, despite the payment of a credit card debt after enforcement proceedings, the case remains open or the collection has not been recorded. However, the standard of proof here is stricter than in the initial objection; the stronger the documentation, the higher the probability of success.

In some cases, a debtor may be forced to pay money they don't owe or have already paid, simply due to pressure from enforcement proceedings. This is where negative declaratory judgment and restitution lawsuits come into play. According to the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Law, a debtor can file a negative declaratory judgment lawsuit to prove they are not indebted before or during enforcement proceedings. The same article also stipulates that a person who is forced to pay money they don't owe, simply because they did not object to the enforcement or their objection was dismissed, can file a restitution lawsuit within one year of the payment date. Therefore, if a credit card debt is already paid but is collected a second time, it's possible not only to stop the enforcement proceedings but to recover the excess or unjustly collected money .

Another point to consider during the debt collection process for credit card debts is whether the bank is demanding items not included in the contract. Law No. 5464 clearly states that no payment can be demanded or deducted from the account under the names of interest, commission, or fees not included in the contract for transactions made by the cardholder. Similarly, compound interest cannot be applied to card debts. Therefore, the "balance showing as being under collection even though the debt has been paid" may sometimes not actually be a legally valid balance; it may be an extra-contractual fee, erroneous interest, or an illegal calculation. In such a case, the defense should be based not only on the "I paid" axis but also on the "the demanded balance was calculated illegally" axis.

The notification and communication aspect is also important. According to Law No. 5464, warnings to the cardholder under this law, subject to the provisions of the Notification Law, are sent to the address stated in the contract or application form; if the cardholder has notified the bank of an address change, they are sent to the last reported address. Therefore, if the credit card debt appears to be in collection even though it has been paid, and there is an allegation of irregular notification or notification sent to the old address, a defense can be established on two fronts: both that the debt has been paid and that the notification was irregular. Notifying the bank in writing of address changes is therefore not only a matter of communication but also a matter of security for the defense.

Another practical risk regarding credit card debt is that while the debt appears closed in the bank's records, it may show as delayed in the records of other institutions. In this case, the debtor should request written confirmation from the bank there is no debt/account closure/payment has been received ; and if there is an enforcement file, they should check whether a closure or external collection statement has been issued via the file number. This is because updating the bank's internal system and closing the enforcement file are not the same process. The termination of official proceedings requires this to be reflected in the enforcement file; otherwise, the pressure of seizure and collection may continue to exist on the file. Therefore, verifying that the payment has been processed correctly and to the right place is as important as the payment itself.

In conclusion, if a credit card debt is paid but collection proceedings are initiated, the next step depends on the stage of the case. If it's only an internal bank collection process, a written request for correction should be made along with transaction records and receipts. If enforcement proceedings have been initiated and a payment order has been served, filing an objection within seven days is the most critical step. If the proceedings have been finalized, it is necessary to apply to the enforcement court with proof of payment. If wrongful collection has occurred, a negative declaratory judgment or restitution lawsuit will be considered. The most important point is this: the mere belief that "I paid" does not provide protection; proof, timely submission , and, if necessary, recourse to the correct procedures in enforcement law are required.