I Hate Providian Financial.
From Linda -
I was going to contact them for a loan. . .boy, did
you enlighten me with your website. Thanks!
From an anonymous "fan" -
FYI - Providian is not the only credit card company
that will increase the APR on customers who are unworthy of decent rates. You must have
done something negative to trigger the increase. I find it hard to believe a company could
grow from 1 million customers to 5 million in 18 months, if they are generally screwing
people over. You will probably do best to not dable in credit. It is obvious you are more
gifted for internet propaganda.
(Note: Investigations by government and media
organizations, a class action law suit, and three pages of complaints from Providian's
victims, and this person makes ME the bad guy? Well, at least he or she thinks I'm gifted.
I should be grateful for that. - MB)
From Melody -
WOW!!!!!!!!! First let me take a moment to
congratulate you on your excellent writing skills. Did you ever think of Journalism? I to
was about to send in my "30-Second Response Certificate" when I decided (as many
others) to check into the "Credit Protection Plan". I don't know why you're
complaining about $7.95, they were willing to offer me (a preferred customer) this plan
for $12.95!!!!! Of course there were some limitations and restrictions in the credit
protection plan, but, unless you read the back of their nice letter you wouldn't know
this!!! It's kind of like getting "accident insurance", there are so many
restrictions that apply it is worthless, in the meantime, Providian is charging your card,
plus interest, monthly to have this automatic protection that you don't get to say whether
you want it or not!!! Thank you sooooooooo much for your insight into what this company of
thieves is all about.
You saved me alot of money and headache, not to
mention giving me a good laugh!
(Note: WOW!!!! I'm flattered. After all, I'm just
the "Bones" McCoy of the Starship "Consumer". - MB)
From Nicole -
I can't tell you how lucky I am to have come across
your site. I received the offer for a $300 card about two weeks ago. The card has a 23.99%
rate and also required a $89 one time processing fee. As a college student whose credit
really isn't that great, I thought this would be a good card to
re-establish my credit. Fortunatley, I don't get paid until the end of the month so I
decided to wait to send off my check. Today(July 28), I decided to see what kind of info I
could find on Providian. I had already signed the membership card and I intended on
mailing it(and my check) after work.
However, after reading about the trouble that everyone else has had I immediately tore up
the offer and my check. You have just stopped me from making a HUGE mistake. Like I said
before, I am a college student, and dealing with Providian could have really hindered my
future. THANK YOU.
(Note: I read Nicole's e-mail while drinking my
morning coffee. Best cup of java I've had in a long time. - MB)
From Darlene -
Thanks for keeping me from making a huge mistake, I
was looking for credit repair when I saw your bulletin, Doesn't sound like they would help
at all, probably hurt.
Thanks again.
From Amanda -
You have got me really scared now!!!! I filed
bankruptcy in 1996. I've had a Providian Visa since October 1998 and recently obtained a
Providian Mastercard as well. What have I done?!!! My story is like this: $29 one time
processing fee (mastercard didn't require one), my first payment to them was a day
late--they tried to charge me 169.00 for it being late with a list of crap to tell me why.
I called them and I still ended up sending them 70+ to make up for a day! I have been
blessed with the $59 annual membership fee on both cards. I refused the credit protection
on a SUNDAY and I hung up the phone cursing at them for calling me on a Sunday to begin
with and kept saying no. Then, the representative (this was before the mastercard) asked
what I thought they could do to reward me for having good credit standing with them and I
said cheaper interest rate (both cards are at 23.99%)
So, I get an offer in the mail for the mastercard after that. I haven't really had a
problem with them THAT I KNOW OF. Now that I've run across your site--I'm going to go over
my statements with a fine toothed comb. I want to pay them off after the first of the
year--how hard is it going to be (both cards)? Thanks for the info, I wished I would have
found it sooner!!!!
From "Almost got me in New Jersey" -
I WAS considering applying for Providian's MasterCard
special - instantly approved credit card with ridiculously high rates. After reviewing
your site and reading the responses, the first thing I will be doing after this e-mail is
ripping up the invitation. Thank you so much for saving a life. Keep up the great work.
(Note: New Jersey already has HUMONGOUS
mosquitoes. They don't need another type of bloodsucker. - MB)
From Marvin -
I do agree with your opinion of Providian, I too was
suckered into their trap of getting my credit straightened up by applying for their card.
I received their card almost 2 months after I applied
for it, They took the original 89.00 out of my checking account to start the account, and
when I finally received the card, I already owed another 89.00 to which they so graciously
applied to the card for the annual fee.
I went along with it, Then me and my girlfriend went to the store and bought a stereo for
149.00 and put it on my card, By the time I got my first bill in the mail I was charged
for all this stuff plus two months of late charges and interest.
The funny thing is when I got my first bill was like 1 week before it was due again, and I
was in the hospital for an illness, I called them from my hospital room and told them to
take the payment out of my checking account since I was in the hospital, and could not
mail a payment in time, so they did..,But out of the graciousness of their hearts, they
raised my credit limit another 150.00. And then they enrolled me in their disability
insurance plan and charged me 149.00 for it..
So to make a long story short,thanks to Providian the stereo that I bought at Walmart for
149.95 now is costing me 558.91 the grand total of what I owe Providian for being so kind
as to give me one of their cards..
This was not signed......for obvious reasons.
Your diatribe against Providian is really quite
pathetic. Perhaps Providian does err in assuming that prospective cardholders are
INTELLIGENT enough to actually read and, God forbid, understand their terms and conditions
PRIOR TO agreeing to them.
Obviously, those bandwagon-hopping morons whose comments you included in your website were
among those NOT intelligent enough. Read the terms. If you don't agree to them, do not
open an account. Simple, eh? Maybe all banks should administer an intelligence test before
allowing someone to apply. No...bad idea. There would be no customer base under those
conditions.
Bet I don't see my little comment on your website. And yes, you really should apologize
for being from New Jersey.
(Note: Even this person's e-mail address was
obviously phony. It's so nice to deal with an "intelligent" person. But for now,
I'll stick with the "bandwagon-hopping morons". They, at least, don't snipe from
behind bushes. - MB)
(Another note: The "New Jersey" comment
did go a bit overboard, don't you think? I wonder if this "fan" has any real
friends.)
From Kevin -
I appreciate your site I wish I had seen it sooner. I
sent in the $89 fee and then found your site. When I did I contacted Providian and told
them I wanted to cancel. They said when I recieved my card to cut it up and send it back
to them and they would issue a full refund minus a $59 admistration fee even though all
their forms say full refund and do not mention a fee. I recommend that everyone who
has been screwed by Providian file a complaint at www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.htm so hope fully (sic)
we can get them put out of business .
Thank You
From Hank -
Ran across your site while researching Cross Country
Bank, the only credit scam worse than Providian. If the CEO of Providian is Franz Kafka,
he moonlights as a consultant to the Marquis de Sade at Cross Country.
Nice job with the Providian personal experiences.
There was briefly a site devoted to Cross Country victims, but lawyers from that beloved
institution threatened legal action and shut it down.
Anyway, I was happy to see someone else my age can be
taken by these kinds of crooks. It takes a bit of the sting out of the humiliation I
experienced at the hands of these incredible loan sharks.
I also enjoyed your reading list. After what's
happened in Washington in the past few years, another J.L. Chamberlain would be a godsend,
if he brought only half his integrity to current politics.
Best of luck
(Note: If Gen. Chamberlain were here today, he'd
probably have too much contempt for the system to dirty his hands. - MB)
From Todd -
I hear you. my problem is with their marketing and
sales strategy. They won't leave me or my wife alone! We still receive solicitations from
them after repeated requests to be taken of their mailing/telemarketing lists. they are
the WORST "financial institution" i have come across. The offers themselves are
insulting, with 19.97% APRs and lord knows what kind of hidden and unreasonable charges in
the fine print.
Bravo for such an informative and well-put togther
site. We need more people like you.
Long live the Consumer!
From Larry -
Thanks for the tip on Providian. I was
suspicious about the low "fixed" rate they were offering but went ahead and sent
in the response card anyway. I haven't even received the card yet and am already
receiving up to 4 phone calls a day offering other financial services. I decided to
call them and see if I could possibly stop the phone calls. While I was looking on
the internet for their customer service phone number, I came across your web
page. I used the phone number you provided to not only request that I be taken off
the phone list but also to cancel my card application before things got worse.
From Lisa -
Thanks for your helpful and interesting information
about Providian. I saw their commercial and thought their card would be good for a friend
of mine who has never had a checking or savings account, and definitely never a credit
card, but I wanted to check them out first. A couple other links Metacrawler came up with
made me doubtful, but your page really got my attention, thanks again.
From Pam -
I was trying to check out information on my new credit card I
just applied for Providian and I saw your web site. I must confess after reading
your site I am afraid to get this card. I have already applied and been approved with a
high limit. My credit is not that bad so that's why I thought they had given me such
a high limit. I guess I got tricked too cause I did something I have NEVER done before and
that is transfer all my balances which totaled 1000.00 over to Providian now after reading
your site I am so afraid. I have not received my card nor statement as of yet cause I just
did this about two weeks ago. You know now that I think about it I kinda had a
strange feeling about this cause it was just to good to be true. I think I will call
them and reverse everything. I thought I had made a decision to move forward but I
see I was just moving backwards.
Thanks for the information
From Kelly -
I was surfing the web to check out the credentials of
Providian Financial after they had sent me an invitation that seemed too good to be
true. This invitation for a VISA platinum card with 5.99% FIXED rate - no annual fee
- credit limits up to $100,000 sounded like the card for me. After reviewing your
web page, I feel as though I was about to embark on a terrible journey. I wish to express
sincere gratitude to you and all the folks who commented on your web page - it changed my
mind!
From Frank -
Just wanted to drop you this note. When looking through the latest news on
Bloomberg.com today (8-25-99), I reviewed a story describing recent downturns in the
banking industry. Coincidently, I happen to be looking for a new bankcard and was curious
about the Providian offer as described in the Bloomberg report (see below). After using
infosek to perform the search, I saw your site and was curious about your experience. Now
that I have visited your site, I think I'll pass on Providian. I wonder how many visitor
to your site have stayed away from Providian given your commentary? We'll - just keep your
site going - maybe you'll be able to wear the !!!!! down.
From CLUELESS -
Thank you for your page on Providian. I had NO CLUE that all this nonsense
was going on. I recently opened a Visa account with them and kept wondering why
every time I sent in a $100 payment, my account would only be credited for about $60
(tells you how closely I look at my statements!).Your site has been an
"enlightening" experience.I guess I need to write a letter in order to close my
account, so I'll be doing that today.Thank you for the info.
(Note: When a trap is elaborately prepared and
concealed, anyone can fall into it. - MB)
From Merv -
If you've had problems with PROVIDIAN VISA, file a formal complaint with the OCC
(The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency an agency of the United States Department
of the Treasury.)
Their WEB site is
http://www.occ.treas.gov/customer.htm
Providian offered us a Visa Platinum card at 7.9% with a credit limit of $25,000.00 and a
transfer of balance rate of 12.99%. We read the small print that required a copy of
our existing rate information and mailed it accordingly. But, after 2 months our
rate went to 21.99%. When we called they said they received the information 1 day late. We
decided to close our account and sent a payment to pay off the balance. They posted a
$750.00 fee for not holding the account for 1 year. BEWARE - STAY AWAY FROM PROVIDIAN -
FILE YOUR COMPLAINTS WITH THE OCC.
From Marie -
Thank you for your web site. I just made the mistake of returning an
application to Providian with a $29 check for a Visa. I knew something was fishy
because they kept soliciting me with applications even though I have a really bad credit
history. I kept reading the fine print and thinking, "Man, they're really
gouging their customers. 24 % interest with no grace period!" But I finally
succumbed because I thought it is a necessary evil to have a credit card these days.
But yesterday, instead of receiving the actual card, I received another solicitation
for "credit protection" for $149 for 2 years. And there's no way to receive the
card without the credit protection? I knew something was wrong, really unethical
about this bank. So I did a search for "Providian" and lo and behold! I got
your web site.
Oh my God, I feel like such a sucker! I can't believe how many people have so many
horror stories about this "lending institution." Man, it's cheaper to borrow
money from the Mob! I am going to write a letter and cancel the card right away.
Forget the $29 processing fee. I'd rather kiss that money good-bye and cut my losses
before Providian starts hemorrhaging money out of my checking account.
So thank you for the testimonials. Do you have the address to which I can write my
cancellation letter? I haven't received the card or my first statement yet, and I
don't want to wait until they hit me with the $59 annual fee.
Thank you again
(Note: Providian's address is 201 Mission Street, SF, CA 94105. I
assume that they DO read their mail. - MB)
From Harold -
Good material about Providian. I applied for a credit card a few weeks ago and
started to get a funny feeling about them. I decided to search the internet under
"providian and fraud". Boy, there are a lot of complaints about
them. I just got off the phone with them and told them to cancel the card even
before I got it. When I told the customer rep why, she didn't want to even hear
about it. Now I only hope I can get the $49 back.
From Glenn -
On the morning of Sept. 7th, I mailed out my $89 processing fee check for my
pre-approved Providian Visa w/$300 unsecured limit. When I got home from work, I
decided to look around the net and found your website. I immediately called my bank the
morning of the 8th and not only put a stop payment on the check, but also barred Providian
from doing an electronic bank draft through my checking account. Seems they like to
do that sort of thing, and my bank was aware of them!
I am from the old school that a man's word and business should be conducted in the
utmost of honesty. I didn't find that to be the case from what I read about the Card
sharks at Providian. I wished more people could see your website before getting
suckered into a financial nightmare.
I can't tell you enough how relieved I am to not be a part of their schemes. We'll
see how the stop payment goes. My bank is backing me 100%.
Thank you, again,
(Note: Amazing! A bank helping someone fight
Providian? And I thought my cooperating with a lawyer was remarkable. - MB)
From Glenn (part II) -
I requested a stop payment on Sept. 8th. for the $89 processing fee. Two
weeks later, I got a real nice letter,(hmm) telling me since my check had been returned
for insufficient funds-not a stop payment, mind you!-, Providian could not open my
account. It went on to tell me I would not qualify for ANY future opportunities for a
Providian card in my lifetime and if I were to receive anymore offers to promptly discard
them.
I am going to check my credit report in a couple of months, just to see if they
mess with it. Any future mailings I will keep in a file for if I need to reciprocate
legally, I am documentally sound. It is October 17th, and I have yet to receive back my
stop payment check. Thanks again for saving me from a financial nightmare.
From Julie -
We opened a credit card account with
Providian about 3 years with a security deposit after a business bankruptcy thinking it
would help us to establish credit again. Although we haven't had the horror stories
presented on your website, they have divided and conquered us in a different way.
Every 6 months or so, they send a letter telling you that you need extra credit for
those "unforseen emergencies". They are trying to appeal to your
emotions at this point. Just sign here and we'll bill you a one-time processing fee of $79
and increase your credit limit by $1,000. We always trash the offers but
eventually they just "grant" the increase anyway. Such nice guys, don't you
think? They know perfectly well that if your credit limit is increased, you
will probably use it, emergency or not. Especially for people who have had a
not-so-perfect past with credit, this is criminal because they are just setting you up to
be indebted to them for life. And that is exactly what we are looking at. Our
balance is up to $7,000 with over $100 going to interest every month. It makes us
sick. We are in the proverbial trap because when we make our $200 plus payments
every month, we don't have any money left to live on so we have to keep using the
card! We have no other resources. They have us and they know it. Maybe
we should default on our payments a few times and then they would stop sending us
"good customers" credit increases. Bottom line is that it is our own fault
for getting mixed up with credit cards but Providian is sure waiting in the wings for
their chance to monopolize on peoples' misfortune and need. Readers: don't sign
up if you haven't already. And if you have, try and get on top of it now
and get it paid off and closed before you get sucked down to where you are at their
mercy! What a bunch of corporate creeps!
(Note: You heard it here. "Readers: don't sign up if you haven't
already." Thanks, Julie.- MB)
From "a rudely awakened Yankee!!!!!!!!!!"
Greetings from the Great Northwest!
I started out this morning with a cup of coffee on a quest to figure out whether or not I
could pull up my Providian account over the internet. Well, well, well.........I keyed in
"Providian Visa" and hmmm.....there your website was....included with all the
"Providian" sites! Being a curious one, I went on it to see what it was all
about. Hitting me like a freight train is an understatement!!!!
I had NO IDEA WHATSOEVER that a class-action suit was even going on!!!!
Needless to say, my cup of coffee turned into four!!!! I read through ALL the letters in
your "complaint" department, and was rudely awakened! I owe you a BIG THANK YOU,
as I will quickly be destroying my card and closing my account!! I thought I was the only
one putting up with my complaints about service/billing, etc. Unfortunately, I haven't
heard about the lawsuit in the newspaper or on TV, as I haven't had much time for either
forms of media since obtaining a Visa from them. That'll teach me, huh?
After reading one of your letters (about someone getting their outrageous APR lowered), I
called them, just for kicks.....to see if they'd lower mine if I told them I was going to
close it. Well, guess what? They DID....all the way down to 16.99%. How
"generous" of them, huh? Hmmmm......maybe if they said 1.9% I'd change my mind.
Just kidding, of course!! :-)
Well, to cut a long story (somewhat) short....I also read thru your home/web page and just
HAD to e-mail and tell you that I think it's terrific! I'm 1/2 British, so.....needless to
say, I love the Churchill references. Who knows, maybe I'll go order a T-shirt! :-)
Well........I wish you luck in your quest to shut down Providian. You can happily add me
to your list of those who have been rudely awakened. I refuse to become another innocent
Yankee (yes, I am!) for them to slice and dice!!
All the best,
P.S.----Do you ever have time to respond to e-mails like mine?? :-)
(Note: I DO respond to every e-mail I get. After
all, you guys are my main weapon in this campaign. And anyone who considers my home page
"terrific" is obviously highly intelligent, erudite, and articulate. - MB)
From Kathy -
Thank you for creating your site on Providian Bank. I have excellent, though
maxed-out, credit. I received an offer for a 5.99% Fixed rate credit card from
Providian. I considered using it to transfer balances from some higher cards, but
decided to do some research on the web first.
Based on your site and a few others, I have ripped up the offer and am
considering myself lucky to have escaped a nasty experience I didn't need -- possibly
hurting my credit and landing me in more debt than before. If I had signed up with
Providian I bet I would have received a notice in 6 months or so that my 5.99%
"Fixed" rate was being raised to a usury 23%.
If anyone wants a recommendation on a credit card, I highly recommend USAA
Federal Savings Bank Mastercard. I have had it for years. They have a
competitive rate, and they have always been ethical in their dealings with me.
From Barb -
I was sure Providian had a lot of complaints, so I checked them out on the net. My
husband just recieved a pre-approved application, and I checked it out. They won't give
you the terms of the agreement before you sign up unless you request it in writing. Many
people foolishly sign these applications and send them out.
I was one of those people. I received a pre-approved application when they were
called First Deposit. Before the card came I was solicited by phone to receive the full
pre-approved amount of $5,000. I asked how much would the payments be and for how long? I
assumed it was a loan by their bank. He said $105.00 for 5 years. I received the check
before the credit card. I soon found out it was billed directly to my visa, with a $98.00
finance charge, making my 105.00 payment only a 7.00 reduction in my balance . I felt
cheated, but I had allready spent the check on dental work. I had this account for at
least 3 years and my balance was never going anywhere despite making double payments
occasionally. I missed a few payments here and there but always paid the late fee, and my
account was up to date when their lawyers contacted me demanding full payment of the
balance. I told them I was up to date , but the demanded I pay through them because of
previous late payments. I couldn't pay the balance so I had to agree to a judgement
agreement by first letting them sue me in civil court. My name was in the paper , along
with a whopping lawyers fee bringing the balance well above the 5,000 original amount they
financed.
So for 4 years I paid them all this money for nothing!!! Counting all the late fees
and double payments I sent them plus my account being up to date at the time!!!
When I spoke with their phone representatives, all but one treated me like I was a
deadbeat. An older woman with a spanish accent did treat me kindly, and was very
sympathetic to me. I could tell she hated her job!! (and the people she worked for).
From 'e' -
I recently quit Providian Financial (that's right, I was an employee).
I worked in one of the call centers and have seen first hand some of these
experiences. I wanted to let you have an "insider's" opinion. The last
thing I want to do is justify what you or anyone else has experienced at Providian.
Basically, most of what I've seen is people who were having problems with their
accounts. But there are satisfied customers, too. How they can be satisfied
with 23.99%, a $59 annual fee, and $500 credit limit is beyond me! Honestly, I don't
know much about what goes on in the executive office or the validity of the company.
But all the publicity and questions about their
integrity has helped out a lot of people, I know that. I just wanted to let you know
that people like you have helped out. I actually heard
a co-worker talk about your site and that's what drew me to it. If people keep
persisting, Providian might actually be an ok card to have! Maybe (I still would never get
one, though). One thing people need to realize is, if they have a problem that they
want resolved now, or they are unhappy with the service, ask to speak with a
manager. Or it that doesn't work, call the executve office. Since the news has
publicized them, they are reversing erroneous fees from the past, they will do much more
to resolve issues and they are much more efficient with payments and don't post as many
fees. That doesn't mean they are not still greedy, however. Just don't put up
with their shit. Threats and persistency go a long way. Anway, good luck to
those who are battling.
I hope I don't sound like I'm justifying anything they've done. I hated
working there. But I do know all credit cards suck. I've had nothing but
trouble with my Capitol One credit card. I say use cash. By the way,
they now ask if they've satisfied you at the end of every call.
Pretty pathetic, huh.
(Note: Hooray for grass roots action. It's
amazing what an aroused citizenry can accomplish. I hope the critics of this site pause
and re-read this letter. - MB)
From Carol -
I am so glad to have found your site. It helps to know that I am not the only
sucker around. I hope they get what they deserve.
From "eroy" -
I wish to thank you for the information that you have posted
regarding the Providian company. I have had a credit card account with them for several
years, however I had not used the card for a long time. Then one evening around suppertime
I recieved a call from them asking that I transfer a balance to them, any amount above
$200 and I would recieve this great rate of 4.9%, plus I would also get a rate of 7.99% on
any purchases after I had transferred the money to them. Well this sounded like a great
deal, and I did transfer about $300, and since there were things I wished to purchase I
also took advantage of the low purchase interest. I since then was surfing the web and
noticed several complaints against this company. One was of them selling credit protection
without customer approval. So I examined my last statement, and sure enough I found that I
was being charged for credit protection that I had not asked for. I called the company and
they did agree to remove the credit protection, however they first offered to sell the
protection at a lower rate. I stood firm and told them to remove the protection, wich they
reluctantly did. It is odd the charge for the protection was higher than the charge for
the interest. I do plan to transfer my entire balance with Providian to another company.
Again thank you for the information, In the future when one of these companies calls me
begging for their business, I will politely hang up the phone.
Thank you
From Michaela -
... I recently filed bankruptcy, but was very careful in rebuilding my credit. I
received an offer from FCNB and was approved. I carefully checked them out before
responding, and accepted the card. Yes, the APR is 20.50% but if you don't run up your
card to it's limit, you can buy small things(no more than $50)and pay them rather quickly.
I tore up Providian's offers after reading several disturbing postings about them on the
net. I never responded to their offers, it seems that once you acknowledge them either on
the phone or thru mail, they sink their clutches into you. For all of you who have made
the mistake of dealing with Providian--it's not your fault!! You only wanted to rebuild
your credit--I understand. Try going thru your local bank for a secured card to rebuild
credit, and again, I mention FCNB--First Consumers National Bank. They have been very
nice---I have had no problems with them, and they checked out as being reputable with no
complaints. I am sickened by what Providian is doing--this is criminal and should be
stopped TODAY!! Aren't the complaints numerous enough to proceed to court yet? I had never
heard of this company before six months ago when I began to receive their offers, and then
I researched them, as I always do before sending money to anyone. I shuddered with relief
that I didn't just send in for their card blindly.
I had excellent credit before being laid off of my job, and had to file bankruptcy.
I have since learned to keep credit cards at arms length. They are OK to have, but please,
keep them LOW on balances. Your credit will build whether you have a $5 balance or a $5000
balance as long as you pay it on time. And research all offers with the Better Business
Bureau. God Bless, hang in there, and pay Providian as quickly as you can and close the
account.
Thanks,
(Note: I edited out some very effusive praise for
this site. I prefer to bask alone in the glow. But Michaela offers some very good advice, and I
thank her for that.- MB)
From Dawn -
I cancelled my card in April and paid the balance in full. Every month since then I
have received a $29 late fee! When I ignore the bill, the next month I get a late fee on
the unpaid late fee!!!
When I first applied, they nailed me with a $7.95 monthly "credit
protection" charge that I did not authorize and wouldn't remove it until I said
"cancel the card. Right now."
Their payment due dates are IMPOSSIBLE to meet---I have received due dates that are
less than 10 days after I received the bill! I have paid bills on the day I received the
statement and STILL gotten a late fee! In fact, I have gotten a late fee on almost every
statement I have received, no matter WHEN I made my payment!
I called today about yet ANOTHER late fee (on a card that has been paid in full
since April or May!) and was informed that my last payment was on August 23, and it was
due August 17th---on a card that has been paid in full for 6 months! They are charging me
late fees on my late fees on a paid-up account! I told the woman that if she would check
my account, she would discover that all I have been paying for the past six months are
late charges, and I refused to pay another cent. I told her to remove the charge from my
account immediately and she said she would "look into it." ????? Look into
what?? The account is paid up---has been for months! What is there to look into? Late fees
on late fees on a $0 balance?
I am going to try to join the class-action suit. They have hundreds of ill-gotten
dollars that belong to me and I want them back---with interest.
(Note: I've been told that Providian is trying to
present a "kinder, gentler" face. Looks like I was misinformed. - MB)
I answer all my e-mail, so after responding to Dawn
I got the following update.
Well, I thought I had killed the account in April when I cancelled it. The idiot
Customer Disservice rep turned me over to a supervisor as soon as I said that I wanted to
cancel the account, and the supervisor asked me why I wanted to close it. (I had just
received a bill for a late charge that I KNEW was bogus and I was pissed.) I told her that
I had other credit cards with MUCH larger credit lines, MUCH lower interest rates, MUCH
smaller late fees, and a reasonable time between the issuance of the statement and the due
date. I got this rude, curt, tight-lipped "your account is cancelled as of now"
from her and she hung up on me!!
You know, I never charged much on that card---a few hundred dollars at best---and I
think I paid more in "late charges" than for legitimate charges and interest.
The person I spoke with today said my most recent late charge was reversed as of today and
that my next statement should be for $0, and after that I should get no more statements.
So, when statement time rolls around again, I'll look for that $0 balance. If it's
not there, I'll let you know. And thanks for that website---it's killer!!
(Note: I'd better watch it. A few more compliments
like that and I'm gonna start selling my autograph. - MB)
From Jeff -
Boy, I have to check my statement when I get home tonight, this is big stuff.
I am so glad I haven't taken them up on their offer to pay off my other bills. Every
time I get a call from them, get the distinct feeling I am being hustled, for once my
instincts were right. Thank you for exposing these leeches.
© 1998 - 2002 Michael
Baram