I Hate Providian Financial.
Page 6......after nearly a year's hiatus, and a new ISP, I got new e-mail.
From Mike -
Regarding Providian............. they are so bad it's unbelievable.
I have a Visa Gold from Providian. There was originally a $1000 "pledged" savings account because seven years ago I was financially challenged and I needed the card. Since that time my credit has become excellent and I requested the withdrawal of this original savings account of $1000.00. Providian said no problem and that I would have the check within 7 to 10 days. That original call was on 7-4-01. It's now August 2 and still no check.
They are now "researching" the check prior to stop payment on it to make sure no one has cashed it (certainly not me).
Researching will take, guess what....7 to 10 days.
It's amazing that not one monthly statement in 7 years from Providian ever missed getting to my mail box, but this check representing MY money gets lost in the mail ! I do not believe they ever sent the check in the first place.
The worst part is that every time I call them, I get a new story about when I'm going to get my money.
Bottom line.....Providian is BAD news and I consider them the enemy at this point.
From Jennifer -
i was reading through your statements and responses about Providian and I have one thing to say.. If you people would pay your bills on time and not always max out your cards and go over limit every day, you wouldn't have these problems. Don'e blame Providian just beacause you were late in paying YOUR BILLS and messed up your own credit. Providian shouldn't have to baby its customers because they don't know how to manage credit!! Also, if you were a credit savy consumer and knew how to handle money you could get better interest rates. Prividian has a very good platnuim market with extramly low interest rates and no fees. So don't be mad because Providian is calling you 5 days after you are late even if it is only for $15. You are late on your payment and that is that. Learn how to pay your bills on time with good checks and you won't have to worry about late fees or high interest rates.
(Note: Notice the typos. "Platnium"? Anyway, I answered
Jennifer, explaining that if she had read the e-mails carefully, she'd notice I
was not overextended, nor had I missed payments, and that most of the
contributors got shafted by Providian through no fault of their own. Also, Providian's CEO was forced to resign, and their stock price is at rock bottom.
Here's her response.
- MB)
i know exactly what is going on with providian. i know more about the stocks and ceo sitution than you think. yes, i am concerned but not for the reasons you may think. the reason i wrote to you the first time is simply beacause of the statements that i read i knew for a fact that some are wrong because i know what is really going on. to be honest with you, i don't have a card with providian but i would if i could.
(Note: Ah, Jennifer, thou art a true believer. Providian should be proud to have a customer such as yourself, but, as you've admitted, you don't have their card. Res ipse loquitor. However, it's good to see your continued use of the lower case 'i'. You must be a fan of e.e. cummings. - MB)
From Pam J. -
Providian no more......
I received a notice today 12/29/01 from Providian that they will be raising
my APR from 24 to 29% starting 2/02. AND if I miss two payments it will go
to 31%. I also joined in on the lawsuit and wonder if that had anything to
do with this? They also raised the late fees to 35.00 based on my balance.
I hate to say this, but this is my fault and I should never have been in a
place to have to deal with such loan sharks. Luckily, I can pay them off
at this point (not so before) and I am done with them. We all need to rid
ourselves of Providian, Capitol one, Aria, FNB and Americredit.
From Sandra -
Love your website! : ) I had the most retarded "conversation" with Providian yesterday. No sense posting as it was so ridiculous it would truly defy belief. I was on the line with Providian along with an advocate on our behalf who was well versed in rules pertaining to the fair credit act. The whole time I'm thinking, "If this is being recorded (as you have to expect it would be) it could constitute some of the most damning evidence against the illegal activities of Providian Bank and yet this woman is shameless!" They don't want to credit charges that we dispute because they "don't have to" and because they "have a policy." Yiminey!
Know of any current class actions suits against Providian? - {Please?}. By the way, I'll send your site to the nice man who assisted us yesterday who will, no doubt, enjoy it. Thanks! : )
From Michael -
In late 98 I was hung up on by a "customer service person" at
Providian just
after she announced she was canceling my account. I was calling to
complain about the interest changes and their idea of, receiving a payment
and posting it. One of their staff casually mentioned they were behind in
posting and payments and were out as much as 5 days for posting after the
payment had been received. I learned the regulation is three days and
realized what it cost me for them to post late and they would have no
incentive to post promptly.
since that time they have "sold" my account to Asset Acceptance
Corporation,
P.O. BOX 2036 Warren, MI 48090-2036, a collection company. I am sure this is a method of isolating accounts/funds from the class
action.
My file of correspondence to them is about 2 inches thick.
(Note: As mentioned previously, one customer sent her payment via registered mail, and had a receipt to prove that the payment arrived on time. But, why should the customer be forced to bear this added expense? - MB)
From Jenny
(not to be confused with the "Jennifer" listed above) -You know Providian just shut down their Las Vegas site, over 700 employees. Anything you want to know? Let's just say we are none too happy with this company. I worked in the email department and during the last couple of weeks, if a customer asked for a fee reversal -- what do you know? They got it without a need for an explanation!
(Note: I e-mailed Jenny back, thanking her for her input. I received the following from her.-MB)
While we were biding our time, we
heard all sorts of rumors, including information from news web sources, which
included information such as the ex-CEO (Mr. Mehta) is under investigation
including charges for insider trading, etc. Here's some advice for any
credit card holder, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you have any grievance,
keep asking for a supervisor and demand to close you account. You'd be
surprised what you get, especially if you are a fairly decent customer.
All credit card companies are evil. Do not apply for credit unless you
absolutely need it.
From Nitza -
I read all the posts and I'll just say that: me too!!! The only boo boo on my credit reports is Providian and its Visa Classic. This happened some years ago but it will remain on my file for three years more. Can you believe it? A lousy credit line of $500 that became a nightmare with an annual fee that will go over my credit line + charges for going over the credit line + pluses and pluses. All these mess in the middle of my hardest time: single mom, little kids, etc. Today the kids are at school, Mom has a nice job and nicer credit cards. But every time I hear the P word my stomach gets upset. Anyhow, is nice to know that I'm not the only one wishing them to go out of business!!
From Karen -
I was one ,of many, who was affected
by Providian.......I was wondering if I could be informed of the outcome of the
case..I had also heard that there is an independent company who states that they
have bought out Providian's customers claiming that they are to recuperate the
money and that they will be in charge of receiving the owed finances for all
their customers..is this true? I am hoping that you might have some insight on
this one..And how can someone find out exactly how much they are really expected
to pay Providian (if still have a debt with them ) I apologize the bother ..but
I am curious..
Thanks
Karen sent an additional message after I responded:
I have one comment for your
feedback...
"I would rather deal with a LOAN SHARK!
At least a LOAN SHARK is more
honest than PROVIDIAN."
From Ken -
yea i closed my account some years ago after only owing Providian
F**kncial $70 odd dollars and received a final bill for $917.00 which i
now see is small in comparison to others the thing now is Providian
F**kncial wrote me a letter saying if i paid them half the amount they
would call it even well i did not pay them a cent later a collection
agency started calling soon after i checked my credit report and
Providian F**kncial has charged my account as a tax write off
question: are they still allowed to keep this unjust debt to my credit
report!? continue to keep PRESSURE on their lying tails (tales) thanks.
(Note: Just when I think I've heard everything I find that there are more surprises in Providian's bag of tricks. - MB)
From Schola -
Thanks for sharing your views about the great corporate rip off - Providian. I have been their customer since 1998 and twice was refunded money I didn't even know they had ripped off my account. The class suits were a result of San Francisco Attorney General's office investigation into the practices of Providian. I hope more people will log onto your site so we can all stop keeping them in business. I have just closed my account and happy with other credit card companies. Can't wait to see them filing for bankruptcy!
From Franklin -
I'VE HAD AN ACCOUNT FOR TWO YEAR[S]. I AM NOT PLEASED WITH THE SERVICE. I AM CURRENTLY PAYING 27% EACH MONTH. NO EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN ONCE I CONTACT[ED]
CUSTOMER [SUPPORT]. I ALSO SENT A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT. I NEVER RECEIVE[D] ANY INFORMATION. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I AM NOT HAPPY AT ALL.(Note: Franklin's comments have been edited for grammar and spelling. Nothing was deleted. - MB)
From XxAviendaxX -
If your credit didn't suck , then you wouldn't have that low credit line, You act like you were owed that money. HEY!!!!! It wasn't yours you BORROWED it from someone. You signed a contract stating you would pay it back on PROVIDIANS TERMS (same company that GAVE you money that wasn't your's) You weren't owed anything and if you could read then maybe you wouldn't be so pissed off. I hate listening to people like you all day who don't READ the contract they sign. THEY JUST WANT MONEY. They know the terms and agreements exist and they know they are subject to enforcement. But what happens when the customer fails to adhere???????THEY make a huge website devoted to hating the people they took money from. They act shocked when the rules are enforced. I spend 8 hours a day walking grown people through contracts like they were 5 year old children and I for one am tired. If you dont want to borrow money, MAKE IT FOR YOURSELVES!!!!! YOU AREN"T OWED
(Note: Yep, that's the name on his e-mail address. He didn't sign it. But we common folks know what the real story is, don't we? - MB)
From Don -
I'm in Arizona and am having problems too, I realize this was a few years ago, but there Baaccckkkk. What did it take to file a class action suit? Love to start another one, these people wont quit. Any advice or help would be great, and thanks, I found your site in my search for the class action, very informative.
From "Barbara" -
I have just canceled my Providian Visa after finding
that I was charged $24 and some odd cents as a finance charge on my balance before
I even received the bill. Then come to find out, finance charges are
still accruing until they receive my payment in full. What type of racket
is this?
I found your site while looking up Providian to see if I could pay my balance
from my checking account online (since they wanted to charge me $9.50 to pay my
bill over the phone) and was wow'd with all the information people such as
myself have experienced with this company.
Keep up the fight.
From KGP -
Hello,
You are absolutely right. Every word is so true. I too, was a sucker for Providian. They give you your first credit approval. I also feel that for some reason other banks collaborate with them also. Why! No other institution will offer you a credit card unless you have been through Providian. At least that's what I think. When I first tried to establish my credit no one will offer me a card until they say let send this sucker to providian first and if she can survive then I'll take her later on. I survived for 3 years with a 24.99% interest rate and every time there's an increase I have to pay for it, whether $79 for $1000.00 increase or $59.00 for $500.00 increase. They called them selves a secured credit card company. I was never late for a payment. They would never drop the interest rate. Until one day I called and cancel and the rep told me that if I know I was qualified for a lower interest rate of 19.99% and I told her to do better than that. She said ok I'll give you 16.99%. I told her to go ahead and close it anyway.
I have already paid my dues to them and it is over now. Thank God.
(signed)
Preferred customer :-) (not anymore)
From Gloria -
I am so glad I found your website. Misery loves company. Now that I have run up one of my Providian cards to $6000. and another to $1400, they have seen fit to increase my interest rate to 29.99%. I told them I know loan sharks with better interest rates. They would not decrease my interest. How can they do this???? I am trying to find a legitimate card that I can transfer my balances to so I can get out from under this oppressive and abusive interest rate. Mind you, I paid more than the minimum on time every month. I don't know what their problem is.
(Note: I know what their problem is. Ever see a school of sharks in a feeding frenzy? - MB)
| Next page. |
© 1998 - 2002 Michael Baram