Posted by kcg on 8/10/07 4:35pm
Msg #204971

OT - A New Twist

I found this article very interesting - it is about taking a HELOC and turning it into credit card debt!




http://finance.comcast.net/personalfinance/view.html?x=debt/advice/goodcredit

Reply by Blueink_CA on 8/10/07 5:39pm
Msg #204981

Re: OT - A New Twist -I did this

Last year I received an offer to transfer any balances to a credit card with zero percent interest for the life of the balance transfer (and no transfer fee). Wow, I jumped on that and transferred $5,000 of debt. After 8 months, I was called and solicited for a new card with a 3.99% interest rate (for a year) which would include my current balance. Why would I want to do that when I'm not paying any interest now?

Well, they explained that THAT program has changed, and to continue to receive the zero percent, I would need to make two purchases a month, never be late, not go over limit and pay 8.99% interest on all new charges. Also, any payments would be applied to the original transfers before the new charges.

The next month I did not receive a bill, nor did I notice until I received the following month's bill with late charge, over the limit charge ( the late charge put me over the limit) plus interest charged on the full amount. I was livid. I called and insinuated that they had purposely NOT sent the bill. They assured me that they would never do anything like that intentionally and gave me a one time 'forgiveness', (took all charges off) That's when I learned to play the game.

I had netflex (9.99) and my gym (19.99) auto bill this card. (my two charges per month).

I set up auto pay through my bank for my monthly payment, always on time.

This credit card company hates me.

Reply by ML/PA on 8/10/07 5:56pm
Msg #204983

Re: OT - A New Twist -I did this

It wasn't Chase was it? They pulled a fast one on my daughter similar to what happened to you. She had to file a complaint with the AG office and other agencies for them to realize she was serious and then they admitted their mistake, reversed all charges, fees and returned her rate to the original. She was so disgusted she paid them off. I was doing a closing and the borrower was complaining about something that sounded the same, I asked him if it was Chase and he surprisingly said "yes". I thought that was odd.

Reply by sanjqnvly on 8/10/07 5:57pm
Msg #204985

Re: OT - A New Twist -I did this

Same thing happened to me, did NOT receive one statement and then interest rate jumped to double what I was promised at the end of 0% period!

Reply by Dlars_FL on 8/10/07 9:35pm
Msg #205016

OT - Be Sure To Cancel Your Credit Cards Before You Die

Be sure to cancel your credit cards before you die. This is so priceless, and so so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today.


A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00, now somewhere around $60.00.

A family member placed a call to Citibank. Here is the exchange:


Family Member: "I am calling to tell you she died in January."

Citibank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply."

Family Member: "Maybe, you should turn it over to collections."

Citibank: "Since it is two months past due, it already has been."

Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?"

Citibank: "Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!"

Family Member: "Do you think God will be mad at her?"

(I really like this part!)

Citibank: "Excuse me?"

Family Member: "Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?"

Citibank: "Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor." (Duh!)

Supervisor gets on the phone:

Family Member: "I'm calling to tell you, she died in January."

Citibank: "The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply."(This must be a phrase taught by the bank!)

Family Member: "You mean you want to collect from her estate?"

CitibankStammer) "Are you her lawyer?"

Family Member: "No, I'm her great nephew." (Lawyer info given)

Citibank: "Could you fax us a certificate of death?"

Family Member: "Sure." (Fax number is given)

After they get the fax:

Citibank: "Our system just isn't setup for death. I don't know what more I can do to help."

Family Member: "Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. I don't think she will care."

Citibank: "Well, the late fees and charges do still apply." (What is wrong with these people?!?)

Family Member: "Would you like her new billing address?"

Citibank: "That might help."

Family Member: "Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, PlotNumber 69."

Citibank: "Sir, that's a cemetery!"

Family Member: "What do you do with dead people on your planet?

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 8/10/07 9:51pm
Msg #205020

Re: OT - Be Sure To Cancel Your Credit Cards Before You Die

This reminds me of when my father in law passed away several years ago.
I called the Navy base where he had an appointment the week after he passed away. I let the guy that answered the phone in appointments know that my father in law had passed away, so he needed to take his appointment off the schedule. He asked if I wanted to reschedule the appointment for him! I couldn't believe it! I had to explain again that my father in law was dead.

Reply by dickb/wi on 8/12/07 2:43pm
Msg #205173

don'y you really wonder ......

what ever happened to common sense...........are we raising a nation of morons?.....or is it just corporate level thinking?..........

Reply by Charles_Ca on 8/11/07 5:29pm
Msg #205090

Love the story, LOL, where do they get these....

people, they must be NNA's NSA rejects. I've often wondered if anyone actually fails the notary examination. This person at Citibank sounds like they would bre a prime candidate for failing if ever there was one.