Capital One Scam

[marjorie]

Re: Capital One Scam

I have certainly had credit problems in the past, but for me a kicker was when my interest charge on Capital One changed abruptly when I ws out of town burying my sister. When I called asking to see if the change could be reversed, I was told it wasn't their fault; they didn't kill her.

[neatdesign]

Re: Capital One Scam

Marjorie, that kind of comment is not only disgusting and inexcusable, but it's also part of the reason that CSRs get such a bad rap. When I worked the phones at CapOne, I would NEVER have said something like that to someone. (Well, I'd never say anything like that, period.) And none of the people I worked with would have said something like that, either.

I'm certainly not saying someone DIDN'T say that to you -- I know there are reps who are arseholes like that -- just that it's not the norm, and it is unfortunate that that person was allowed to get away with saying it. Those are the times when you hope the call is being recorded. I hope it was in that instance and that the person was fired promptly. That's just horrible, horrible...

~ Jenney

[rooskers]

Re: Capital One Scam

I don't know about CO but I love credit cards. So far my Citibank has given me an interest free loan for my wedding costs (promotional 0% interest for year), and I have earned over $600 in cashback from them. The trick is to use the credit card companies and not let them use you. If this is not possible you shouldn't have a credit card. As far as the CO employee giving us the reasons for why CO does what it does thanks but as a customer I don't want to hear the B.S. excuses you give me for horrendous customer service. As a operator you might not be in charge of the decisions made by the executive but I don't really care that if I send my payment priority to the address they have preprinted that it then has to go someplace else. That is CO problem not mine and if they charge me a late fee fine I cancel and go with a different company that wants to work with me. Nothing personal just business. See some companies forget that the customer is the one who pays their paycheck. The person who was told "we didn't kill the person" I would definitely write a letter to the corporate office about that one because that person should be fired but that most likely isn't representitive of most of CO employees.

[tabbycat31]

Re: Capital One Scam

I take it you have never worked customer service for a large company. The customer service reps are the very bottom of the totem pole and have little control about what they can say.

[poundwise]

Re: Capital One Scam

I take it you have never worked customer service for a large company. The customer service reps are the very bottom of the totem pole and have little control about what they can say.

They can control whether or not they act like jack-asses though.

[rooskers]

Re: Capital One Scam

I meant no offense to Jenney my rant was really meant for the companies policies or actions not to Jenney herself I guess I worded it wrong sorry.
It is hard to give the right tone to a reply and my rant was against companies not against her I thank her for her insight and helpful hints on how to get around some of the problems. My point is though what she wrote gives an example of what is wrong with companies. You can get an American rep. only if you know the secret on how to get one, you can make express payments only if you know to ask for the special address, you can waive the $4 membership fee only if you send in the optout *which some of these inserts are sometimes suspiciously missing* Unfortunely the customer service reps have to take the heat for policies like this.
Again I apologize to Jenney if I offended her that was certainly not my intention.

[PRICEPLUS]

Re: Capital One Scam

Nitro Glycerin is= safe when used properly but if not it goes boom. CC companies want to reel you in, get you hooked, and have you pay for as long as possible. Yes, it is true that many use CCs carefully but I dare say there are more who do not.

I am still of the opinion that it is better not to use CCs if you can help it. Save up for what you want.

[tener]

Re: Capital One Scam

Recently I decided to take advantage of a Lowes Capital One card. big mistake ! When I went to make my first payment I tried to register online at the capital one website I was told that my account was not supported and I wouldnt be able to make online payments, so i called their 800 number and found out if I wanted to make a payment over the phone it would cost me a $10 fee to make my min $10 payment. I asked if I could take a payment into my local Lowes store and of course that wasnt an option either. by this time I was to late to make a payment by mail so I paid my fee in protest.

seems you had the worst experience imaginable.... why would you pay a $10 fee to use the phone service? how do they justify that?

[Westchaser]

Screwed by Capital One - July 2010

I have been a Capital One cardholder for 10 years. In Feb 2010, I received a letter from them stating my "Introductory" APR expired. The net result was my rate immediately changed from a steady (for numerous years) 4.95% to 15.9%. After reading that letter, I immediately called their customer service line to ask (1) why since I have never exceeded by limit nor made a late payment and (2) what options did I have to get my rate back to what it was or at least lower. I was told (quote) "We understand your frustration but apologize as there's nothing we can do at this time to lower your APR. Please call back next month to see if it's possible at that time to reduce your rate. In the meantime, I'll notate your account that you called to inquire about lowering your rate." Since Feb 2010, I called each month with the same question and was literally given the exact same (scripted) reply. In the meantime, my monthly minimum payment more than doubled to Capital One. I've struggled but paid each one and did so on time. July 2010, after six months of struggling and calling Capital One, I called again with the same question and was told by "Seth" that I could "OPT-OUT of the NEW terms" that caused my APR to jump. I immediately reacted, informing him that I've been asking this question for six months .. why only now was I offered this wonderful news? His answer: "We are DISCOURAGED from telling customers about the opt-out option which also places your account in RESTRICTED status." I asked what "restricted status" meant and he clarified that "the card could NO LONGER BE USED for purchases BUT would reinstate your original APR of 4.95%." I nearly shouted "PERFECT!" when he told me this news. He said he would need to transfer me to a "senior account specialist" to complete my OPT-OUT request. I waited approx 5 minutes and another gentlemen took over the call. He was quick to tell me: "You've unfortunately MISSED the window of opportunity to OPT-OUT of the new terms and, therefore, you are STUCK (he actually said STUCK) with the new APR of 15.9%" WTF? I was LIVID. I told him how I've called for six consecutive months asking how I can get my old APR of 4.95% back but was told to call back .. and that my inquiry would be noted on my account. He proceeded to tell me "I'm sorry but there's no record of you ever calling - to ask about your APR or any other reason". If I could have jumped through the phone to strangle someone at Capital One .. I would have. I told him this is a SCAM and that I would be blogging this online on as many websites as I could locate. He said (quote) "I would do the same if I was in your situation". Either way, Capital One are running a DIRTY business of lending. Just google "CAPITAL ONE SCREWED" and you'll find a ton of posts like mine. I wish I could dump this account but, unfortunately, I'll be stuck paying off the balance well into the foreseeable future.

I have since submitted a complaint at: www(dot)occ(dot)treas(dot)gov(slash)customer(dot)h tm