I wanna break something…

[MindPilot]

…every time I have to deal with a credit card company.

I sent my online payment for my Unocal card as I have done every month for 20 years, or at least since I’ve been doing online banking. (Actually I don’t use the card much these days; I try to patronize my local independent dealer as much as possible.)

Well they up and changed the account number so the electronic check sailed off in the ether. The payment is nowhere close to 30 days late and we’re talking a balance of less than thirty bucks, but you’d think I just stiffed Tony Soprano. They have cut off my “account privileges” and jacked my APR to—I’m not making this up—86.98%! :wtf:

The bank is totally cool, even though it’s not their fault, they re-issued a new payment with the correct number and offered to call the card company to waive any late fees or finance charges. All I had to do was give the card company authorization to discuss my account with the bank.

After a good half-hour on phone, I discover I have to do that in writing; “to protect them from fraud.” Huh? They’re planning on ganking me for interest rates that would make the most hardened knee-cap-busting loan shark blush, and they need to be protected from fraud?! :grr:

I called the bank back and told the guy the story, he laughed and said “dude, the payment will be there tomorrow…”

I need a drink! :beer:

[Floogeldy]

1. Do what I did

I ran up debt and just didn't pay it. Now I never use credit cards.

I got to them before they got to me.

Yea, I've got a bad credit record but I don't care.

B-)

[Spinzonner]

2. Monitor your credit reports for negative information and then challenge

anything reported by Unocal. Make sure you have notes/records of the efforts you made to resolve it.

Then cancel the card/account.

[WildClarySage]

3. HOLY CRAP!!!!

86.98%??? is that even legal???

[Mugweed]

4. Break into song....

and don't have gasoline credit cards.

[Wcross]

5. Break the card.

Pay it off and cancel the account.