When I opened my Chase credit card bill this month, I was appalled. They raised my purchase rate from 8.99 to 29.99%! Not that many months ago they offered me a 4.99% promotional rate, until it is paid off, and I've never been late on a payment and usually pay more than the minimum. So, how can this magnitude of change happen?
I called to inquire and was told that a notice went out telling me of the pending change and that I had a certain time period in which to "opt out, " and close my account for further charges. Had I seen such a notice I would have gladly closed the account. They proceeded to indicate all they could do was check to see if my notice had been returned in the mail.in other words, if I had received it, not matter how common and junk mail-like it may have looked, I was out of luck, my opt out period had passed.
I called again furious that they could get away with a rate hike like this one. I got the same song and dance, but asked for a supervisor OR the President of the COMPANY! I talked to a supervisor and after complaining and indicating how unfair, sneaky, low down and dirty this hike was, she extended the original offer to me — close the account and they would revert the APR to the old rate of 8.99 until it was paid off. Great, fine with me, I don't want to do business with rip off artists like this anyway.
My perseverance and complaints did pay off. I do think though that an investigation needs to be started and perhaps a lawsuit questioning the legality, not to mention ethical, acts of this company. No doubt, others will end up paying this outrageous rate, which could cost thousands of dollars and certainly further jeopardize ones financial situation.
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