As I was paying my bills today, I pulled up my Aspire Visa account online. As I thought, I had made no purchases using the card. I noticed that the online statement showed my "available credit" was 0. I called the customer service department and was told that my card was discontinued because I had gone over my limit. I told the lady that she was mistaken, I had never gone over the limit. She dug deeper and then told me that I had failed to make a payment... Months ago. The payment I missed was a $4.95 charge that was placed there by Aspire Visa because I used their online services to make a payment. Having not used the card, and having no previous balance, I assumed that no payment was due.
My mistake, I should have checked the account EVERY month, regardless of weather I used it or not. I have used the card for several months since then and have paid my card in full (as I always do to avoid paying finance charges), on time without ever going over the limit. I never received any notice by mail or by e-mail that there was a problem with my account. I couldn't understand the lady I was speaking to on the phone and she was having a hard time communicating with me so, I ask to speak with a supervisor. I explained to him, that I had been a good customer and that I didn't agree with Aspire canceling my card.
After unsuccessfully trying to communicate with Peter, the supervisor, I asked for the number to the corporate office. Peter told me that there was no number. I asked for the address and all he could tell me was that it was in Atlanta Georgia. I asked where his office was located and he said INDIA!!! Are you freaking kidding me? India? How on God's green earth can you give your customers good "Customer Service" when the customer service department is on another continent? No wonder I couldn't understand them... No wonder they couldn't help me.
So I have come to the conclusion that Aspire Visa is a company in trouble and will most likely go out of business like a lot of other banking/financial institutions. I assume that they weren't making any money off of me on finance charges so I was nothing more than an expense to them. They obviously don't want "good customers" they want you to stay behind and pay finance charges and late fees. That is how they make their money.
My feelings aren't hurt that I was canceled... We could all do with one less credit card now days. The problem that I have is that now, my credit report will show that the account was closed by Aspire and not by me! What can I do to protect my credit from this scam?
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