I was transfered to this company (Aspire) when Nextcard went out of business. This took place early last year while I was in the process of finishing graduate school. I had minimum time and meager funds at this point, so I really didn't think much about being transferred to another credit card company, even if it was one I knew nothing about.
I moved after I got a job and called to change my account address. I wasn't even aware that I was not receiving bills until about two months after moving I recieved a phone call from them asking why I had not payed the last two bills. I was slightly annoyed to find out that they for some reason the address I gave them had never been changed. Rather than get upset however, I decided just to I pay off in full the amount owed so I could cancel my account. This all took place in a phone call last summer.
Following this, I recieved in the mail a bill for $40.00
Apparently, a $5.00 was charged for "phone payment" on what they assured me was my final payment. This was followed by a $35.00 late fee. There was never any mention of a charge for phone payment. If there had been I would have just payed it just to free myself from Aspire Visa. They did manage to change my address at this point, coincidentally.
I have now called Aspire Visa 4 times in total, each time in an effort to resolve the same issue. Each time the employee I spoke with apologized and assured me that all fees had been cancelled and that my account was closed and this issue was finally settled, not to worry.
The last bill I recieved was for $107.28 due to late fees and interest that has been tacked on since the original $5.00 charge last year. To make things even worse, this company has now ruined my credit.
I don't know what a reasonable person must do to get out of this seemingly inescapeable mess.
Companies like Aspire Visa continue to take advantage of the unsuspecting. This reprehensible behvior has the potential to severely damage lives, especially of those in the lower income bracket. These people have little recourse in such situations, which is probably why they were lured in to begin with.
Luckily, I had the warewithall to record my last phone conversation with them. Armed with this and the bills they have sent, my next step is to consult with my lawyer.
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