Maybe about 2 years ago, I was just happy to have an application accepted for a Paypal Visa Card. I was a spend happy college student (still a student, but have learned a bit of a lesson), and maxed out the card.
My father passed away in May. With the money I recieved from the worst time in my life, I paid off every single credit card I had, and closed the accounts.
Providian (Paypal Visa) was around $756. I made the payment online, from my fleet checking account, called up Providian to close my account, and was hung up on 15 times when being transfered to the "close your account" department.
5 days later, the payment seemed to be credited to the Providian account, however, it hadn't been credited from fleet checking. So, as I usually do about once a week, I checked my Bank of America checking account balance (I really don't utilize that account very often). $-756. I had deleted that account from my online profile MONTHS ago.
"Oh Shit..." I muttered. I immediately drove down to the local Bank of America branch, and put $840 into the account to cover the overdraft. Still was charged a $35 overdraft fee ("it's not our fault, it's Providian's, take it up with them).
I called up Providian to complain, and naturally, I reached the land of goats and curry.
"Sir, you must have paid from that account. The only way we can process anything from a bank account is if you specify which account you want the payment taken from".
"I did, the ONLY one listed on the page."
"Well, the payment has been processed, there is nothing we can do from here."
"Typical, close my account, now."
She kept me on the line (I didn't get her name, I was too frustrated) for about 10 minutes, trying to tell me ALL of the great features that Providian had to offer, and why I shouldn't close the account. I cut her off literally about 15 times saying "Close the account, I don't care". Finally, I screamed "CLOSE THE GOD DAMNED ACCOUNT, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!?"
That was it, I thought I was free of Providian.
I had been checking the Providian balance and the Bank of America balance everyday to make sure I wasn't going to get screwed, after all the horror stories I've read about them on here. Lo and behold, there's a $35 "NSF" fee on the Providian account, and yet it claims the payment has still posted.
Then, I checked Bank Of America today, and saw "RETURN OF POSTED CHECK / ITEM (RECEIVED ON 09-03) ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION $796.02"
This is after I was assured that my payment was over and done with.
Then, I got this email from Providian:
You recently scheduled an online payment for your Visa (R) account, however, the checking account information we have on record for you seems to be incorrect. Having accurate account information is necessary for us to process a payment request. Please:
1. Access your account at www.ProvidianOnline.com
2. Visit the Customer Service section to view a message with additional details regarding this payment problem
3. Visit the Pay My Bill section to give us your correct payment account information
4. Schedule a new payment.
Sincerely,
Providian Customer Service
Needless to say, I was quite pissed off at this point. So, I made the fruitless call to Providian, which of course, was terminated while connecting me to the "correct department".
I've absolutely had it. I want my balance gone, this card paid off, and the fees taken off. I've already filed a report with the better business bureau, but I want it recorded for all to see just EXACTLY what these bastards have done to me.
Credit cards just aren't worth it, especially ones from Providian. AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS.
Joshua
Columbia, South Carolina
U.S.A.
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