I, too, got a nice letter from Aspire informing me that they are "regretfully are discontinuing my Aspire Visa program". After reading it, I called Aspire's phone number listed on the letter. The first person I spoke to asked me to verify the credit card number & last 4 numbers of my social sec #, which I did. I asked for the balance & was told it was $170.00.
At that point I requested they apply the secured amount ($500.00 I used to open the account) against the balance. She said she couldn't do that & transferred me to customer service, where I patiently held the line for 10 minutes. Funny that no one was available to assist me.
I then called the phone # on the back of the Aspire card 1-866-705-3607. When I got a person on the line, I told them I had called a few minutes prior & would not hold for longer than a minute. They quickly put someone on the line that spoke very poor English. Again, I asked about the secured amount & where that was & why it was not mentioned in the letter. The rep hemmed & hawed (New England verbage) & played dumb with me.
I told her that I would be in contact with the Attorney General in my state. I hung up on her. I am going to contact the attorney general. A couple of my friends have, unfortunately, dealt with less than honest/fair companies. Contacting the attorney general was helpful for both of them. Companies like Aspire think that the "average" consumer is going to accept the situation as they present it. We don't have to.
Aspire is going to hit us with over the limit fees until the balance on the cards is paid. I was granted a new line of $100.00 (wow) until the card was closed, which will be Dec. 2nd. I can easily pay off the balance, but where is the secured amount of $500.00? I think that most of us would not have signed up for this credit card if we had other options. For people like myself, I had to secure the card in order to get it. I have made all my payments on time. Never have been late. I may not get my money back, but I'm sure going to try. I wish everyone luck in dealing with Aspire.
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