Advanta

Advanta received and processed payment of $500 on September 17, 2011 before the due date of September 19. They are claiming payment was not received despite the proof of cancelled check sent several times from myself and my bank. My bank representative called on my behalf to rectify with no success. Interest rate has gone from 7.99% to 33.99% with late fees. Advanta will not recognize the issue and is demanding an immediate payment. This is absolutely absurd! I have never missed a payment or have been late with this company.

Advanta is at it again! Beware! I am on automatic recurring payments so that Advanta can't take Advantage of me. But they found two ways: first, the "computer" took the payment 3 days past the due date and forced my account into late land. Then, the next month, they took out the "past due one " and the current payment. They now had three payments for two months and I was charged late fees. Wait, it gets better. So, I called them. They only saw two payments made. I argued with them and I noted that my bank shows three payments. They said that I can contest the debit of the two payments. But I told them I owe a part of that. Well, they then stated that I would get debited again for the missed payment. So, I did what they had suggested with my bank. Then, the collection agency called. Advanta charged me another late fee and a returned check fee, plus raised my rate from 7.99% to 32.99%! I did clear it up, Thank God. But just when I thought I was safe, they did it again a month later.

Here is the second way they messed with me: they canceled my auto payment for that month. Their excuse is that I did it. Yes, I want terrible credit and a 32.99%. My bank account had been erased from the computer. When I called in the account number in again, the rep said the computer couldn't take that number. The rep said, "I've never seen this in a thousand years." Yeah right! I tried to input my bank account information in the computer. It said it was a "negative" account. What the heck does that mean? The computer tech had no idea. So, I wound up giving them a different account number for the recurring payments. Why was my account erased from the system? Maybe so that I would have to start writing checks and they would claim they never got the payments and raise my rate. Well, they did raise my rate. Today I found out that Advanta scheduled next month's payment. It shows two months payment due, late fees, and the increase interest being taken out of the rejected account. That means they didn't log the other payment. Plus, they didn't get the memo on the new bank number. If I had not checked my account, I would have had another mysterious cancellation of my automatic recurring payments. This is now snowballing! The wild thing is that we are victims of Irene and the Attorney General, and it is adamant about anyone scamming the victims of hurricane Irene. It's just another fight.

I received a promotional material from Advanta, which says that I could get an establish credit in my company's name. I filled out and received credit. Later, I was forced to close the company and Advanta is showing me personally liable, and they show it as a charge off. It was not what they have promised at all. My personal credit score is down to 642, because I have this "Charge Off" from Advanta.

Advanta takes up to two weeks to post our payment. In the meantime, we incur late fees. We paid them off on 7-7-2011 zero balance. I then checked again a week later and they charged us 6.73 for cashing our check. We sent them 6.73 in pennies priority mail track number 9101 9690 1038 3334 6484 37. Payment arrived 7-20-2011 but as of 8-02, they still have not posted payment.

Advanta Credit Cards are crooks plain and simple. I have read dozens of complaints from consumers and I as well want one filed and would like to be part of any class action being pursued. I have never missed a payment to anyone, but Advanta has on more than one occasion processed my payment one day after the due date and then charges me a $39 late fee.

Each time this has been done on weekends, this last time claiming they received my payment on Sunday?????? The mail does not deliver on Sunday so they received the payment earlier than that,, claimed one day late,, $39 late fee. I called and talked toa Advanta Supervisor who basically said to bad,, and slipped and told me that they should have shown the payment as posted on the following Monday not Sunday,,, anybody going to do something about these jackasses?

Business Credit Card account. Never late or missed payment. ridiculous interest rates, holding checks till day they are due. Just the same complaints you hear every day about these crooks. FDIC says their trying to help but Advanta just ignores them. Advanta needs to pay back all the people they've cheated and balances need to be wiped clean. How can a company have so many complaints and nothing be done.

I had to leave town due to my father-in-law's illness, and missed a payment, because my wife and I were so involved with the situation. As it turned out, my father-in-law passed away after 10 days in hospice care. I returned home the day after the funeral, and got a message on my answering machine about the missed payment.

When I contacted Advanta, they informed me they raised my interest rate from 7.99% to 29.99%, even though I never missed a payment in the three years I had the account. The only way for them to lower the interest rate was for me to pay $2178.00. No matter who I talked to, they did not care. I am at a loss, how a company can be so mean to someone, who had to deal with so much, and took immediate action to resolve the situation, especially since I have an outstanding payment record with Advanta.

I was three days late to make a payment, so I called Advanta to see if they were going to raise my interest rate. The person I spoke with, a rep in India who answered the Advanta phone number, said no. On my next statement they had raised my interest rate from 3.99% to 24.99%, a difference that month, of over $200. Luckily, I had other resources and was able to pay off the principal, plus late fee, plus interest at the original rate, but not including the interest differential.

Since then they've been dunning me, charging me $39 monthly late fees, and interest at 32.99%. Because I refuse to pay, they've inserted a negative report in my credit file with Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. But so what? A credit score is just some computer's best guess, based on the information it was fed with. Intelligent creditors will consider the source, and as more and more creditors realize that they don't have to pay something just because Advanta has lied or manipulated the system, the credibility of this failed bank will continue to diminish.

Today at 10:45 AM (EST), I spoke with customer service representative Amy, making her aware that effective immediately I will no longer tender payments to Advanta Bank Corp.

During 2010, by way of several letters, I attempted to have the onerous interest rate modified downward to no avail. My concerns merely fell on deaf ears. After reviewing the December statement, the interest I paid for the year was over $2,000. Given Advanta's unreasonable stance, I've decided to channel what resources I have to paying down the obligations of creditors who have opted to be of service and help rather than a financial drain and hindrance.

As I stated to Amy, any and all follow-up Advanta inquiries attendant to this matter should be done so in writing (letter or e-mail), absolutely no phone calls.

On May 30, 2009, Advanta canceled all Advanta Business Credit Cards. So I make much larger than minimum payments to get my account paid off through online monthly payments.

In late November, I received a notice that I missed my November 2010 payment. I went into my account online and saw that it was scheduled on November 12, and had never been taken. Now I incur late fees because the payment was not made. I called to open a ticket on the matter, and several days later the late fee disappeared. I also scheduled an online payment in twice the amount as normal to cover both the Novemeber 2010 and December 2010 payments. Several days later, I noticed that the payment has not been taken out. So I canceled that online payment, and on December 2, I sent a check for the payment.

On December 14, I received by mail a notice that I am 2 months in arrears. I went to my online banking account and I saw the check sent on December 2 came back through my bank, paid on December 2010. I called Advanta and told Zuri, who couldn't care less about Advanta's errors, that I paid and all she could do is give me a fax number to send my cashed check to to resolve, which I did, after she could not get me to a live manager. She just wanted to stick me in voice mail like the last guy did in November - but the voicemail was full and could not accept any more messages.

So I called back and he stuck me into another voicemail who never returned the call. My question is, isn't there any attorney firm doing a class action on these guys yet? If so contact me! I want in, I have never seen such a bs outfit dealing with my credit ratings and fees.

I made payment online. The website set my payment for a year later. The payment just sat there. I called several times to inquire why it was not being deducted. I was advised that no one in the company had access to the website. My interest rate went from 7.99% to 29.99% as a result. This company has been bankrupt for over 2 years and my account has been closed. I was offered to pay a little over $900.00 to reduce the rate to 16.99%. I did so and they never changed it.

This company keeps calling my cellphone, looking for someone with Houston Smith Construction in Reno NV. I have given the number to Houston Smith Construction, but they persisted in calling me. I am not connected with this company, and I don't know how they got my number. It eats my airtime on my cellphone and is annoying.

Advanta is intentionally not depositing our payment checks. The last two payments I sent to Advanta for October and November 2010 was sent on October 7th 2010; check was deposited by Advanta on October 22nd. Fortunately, I saw that the check wasn't going through and called and made an extra payment, making the payment three days late. They charged a late fee of $39.00 which they later removed. I was also charged $12.00 for the extra called-in payment that they wouldn't remove. The check sent on November 1st has still not been processed (it is now November 18th 2010).

After many calls, I got them to treat the original October payment that by the time they processed it, was the second payment for October as payment for November. Next payment will be sent out on December 1st with a return receipt.

I'll be interested to hear what they say when they find that they haven't received payment when I have proof in my hands. By the way, I checked a few months ago and my credit score was 750 and displayed no late payments. So far, I have not checked our credit history to see if this has affected our credit rating. To date, it appears that they have not increased the interest on a remaining 2K loan.

I think it is quite important, though, that anyone running into this issue, to advertise Advanta's (now FDIC) fraudulent practices. I would find it hard to believe that I am the only one running into this problem.

I keep getting phone calls from this company on my cell phone. I have called numerous times but cannot get any help. What can I do? This is costing me cell phone minutes.

Advanta Bank is a predatory bank. They are very slick. They are deceiving customers with their crafty devices, and they need to be put out of business. For many years, I have been paying my bills electronically through my bank. For the second month in a row, they are assessing a late payment fee even though I always send my electronic payment on time. I just found out today what their game is. The trick they are playing is that all of a sudden, they are not accepting electronic payments from the other banks, so this forces the banks to send the payments by mail. Since the banks have to mail them, the checks for payments, they have changed their payment mailing address without notifying the costumers. This causes the checks to arrive late every time. I wonder how many thousands of costumers are being taken to the cleaners by these thieves.

This company is a joke. They increased my APR from 7% to 27% overnight. This happened years ago. I was never late on a payment. The company sent me a check for $300.00 as a settlement. I never cashed the check. It was nowhere near what I feel they owe me. I was charged the 27% for over a year. I suggest everyone write to the President and complain. Who knows something might work. I cannot believe this company has not had the money taken from it to give back. It is legal stealing. Read from the thousands of people this happened to. The real story is that the new CEO raised the rates within his first week on the job then dumped the company. Where did the money go? I am still paying on this card. This is an absolute shame a company can do this and get away with it for so long.

This company has been calling me for over 18 months. Each time they call I tell them I have never had an Advanta credit card. The Karen ** they are calling lives in NJ. I live in ME and have never lived in NJ. They have agreed that it is not my SS number and yet they keep calling me. Several people, including today, Zoe, have promised to take my number out of their system. They have automatically put my number in to be called early in the morning, mid-afternoon, and late in the evening. I am so disgusted and discouraged by this.

If it isn't, it should be against the law, I will add this letter to my file. I don't have much hope at this point of it ever stopping. It is harassment. Please help me stop it! They have agreed it's not my state, not my SS number, and apparently there is a business involved. I am a real estate broker and work for a real estate company, no company of my own. Yet while readily acknowledging all these, they still continue calling me. I have absolutely had it! I work 2 jobs and don't have the time to deal with this, but am making it a priority to have them stop calling me.

I thought it was important to make readers, inquiring about Advanta, aware that Avanta does not require a signature in order to open a credit card. They allowed a business card to opened in my mother's name with a credit line of $16,000. The individual who opened the card maxed out the card over a year's time and then the creditors started calling my mother. The reason my other did not see it beforehand is because a business card is not shown on a credit report. They harassed my mother for months, not believing her and like a typical corporation, they pass it off to collection agencies that are even further removed from the situation. It is 3 years later and they are still calling. What I would like to say to Advanta is you deserve every penny lost Advanta, for not checking a signature and for not even cross-checking the address where the individual lived. The IP address of where the card was opened was in MI. My mother lives in CA. Get a clue!

Even though I have made payments on time, the interest rate is 29.99%. In these times, it if very hard to get ahead with almost 30% interest.

I was late on 2 payments and my interest rate went from 3% to 34.99%. They also hit me for a late fee of $39.00 and they count that as an cash advance and are charging me another $13.57 dollars which is unheard of. When you call and try to talk to them, they just say pay the bill and if you refuse, they will ruin your credit. This is not right and should have the government do something about these people!

These are the people that our government should be going after! They actually scammed me out of the blue with an interest rate of 34.9% and just hand the accounts over to ** in India who just are told to give smart ** comments and can't do anything. I gave them warning to repair or I am not paying another dime. We will see who wins in the end. We must take a stand here or this will continue to be the trend.

I mailed my check on December 21st 2009 with a payment due date of December 29th 2009. Advanta did not post my check until January 7th. I didn't know the check had not been posted and on January 8th, Billy called from Advanta to tell me that my payment wasn't received. I authorized an immediate electronic payment. Billy said that he would reverse the $39.00 late fee, and when I asked if there would be any adverse effects to my account, he said that there wouldn't be. The $39.00 late fee was credited back but my interest was increased from 7.99% to 24.99% without notification.

I have tried for months to work with consumer service (just outsourced Indian workers with no authority to do anything). I sent Advanta a copy of my check dated December 21st, and they said that it is not sufficient to change my interest rate. Why is it that Advanta can just claim that they didn't receive my check until eighteen days after I mailed it, in order to jack up my interest rate with no accountability at all?

I have a perfect payment record on this and every other loan that I have ever had--and I am 55 years old. Does Advanta really have this kind of arbitrary power? Also, every month, the dollar amount charged for interest varies by as much as ten dollars; sometimes going up, even though I am paying my account (less than $4,000) down by $200 a month? This is flagrant exploitation and it has been impossible to talk with anyone who can correct these practices. I am just now sending letters to FDIC, FTC, Utah BBB and Utah Department of Commerce.

I feel that I am being held up and robbed every month. This will have possible impact on credit rating with associated lost dollar value in future loans. Approximately 100 hours was spent fighting this and the cost was around $400 in interest thus far.

Do not use this bank ever, poorly run bank, rude 'supervisors', and they won't care about you at all; same experience as others with their late charges. They won't give their full names then will hang up on you. They all seem to be from India, too. What a horrible bank!

As a small business owner, I was originally thrilled with Advanta's low interest rate. That was "yesterday". Today, I am saddled with an interest rate of 29.99% which the Advanta rep claims cannot be adjusted because this is an inactive account (their doing, not mine) and I note that they bill me every twenty-six days, giving them fourteen times per year to calculate that outrageous interest rate. How the hell does this continue? Is this even legal?

I am unable to lower my bill due to the economic hardship my business is suffering. Advanta, in the meantime, is gouging me every twenty-six days. I welcome any input from an attorney on this issue. I'll happily join any class action available.

I had this card for many years, then it was canceled. Payments were always made on time. I continued to pay off the card and will pay it off this month. I would never use Advanta Bank for any reason. Service is outsourced so no one can answer any questions. It is a terrible company to work with. I am not looking for an attorney, but I just wanted to share with others.

Small business credit card and I could not get any help from India (that's where the calls are going) or FDIC to get the interest down. The FDIC took over Advanta months ago and it is impossible to get anything worked out! You are far better to deal with a bank than the government. They tell the banks to work with people but they will not! I was able to work a deal with Chase with one phone call!

After reading the complaints from other Advanta card holders I see I am not the only one who experienced the same issues. Our interest rate went so high it is taking forever to pay this account off! I thought the goverment was going to go after crooks like this? People in India could care less what Advanta is doing to their card holders. They are telling everyone the same thing as they were instructed by their employer to do. I don't dare not pay it and spite myself by letting them ruin my credit. Is there a class action suit against Advanta I can join? Something needs to be done to stop them from ripping business owners off? The interest rate they are charging me is outrages. How can they be out of business collecting all these funds from people? I feel they owe me money for the fees and interest they have charged me!

After I signed the agreement they continued to harrass me to pre-pay themfor the first 3 payments until I proved that I was going to pay them. They were extremenly rude and refused to abide my the letter that I had sent to them requesting them to stop contacting me by phone and only by email or convetional mail.

I want to file a complaint on a company name AVANTA business credit card. On my June statement had a late fee posted. I pay by online payment, I pay on June 01th 2010.But for some reason they did not received my payment on that day. Two day later they said that I was late of my payment. So I try to explain to them that is not my fault that the payment was late and they said that they would credit back that $120 for me. But now they sent me the bill with the $120 dollar late fee. Then I call them up and " I asked to speak to a manager and he indicated he was the manager and knows everything about what is going on with my account." I indicated he was very rude and a poor manager and hung up. I left a message on their website with no response. Now having a deliquent payment on my credit record is worse.

It was not ever reported on my personal credit and should not be as it is a corporate credit card. My personal credit is flawless with not one other late on my credit my entire life. I contacted Advants several times to remove the negative item for my personal credit and they refused and were inconsiderate and unreasonable. My personal credit was unjustly and negatively impacted. They detroyed my personal credit that is protected by my corporation. I just want the negative item removed from my personal immediately.

This company increased my rate and is now moving my due date around so they get you to pay a late fee... if the FDIC didnt just in...

I've never been late in making payments. I forgot and made immediate payments 1 day later. My interest rate jumped from 6.99% to 34.99%. I tried to call and correct the situation. I talked to Brian in India who read a script, many times over. I asked to be transfered to a manager but he just repeated his script. I just transfered my balance from Advanta to another credit card for which I have to pay a fee. I would like to recuperate the $500 which I was overcharged by Advanta.

Advanta keeps changing my due date. On my credit card by one or two days just enough to keep me guessing and late.

As of Dec 2007 Advanta Bank Corp raised my APR to an astronomical rate of 37%. I repeatedly called customer service to no avail. Everytime I called they said they can not do anything for me. They essentially said at first they had sent me a notice of the rate increase, which I never received. I have kept every promotional letter of lower balance transfer rates prior to the economy melt down. I have diligently paid my account prior to this and there after.

Company was very rude and unprofessional to me when I asked why they raised my interest rate and closed my account with no notice. If they are going to close my account, they should of offered me a lower interest rate. I have never been late with my payment. Isn't this against the law?

I paid 140.00 dollars to lower my interest to 9.99% for 60 months. They said they would take off / waive 200.48 from my balance. They did not do either one, instead added a lot of fees.

I get 7-10 calls a day from these people. Most times, they do not leave a name of the company just call MS sos or Mr sos and sos. If you answer the phone no one is there or it is the robot message. I have emailed them trying to explain that I am just struggling right now and I would be happy to pay them as soon as possible. I have even ask what would they settle with but no answer to that. I have received 2 calls threatening action against these messages are just left anywhere. They also call my office. I told them I would not accept calls here but they say they have that right because it is a business debt I have. Most times I get a call at home then the office phone rings. These people may be within their rights but it is sorry service considering they are bankrupt and having troubles too. Mental stress, embarrassment.

I started using the Advanta Credit Card when the card had an interest rate of 9%. I always paid my payment on time. When the economy started going down, Advanta raised my interest rate to 34.99% which is fraudulent. This was done without warning. When I called Advanta about lowering the interest rate, I spoke to an overseas representative which could hardly speak English. Since that time, I have called them several times about lowering the interest but they have refused to do so. With the interest rate this high, paying off the principal will take some time and they know this. Many other consumers have had the same problem with this Advanta Credit Card and what they are doing to consumers is unjustified. I just want my interest rate lowered to a reasonable rate.

I received $27,000.00 at a low interest, and after the promo, it was supposed to be up to 7.99%, but in December of 2009, my interest rate jumped to 34.99%. I called and them and no one could tell me why my rate had changed. I have never been late until now (March) by 7 days, but they called me about my payment and offered me $200.00 off my interest charges for that month and no late fee charges.

I asked them if they could lower my interest rate so I could pay them off. He asked me what rate I was needing and I told him no higher than 14.99%. He told me the lowest he could give me was 16.99%. I told him I would take that because that is better than paying 34.99%. Today, April 21, 2010, they are not honoring what was told to me on April 7, 2010. I talked to Debra today (4/21/10), she hung up on me because I wanted some answers about why they lied to me about changing my interest rate. If there is a lawsuit against Advanta, count me in. Can someone please help me?

After complaints were submitted to FDIC, my interest rate with this company went from 36.99% to 16.99%. This month, I received a 29.99% interest rate. When I called, the company said that my interest rate was raised because I was seven days late with my payment. The website I paid my payment on was not available due to the company changing it. I did not know this until I tried to make the payment. The company has just published a new website where you can make payments. Their own people did not even know what this site address was when I spoke to them in early April.

I carry a smaller balance on my Advanta card - only $2,500. In March 2010, I was late with a payment by 48 hours. This was the first time that I ever was late with a payment. I always paid on time over our 3 year relationship and always paid more than the minimum payment. I explained all this to the call center rep but was told no less than 4 times that "late means late". There was nothing they could do for me. My interest rate was raised from 2.99% to 34.99% along with a "fee" of $39. These practices are abusive at best all from a bank that went bankrupt and was closed by the Feds in February. Ironic!

We have a small business and used the Advanta credit card for expenses, etc. We have been with them for almost 5 years and always paid on time. We were not aware the promo of 2.9% had expired and they raised it to 34.99%. We made 5 attempts to resolve this. All were ignored. When we now make payments, they apply it to the 34.99% rather than the remaining of 7.99% remaining. They are extremely rude and obnoxious. We are now paying an extremely high APR, which is causing extreme financial consequences for our small company.

The rep from Advanta continues to call me with threats and rude messages regarding my husband's schedule. He will not give me a supervisor or tell me his name. He will not let me talk. It is not even my account.

I took out a business card/cash advance and fell behind on a few payments; however, I have paid my balance from an original $30,000 in 2007 to $8900 now. My interest alone last year was $4500, all due to my rate skyrocketing to 34.99%! They won't even talk to me. My original line was suddenly reduced and then I was charged an over limit fee!

My experience is exactly the same as others. They even ignored registered letters from my attorney. We didn't sue because of cost; must be filed in Outer Mongolia or some such. But I have complaint with Office of Comptroller of Currency. We were looking a class-action lawyer to sue--clear case, says my attorney--but bankruptcy may make that moot. Update soon. 35% interest rate speaks for itself.

Advanta offered me an interest rate of 9.99%, then increased to 14.99% and finally to 34.99% around September 2009. For no reason whatsoever, I was never late on any payments. As stated in all of the other letters and complaints about Adavanta, I too have contacted them numerous times to no avail. Does anyone know of any other avenues to fight back?

It is loan sharking and bait and switch which is unfair business practices from 2.9% interest rate to a 39%. I may be forced to file BK as a result of the 39% interest rate and monthly minimum payment that is five times the amount that it was.

I had taken out a business loan with Advanta about a year ago. I have faithfully paid down this balance, more than the minimum payment monthly, never late. The interest rate was 7.99%. In my February statement, my interest rate jumped to 34.99%. I called Advanta and after being on hold forever, I was routed to a call center in India where they informed me that the 7.99% was an "introductory rate" and that the rate has expired and was now 34.99%. I could have gone to a loan shark and gotten a better rate. I have an $11,178 balance and the interest alone on that amount is $311.38.

They allegedly sent a late statement out (December 23, 2009, Christmas Eve) for a payment that was due January 17, 2010. They did not provide enough time, and now I'm stuck with a late fee. I've had problems with this company before, when they tried to get rid of the 0% introductory rate during the promo period. It was ruled in my favor. And now, they're refusing to reimburse me for the late fee.

Much like all the others here, my interest started out at 7.99% and raised with no notice to an incredible amount. I tried contacting them several times via email and telephone, to no avail. Then I just quit making any payments, and that's when they finally contacted me. I asked an account manager to explain to me why the interest went up, and he gave no reason. Here's my current situation: I sold my business in June of 2008, however I continued to use the card personally.

The account rep. states that if I don't pay, then the business is responsible. I was the business (sole prop.), and the new owners had/have nothing to do with my debts. My question is this: Does Advanta has the right to collect from the new owners? Also, at time of closing the new owners paid off my balance to Advanta, although we never sent written notice to them - we did however phone them for payoff amount and told them I had sold the business. The person we talked to never mentioned or instructed me to put in a written notice of sale.

And no, I guess I didn't read the fine print in the original agreement. But still would this hold up in court? Could they attack my former business and the new owners? The best offer they could make for me was to pay off in 5 years at a rate of 9.99%. I like them to charge me my original rate of 7.99%. Current rate is 32.99% please if anyone is a lawyer or knows for sure, let me know if they can go after the new owners.

My story is the same as all the rest of you. Six months after I decided the heck with them, I'm not paying (about a $7500 balance), I am now faced with many negative reports on my personal credit and facing a lawsuit from an attorney claiming to be working for them. Be forewarned, they will come after you every way they can.

Very encouraging and discouraging at the same time to read of so many small biz owners being harassed and mistreated by the corporate credit card power. It is encouraging in the fact that so many people seem to have had it with them and have stopped paying. That is the next step I am considering. I have a small balance with Advanta, approximately $3000. I closed my card about a year and a half ago when they inserted in my statement the new "terms" stating they were going to raise my rate from 6.9% to 27.99%.

I "opted out" by sending a certified registered letter. I have since been paying it down and I always pay more than minimum and always on time. In the past year, I have mysteriously not received two statements in the mail. (I am old-fashioned and pay my bills from paper copies in a pile on my desk.) I was informed from India that I was late. The first time I confirmed they had the right address, checked with the post office, etc. Nothing happened to my rate.

However, the second time my rate was changed to 27.99%. I had all the same experiences with the litany of collection calls. I was assured I could negotiate with the customer service department but only when I made my account current. There was no negotiating. Most of the Indian reps sound like they are reading straight off of a screen and have no negotiating power whatsoever. The "supervisor" who returned my call was about the same. Again, no contact info for stateside except a P.O. Box.

I am currently drafting my letter to said P.O. Box. My credit is good or at least was but I am at the point that I feel like the company consists of a bunch of unfeeling extortionists that are trying to get all their money now by jacking up interest rates and are putting good people in bad situations. I have always taken care of my debts. However, in this case, if they do not reduce my interest rate and charges stemming from it I am inclined to not pay them ever. It actually gives me great satisfaction to think about that. Jonathan from CO is right. We need to fight them in numbers. Only that will make a difference. It is astounding how they don't realize that lower rates may actually help them get their money faster. The whole bankruptcy issue is another cryptic piece of this puzzle. Their website mentions nothing of the sort. One would think a company in bankruptcy has very limited resources for collecting their debts.

Ok. I get it. We all got **. What I want to know is when the heck is the government going to step in and put these jerks in jail? What small business can afford a payment 5 times higher than what was promised? Why are they allowed to trash our personal credit scores when we can't afford such an increase? President Obama, are you listening?

In May of 2009, we received a notice our rate would increase from $16.99 to $29.99 unless we opted out in writing and stopped using the card. We opted out according to the instructions and received a confirmation letter. However, our rate was increased anyway, and they have refused all efforts to resolve the matter. I've incurred approximately $2000.00 in excess finance charges so far.

They jacked up my rate and canceled my card. Then I was [upset] and did not pay my payment. They sent me an offer to drop my rate if I caught it back up, which I did. However, my rate stayed sky high, and now I can't even talk to that department. These guys in India are trained to slap you in the face. Where is the government when we need it with these things? I guess their new policy is to wait it out and see how much we can take. Credit problems across the board are a disdain for the system in play.

I had the exact same problem as others reports. I got one payment behind and they charged a lot of fees. The minimum payment went really high. They sent me a letter about working it out. I called and they said I needed to bring the account current before they could do anything. They increased my interest rate from 7.9 to 32.99 percent. I made the payment and called and they said that they could no longer offer me a work out because the account was now current; it is a bait and switch to get you to make the payment. Now I would have to let the account go late again, incur the fees and the bad report to my credit, and they probably would do the same thing again anyway. It is a scam.

I have perfect credit with a middle credit score of 755 as of 02/2010. In January, the prior month, I went over the due date on a payment by several days. About 7 - 8 days after the due date, I logged into my account to make my payment and to my surprise, they had changed my interest rate to 32.99% from 7.99%. I was furious as I had never been late or missed a payment.

I called Advanta no less than a half dozen times and they also called me constantly. I explained to their call center in India that it was abusive and that I was willing to continue making my payments if they lowered my interest back to the original rate. After many calls back and forth in January, they called me to tell me that they would be willing to offer me a 17.00% interest rate instead if I made a payment, I elected not to make the payment because I felt the rate was still abusive considering my credit is perfect and no late payments had been made in the past with several years of payment history with them.

Finally, in February, I receive a call from their call center in India which asked me some personal information to confirm my identity, then transferred me to a local office in Pennsylvania where I spoke with Dan C. He called me to find out why I had not made my payment and explained as above. I also mentioned I had to close one of my businesses due to our economic situation. He asked me if I could make a payment of $ 517.00 dollars and offered me three solutions, one was to send them 50% of the balance and they would offer me 0% interest on the remaining balance for the life of the credit line, the other was 30% of the balance and they would offer me a 7.99% as was originally, then they offered me a hardship option which did not require me to make a payment until March where I would pay them $780.00 dollars and they would match my payment, credit my account for the total of $1,560 and the interest rate would be 9.99%. So I agreed and made the $ 517.00 payment on Tuesday 2/9/2010.

He then proceeded to tell me before the conversation finished that we would speak again in March. Concerned about my perfect credit, I called all day Wednesday and could not reach Dan C. I left 2 voice mails. I called Thursday and left another voice mail stating I wanted to bring my account current to please return my call ASAP. Finally, Friday morning 2/12/2010, I called and reached Dan C. who I spoke to for over 45 minutes pleading with him and even offering to send them a few thousand dollars to show them good faith and not report me as a 30 day late to the bureaus because my recent credit report is spotless and I wanted to protect my credit and have it remain the same way. He proceeded to tell me that since I made the payment he had reset my "clock" and that now none of the options he had originally offered me were available.

I then called him back about an hour later and asked him once more about making another payment on my account. His response was that he could no longer help me. I was to contact his Manager Tom C. I left a voice mail and then received a call back from Tom C. regarding my voice mail. I asked him the same question about making another payment to show good faith and elect one of the original options and that I would send them a few thousand dollars. He proceeded to tell me that because I made the recent payment, I no longer qualified for the original options offered to me and that my interest rate would remain at 32.99%.

A warning to all those out there, they used a bait and switch technique to collect the $517.00 and then went back on their word. This becomes a downward spiral because now, unless I do not make the February payment and make my account past due, they will not offer me any assistance as they had originally offered and deceived me incredibly. So now, I am forced to withhold payment, take another late payment on my credit report before they will potentially offer me any other help, if any at all. It is impossible to make payments at 32.99% when almost all your money is going to finance charges that are and your minimum payment is impossible to keep up with. I am looking for every possible place to file complaints against this ruthless, callous organization that operates like a mafia.

Sadly enough, my perfect credit is going to take a dive and they could care less about any of us as individuals. These kinds of credit card tactics from these companies must be illegal for them to offer you programs and then retract the offers. They are deceitful and I was betrayed unbelievably! The consequences of this abusive treatment will now cause me to affect my credit severely when I have never had a problem with my credit history in 22+ years of established credit. I never had a single late payment or ever going over 30 days. I was betrayed by them after making the payment they wanted and they don't care about anyone's credit or helping anyone!

Many years as perfect paying card holder. Rate raised to 37%, and payments over $700 with almost all going to interest. Repeated calls requesting adjustment were met with no, no no, just pay your bill. I finally quit paying, and they have offered to lower rate to 16% but based on what others have said, it is apparently a lie.

Also checked out http://www.** and found others in same position. But it looks like Advanta will settle the debt if you wait them out with no payments. Obviously, they are cheats and thieves, and only care about how much they can squeeze out of us.

They said, they would lower my interest to 16.99. I have paid them 633.39 in interest in 2009, on a balance of 1500.00. Raised my interest for no reason.

I've had the same experiences that many have described previously. What we can do? Harass them back? Write "Return to Sender" on any bills they send. Bounce back e-mails to them. Call their 1-800 line 1x a day to make a payment, then hang-up. Answer their calls, take their time once and say "No, thank you". All of this will take up their resources. "Death by a thousand cuts". If enough people do this, then it will make a difference. I've stopped paying them. If they post something to your credit report, dispute it. If they don't respond, it has to be removed from your report.

This company is the most disloyal and despicable organization. I have also been affected the same way as all these other good people. I would give 100% support to any lawsuit or legal actions towards these thieves. Where is the justice? This has been a complete and total financial hardship on my family.

I have received an email today from Advanta saying they will lower my interest rate. Not sure If I should go ahead and accept this agreement. Any thoughts from anyone and has anyone else received this?

I have been following this saga ever since it pulled me in back in June. Folks everywhere want to know what can be done. Before I give you the truth, please understand I had perfect credit. Middle credit score was 808. I thought I could reason with these people and provided two years of electronic payments to dispute the claim I was ever late. But no luck. I sent certified mail from my attorney and copied the FDIC; no luck again. That was when I stopped paying them.

They are about to be extinct. The remaining assets after Advanta Corps November BK will be settled to pay its investors 20-40 cents on the dollar. The Bank "Advanta" cannot file bankruptcy, as they are FDIC-insured. Instead a junk debt buyer (JDB) will come in and take over the debts still outstanding. That's approx 1.1 million people/small businesses.

Keep in mind, JDBs pay only pennies on the dollar. This means you get ready to settle and payoff your account for 10-30% of the alleged balance. If this still does not meet your needs, then file suit in your home county small claims court. But not yet, wait! Have the new debt owner substantiate the debt (Validate it) or ask the judge to dismiss the amount allegedly owed and correct your payment history with all three credit agencies.

I will bet you a dollar the Junk Debt Buyer doesn't even show up to dispute my complaint. Trust me, I feel the same pain as you. I really worked to elevate my credit scores, but I feel if crooks such as Advanta can easily manipulate my information by forcing me to pay 35% interest, then they can shove it where the sun does not shine!

I will have my day in court, and I refuse to reward Dennis Alter for crooked and deceptive business practices. Did you know he is the CEO of Advanta and he built a $83m mansion with our 35% interest rates?

I have had the same experience with Advanta. My rate is also at 30%. Is there anyone out there to help us?

It seems like there is so many heartbreaking and furious stories but there is no one out there to give guidance or to help. I have written to the Mass Attorney General, who referred me to the Consumer Assistance Group, who then referred me to FDIC but nothing. I have now written a letter to my senator in hopes of something. Does anyone know anything else we could do?

Closed my account. Up my interest rate to 34.99% for no reason. Will not stop calling my job.They call about 6 times a day.

I have had an account with Advanta Cards for several years now. About 2 years ago my interest rate was increased to an astronomical 33.4%. Upon questioning the company, I was told that they did periodic scans on all customers, and adjust their APR accordingly. Now, I have never been late, always paid more than the minimum payment, and never had an outstanding balance of more than $3,000 out of a $24,000 credit limit.

I have contacted them numerous times via phone and the postal system with no results. I am always told that there is nothing they can do! Out of desperation, I have contacted a consumer advocate group affiliated with WPVI/ABC TV in Philadelphia, Pa, and they are also having problems with a resolution to this problem. I need help in restoring this APR to what it was before they decided to increase it, with retroactive adjustments accordingly. Is there anyone that can help?

I will make my concern brief. I share similar stories as prior complaints, APR of 29.99%, 1st month late (19 days because of becoming unemployed, Dec 2009). I had every intention of making a payment. They harassed the heck out of me and my family with dozens of phone calls every other day. Then on Dec 28, 2009, the person I talked with seemed genuine, and offered me an APR drop to 16.99%, and he'd put in a hardship request of a further drop to 9.99% like my Discover Card did, and well, I'm stupid and there is no such mention on my Jan 2010 statement like he promised (I had read these comments prior to this incident and I questioned him as to the validity of his promises and if in fact the phone call was being recorded. He assured me it was and all would proceed as he stated) and I made my Dec payment.

All who have called since see "no documentation of this" and that of course I must be making this up. I just ask that they review the call, and of course they won't. I now have a higher monthly note after no charging anything for 1.5 years! My finance charges in 2009 alone were over $5900.00! They have filed bankruptcy? Are they getting bailed out? Someone please advise me!

This is not to complain but to praise. Advanta did jack our interest rate up to 39.99%. I then called, got nowhere. I then proceeded to write all the board of directors. Some of them had left but responded. I then got a letter from Leslie ** saying "Nonetheless, in good faith effort to assist you, we have reduced your interest rate to Libor + 14.59% for purchases and cash transactions, currently 16.99%". I am very happy with the reduction. This has helped our business. Snaps for Advanta.

I would like to bring to your attention an issue that I am having with Advanta who raised the interest rate on my credit card. I have been unable to resolve the issue with them directly and would like your assistance on the matter. Is there an agency that I can go to help me get this resolved? Below is my second letter to Advanta. Thanks.

Back in October of 2009, I noticed on my statement that my interest rate has been raised from 2.9% to 29.99%. I called your customer service to mention this obvious error only to find out that my rate has indeed been raised. I was told that my rate was raised back in June of 2009 because I had a late payment. Previously and since that time, none of my payments had been late. I was aware of the late payment in June because I called your customer service people before the June 7 due date (call was forwarded to India) and told them that I had recently moved (my mail was slow in forwarding) and had been traveling overseas and that I was sending payment.

I asked them if my rate would be adjusted upward because of this late payment and they said, "Just send the payment, and since you had never been late before, your rate would not be adjusted upward." So I sent the payment and did not think anymore about it until now. I am asking that my rate be adjusted back to the original balance transfer rate of 2.9% and that the excess interest charges be deducted from my account from the June time period. Thank you for your time.

This is a follow up to a letter I posted late last year. After closing my store in February of 2009, I let Advanta know that I had closed and would still pay my bill. I was working from home, and in August, they raised my interest rate which made my monthly payment more than I even make. I called and called with no help. I ended up not making any payments since, and even if I send in the $420.00 a month that I normally paid, it wouldn't even cover the interest each month. Every month I would get a late fee and the balance would keep going up.

After 4 months, I actually got to talk to an American. Funny thing is when they wanted to talk about a payment plan, it just so happened that my husband lost his job and we are living on 1/5 of what we were before. Advanta doesn't seem to understand my house and utilities are more important than them. Now I have been turned into a collection agency. I did receive a letter from Advanta that if they choose not to pursue my debt, I will be getting a 1099 form to claim on my taxes as income. Again, I have to say I don't care if these crooks get nothing. By the way, if anyone is getting constant calls from a collection agency, all you have to do is send them a letter telling them to stop calling you and they have to honor that. You can find more information on the Internet. Good luck to all.

I see that we have all been ** by Advanta. The question is what do we do about it. They filed for BK last month. Should we keep paying them in order for them not to slam of credit reports? I got a 25K balance with these guys. These guys hit my personal credit report because I refused to pay 37% interest.

First, they closed the line of credit with no warning. Billing date was changed from 17th of every month to the 15th by Advanta. I have been an outstanding customer, always paying on time or before time and always more than the minimum payment amount. I was honest with the customer service supervisor stating that I did receive the monthly statement but presumed that the billing date was the same. I call in every month to make my payment. They acknowledged that I was a good customer and had complied as agreed. However, they refused to waive the fee.

credit line to. I was foolish to believe it. They asked that I continue to pay and no change would be incurred. Question? How can they close the line and make changes to a contract that we both agreed upon and that was a $2.99 rate for the life of the loan? What are my legal rights?

I have been in business 29 years and the month that I took the advance, they closed shop. So I am faced with a "teaser" rate and not a true business credit line, which I hoped I could raise since I have excellent credit. We have not been late and when I initially called, they stated they did not need to notify me, which obviously they knew they were going to do since it was right after I took the funds. Yet to be seen, but I can't access the line for the amount I was given since they closed all the lines out.

My interest rates were raised without due cause to anywhere from 24.99% to 37.99%, though my payments were timely, and my payments were for more than the minimum amount due. Repeated calls to customer service revealed no just cause on my part for such increases. As a result, there was no possibility of paying down my balance which caused much stress and anxiety.

I have been able to open other credit card accounts over time and pay off my balance with balance transfers. However, before I was able to accomplish this, I paid $1,318.94 in interest alone in 2008 and $1,318.86 in 2009. This is tantamount to extortion, as I had these high interest charges forced upon me. On September 25, 2009, Advanta sent me a check for the amount of $127.65 as reimbursement for unfair charges with the stipulation that my cashing it is a release to Advanta Bank Corp from any claims and actions that might exist. I feel that this is too low a sum and would like to be included in any legal proceedings against Advanta for fair reimbursement. As to date, the check remains uncashed.

I had abusiness card with this company in good standing always paid on time. All of a sudden this company closed this card or all cards as they say. I then noticed interest rate jumped to 34.99%. I called and asked for a copy of the letter they sent out in regards to the rate change, they said that basicly no. I have fallin on hard timesas have most, no work in 3 months. I am a self employed concrete inspector.

So I called this company to try an inroll in a hardship program like other of my cards offer. To help me stay in good standing and also pay my responsbilities. This company said "no such program, no rate adjustment due to all cards being discontinued" I told them thanks and not to be looking for any payment from me, due to their unwillingness to work with me. They just became last on the list of bills to get paid. And they did send me one of those checks to relese them from libilty but i did not cash it so should any case come together against Advanta Bank Corp sign me up.

As all complatints before me mine are the same. What I want to know is what do we have to do to file or get someone to do something. Are we just out here on our own. I have kept a detailed papaer trail of this and would just like to know can anybody do anything other than just complain.

Was Adavanta on the bailout list? Do we write letters to the editors in thier local newspapers, Washington Post New York times. Wall Street Journal. Maybe if we inidate them some one can do something.

Went from 6.99% to 39.9 but now down to 32.9 according to my statment, but according to the Indian Custmer Services my interest is still 6.99 and also according to Donna they (the Indian CS) has been told that under no circumstances are they alowed to negotiate, or give any US numbers. As per Donna the Indian Customer Service is a Third Party Bill Collection Agency and nothing else.

I utilize my Bill Pay Service through my bank to pay my bills. On May 27, 2009 I accidentally clicked on my AAA Visa payee and paid them $70.00, instead of clicking on Advanta to make the payment that was due in early June. I was not aware I had paid the wrong payee until I received a call from Advanta stating I was late. Upon hearing this, I discovered the error and immediately sent a $100 payment to Advanta on June 23, 2009. When I received my Advanta bill in late June, I immediately paid $142 on July 1 to cover my July payment to make sure I was current. I am shocked to find that because of this error, they have increased by interest rate to 36.99%. I tried calling several times and spoke to people in India, asking for supervisor.

They kept saying one would call and noone ever did. I finally told them I would no longer make payments until a supervisor calls me. Still no supervisor call, so I quit making payments. Then I started getting verbally abusive calls from the same people in India (who contantly change their name) asking me to pay up. I kept telling them i would not pay a dime until a superviosr called.I have even sent two letters (one addressed to their so called President Kevin Walsh),but to no avail. I finally got a letter from their Litigation department telling me they are going to sue me. I kindly mailed them a letter back telling them that I have made several attemtps to rectify this with them and send copies of my prior letters. I told them if they were not going to go back to my original agreement and rate, and no late fees than I would resume paying, but if not- SUE ME because you aren't getting another dime.

Anyone looking to contact Avanta Bank Corp in PA, call 215-. Ask for Trina H. who is a executive assistant, and probably as high up as you will get. I have called her several times. Not that she did anything for me. Maybe a flood of phone calls will do something.

I have been a good standing customer of Advanta for a few years, paying on time. This summer, all of a sudden they closed the credit line without warning and jacked the rate to 35%, not returning any phone calls. I became unemployed for 3 months and made a double payment to catch up n July. They have returned NO calls or requests to negotiate a lower rates or discuss my account. I fell behind one payment again, and extremely rude and persistent Indian people began to call me, sometimes as early as 7:30am, as much as 3-5 times a day, refusing to discuss anything and shouting at me that they need my checking account number.

When I tried to call corporate headquarters and insisted on speaking with a manager from the US, I was given a voice mail for "Tim Winters", who never called back. All the Indian people call themselves "Jim, Bob, Janet, Donna or Samantha" and say their last name is "Smith". Finally, I agreed to make an automatic draft out of my checking account to pay them for December and January in the same payment, on December 21, 2009. The screaming one named Janet said the phone calls would stop if I did this. She gave me a confirmation number for this agreement, but would not send any written confirmation or email. The phone calls HAVE NOT stopped, and yesterday, again, they called at 7:30am and pretended they were in Pennsylvania. I was informed that the phone calls WILL continue until they get their money and that as long as I am paying, there is no need to review my eligibility for "special rates". Please help me, I am at my wits end.

As we go back on our statements I notice that up to Nov. 2008 all finance charges information appeared on the face of the statements. As of Dec.08 they changed the format and the balances and rates info now appear on the back of the page. That's when my my higher rate balance began to grow . Could that be a coincidence ? How can your balalnces grow if you are paying at least minimum??

On April 28, 2009 I received a email from Advanta bank Corp Stating that if I issue a balance transfer/deposit fund into my own account. I will be offer 0% apr through october 1, 2010. Which I still have the copies of email.

Which I did, and they charge me $285 process for advance of $9500 which is fine.

However, I notice Advanta start charge interest charge oct, 2009 statement. I contacted their customer service, in which they admit they send out false advertise email, but won't not take any responsibillties on their action. now I am charge about 8% interest for something should be 0% interest.

I am already struggling to stay on top of my financial obligations. An increase in the interest rate will add to this burden. I'm making a sincere effort to maintain my good credit rating. Companies like this are pushing our economy deeper into recession with these types of efforts!

Like many here I was never late with a payment. My interest rate was suddenly jacked up from (I think) 7.99% to 34.99%!! They've then sent a check for $165 telling me that if I deposit that, I renounce all possibility of future action against them. These crooks and liars should be in jail.

They jacked up my interest rate from 16.99% to 29.99% for no reason and then lied to me that they would lower it back to 16.99% if I "prepaid" my upcoming monthly payments before they were actually due. I then found out that my "agenT" Sam P had no authority to make such a deal and they refused to lower my interest rate as they originally agreed to. You MUST deal with a bunch of flunkies from India and it is impossible to talk with anyone in the states. I had my account for years, never missed a payment and now they are charging me loan shark rates.

They are scamming and abusing their customers!! I too have been a customer of Advanta for a long time. I had never ever missed a payment with them. They contacted me 2 weeks before closing my account (with no sympathy I might add) leaving me to decide what to do with my business transactions due to this card being my sole business card. My interest rate is now a whopping 29.99 percent!!!! Due to the economy, I like many many others had to close my business of 7 years.

You would think that Advanta would have been willing to assist. Not at all. I even begged, cried and pleaded with them for assistance. Not for forgiveness of the debt, but just some assistance in lowering the interest rate. Every person time after time phone call after phone call cry after cry was the same cold hearted person as the next. This is sad that a company can do this. My credit is great and like others I have never ever been late on ANY of my bills. But that may have to change, because I can not allow a company to rob me at a 30 percent rate causing my payments to be $900 a month and I have no income. I will just pray for relief later from a judge or class action suit.
Good things happen to good people,

those that do bad, well... you get my point. Advanta customers, hold on, and lets keep each other in our prayers. Victory will be ours!!!

I have an Avanta account that I closed because of horrible customer service and high interest rates. I have been making ontime payments and they are telling me now that since the account was closed, they cannot change the current rate! 34.99% is outrageous for any card.

Card was in good shape till 2008 when they had troubles and payments get lost or not processed by their automated account. The web is loaded with advanta complaints and similar issues from small business owners as myself. A class action suit may be in order as many of us need an attorney to address this.

Nearly each month when I attempt to pay my bill on line advanta's site says my (previously registered) ID and/or password does not match Advanta's records. Then I have to call its customer service to complete my payment. I believe the error message that prevents me from access and making my payment is intentional to delay my payment so that a late charge can be added to my account.

My husband had an advanta credit card for his business. Advanta dropped the credit card last May, it was paid off, cut up and closed. Unfortunately, when he got the credit card for the business he had to put his name on it also. About two weeks ago they started calling my husbands work and our home 3 to 4 times a day insisting there is a balance on the card. My husband has asked them several times to fax a copy of the bill showing the balance the business supposedly owes but they do not. He told them the charges would have to be verified with his controller before anything will get paid.He told them to stop calling our home and they continue to call. They are boarding on harrassment.

Upon closing my account Advanta raised my interest rate from 7.99% to 30.99% after calling they lowered it down to 16.99% but now they are doing something else to scam your money if you carry a balance and or Purchases and "Cash Advances" which they say were convenience checks, balance transfers, and now fees and charges. Now heres what they are doing, you have a balance of purchases and Cash advances, when they get your payment they apply all the amount to the balance of the purchases only, now they charge you the interest and the fees for cash advances on the remaining total balance which they then tack on to the Cash advances balance which slowly increases every month if you pay the minimum payment. After callng Advanta and speaking with Neil from India, I was told there was nothing he could do and that I should seek credit help elsewhere, I asked can I pay off the "Cash Advance" balance, He promptly said no, any and all payments will go purchases balance first at the current rate and any fees or charges will be applied to the cash advance portion, which is at the higher interest rate. This is a scam!!! Advanta sent me too settlement checks $101.00 and $26.00 and by cashing I will not hold them to legal settlements later, I'm still holding the checks and do not intend to cash them, At this Point Advanta means nothing to me.

Advanta has slowly increased my interest rates to the now 31.99%. I have called them repeatedly and asked for consideration on their rates and I can't get them to cooperate. I have never been late or skipped a payment to give them reason for the increase.

It happens every statement! They arrive very late in order to make the payment in time. For example, I received the last statement today, November 12 and the bill due date is November 17. As I am on the West Coast and the payment is processed on the East Coast, chances are the payment is not going to be processed in time. And this is not the first time, I have complained to the Advanta Card in person and was assured that they will mail the statements on time. By the way, sometime in the past they jacked up my APR from 7.99% to over 30% without any explanations given, so I closed the account.

Advanta is a scam I had a 12.9 interest rate and accidentally paid another credit card twice. When I realized what I had done, I immediately paid them but the next bill showed they hiked my rate up to 35%. I asked to speak with a supervisor. THey kept telling me one would call but one never did. I have written two letters asking to have a supervisor call me to put my rate back down, and they never do, so I notified them that I will no longer pay my bill untis a supervisor calls. They (people in India) keep calling me to pay my bill, I tell them "not until you put a supervisor on the phone." They never do and keep calling all hours of the day. MAJOR THIEVES!!!!!!!!! I was a honest pay on time person, but now... they can just charge the rest of this balance off. I just don't give a damn anymore.

I have used my Advanta business card for over a year for my small business. Recently the company closed all credit lines and with no notice increased my interest rates to above 30%. I made my payments at regular intervals and the same payment each time so without notice I had paid less than he amount due. I called to clarify the issue and was told I would receive paperwork to sign to reduce the interest but have yet to receive said paperwork. I was outraged by this and wanted answers and thus refused to pay until I received some sort of action at which time a report was sent out against my credit. When I asked a representative on the phone if having an interest rate above 25% in NY was illegal he responded with, "we are based out of Texas" How does the law account for such loopholes? and where is the fair and just action?!

I have (had) a credit score of 780, and never in my life missed a payment on a loan or credit card account.

Fortunately, another card of mine had offered me a balance transfer offer that same month of the increase and I transferred the balance with no knowledge of the increase. Fast forward a few months and Advanta offers me a 6% balance transfer offer with no fees by email. With no knowledge of the rate increase, I transferred $4000 back onto my Advanta card.

Subsequently a few months after that they closed the accounts and in August of this year my payments on my balance transfer skyrocketed. Confused on what happened, I checked my paper statements for that month and I saw the 34% APR number. With the new interest rate and the payments, I couldn't afford to pay my account.

I called up Advanta and spoke to a Brian recently with a thick indian accent, who informed me that I wasn't allowed to settle my account, and the only interest rate they could offer me was a 16.99% or credit counseling with an outside company that COULD settle or negotiate with them (Why can't I negotitate my own account, I AM THE ACCOUNT HOLDER AFTERALL), as well as notifying me that they had sent me a rate increase letter by certified mail in August of last year (Which they hadn't, but how do I prove a negative against them, I don't know?).

I have saved every piece of paper that credit card companies have sent me, I have a filing cabinet full of these things.

I plan on contacting my states attorney general's office and wish to find a way to get this company honest on their accounts.

Advanta Bank Corp closed all credit card accounts May 2009. I have been making regular payments and on time. The interest rate on my account is 16.99%. For the past 3 months my balance has reduced by $191.30 Aug, $189.00 Sept, and $187.55 in Oct. On each statement following a payment my interest charges and fees have gone up instead of down. With these 3 payments on principle of $567.85 a reasonable person would expect the interest charge to go down somewhat not increase. from August to Sept. the interest charge went up $4.40 and from Sept to Oct the interest charge and fee went up another $14.45. They tried to tell me it was due to the change in amount of days of the billing cycle. I don't buy that as a correct answer. Even if the amount of days in the billing cycle differ, somewhere it would show some type of decrease in the interest charges since the balance is now $576.85 lower than 3 months ago.

opened up a business account with them. Now they are out of business and my account closed. this brings down my credt score and i need good credit for my business. my credit score has dropped.

I have decided to not make my payments which is something I have never done. I get calls from India about 5 times a day. I only pick up the phone about every 2 weeks. I will either have to file bankrupcy or wait for them to turn me into a collection agency and work for a settlement. If I could find a bank to lend to me. I have been depressed about the whole situation. I had about $26,000 in debt from my business and had planned to pay it off. Now I really don't care if Advanta gets a dime from me. May the owners get what they deserve.

My company is financial distress so I am calling all my buisness creditors and trying to assure that I can keep paying on time, its that bad , I dont even have money to pay my taxes this year. I asked the gentlman if we could at least reduce the rate so I can assure that the payments are paid on time. I was given a number to a credit councelor. I am a buisness owner and dont need counseling . I explained to him that we are trying to reduce our rates with all creditors. we know what to do its just that Advanta does not want to hear it , Soon I will not be able to pay them. Also they are the only creditor that is not willing to talk to you. The conversation goes like this after you have explained your case , They say. You need to call this numberand talk to them , I ask who is this management, what can they do for me?.

Then Im told Just call this number We are instructed to give this number out to any one who needs assistance. Its not till you call the number that you find out that they had you call a credit counselor.
There is also a web site I found if you go to advanta.com you will find a segment page thar has testimony after testimony about how their Advanta acc. was closed down as was mine,after which their rates were drastically raised. So not only did they shut down all of their buisness accounts they raised the rates after.
We are a professional company Liscensed insured , small operation we are honest people trying to do the right thing.
Is there any one out there that can help.
Frustrated

Ps.Our acc. has always been paid on time

I feel so badly for many of you! Your stories are so similar to mine and it is heart breaking. I am fortunate in the fact that I was able to pay my balance off in it's entirety when they closed my account.

Obviously they did not take into consideration things like POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE as well as loan sharking. or predatory practices!

On May 26th I received a letter informing me that they were closing my account as of June 1st. This left me with 4 days to scramble and make arrangements for my business purchases. As if I have time to read their wordy contract for a loop hole allowing them anything less than 30 days to close my account.

Today I received a check as well for $26 and change. My letter also had the standard hold harmless paragraph when cashing the check. Keep in mind my account has been closed for 4+ months and was paid in full at that time. I am NOT going to cash this check! I feel certain that there will be a class action suit regarding their practices and predatory policies. Stand firm people!

Never late but will not lower interest rate of about 30%. The would cash check and not credit acc. for 3-5 days later so you would be in default.

They closed my account and raised my interest rate to an unfair 34.99% and now tell me because my account is closed, they cannot lower the interest rate. I have been an excellent customer and they even agreed with that on the phone. It will take an incredibly long time to pay this off since 2/3 of my payment goes to the finance charges. We are a one income family and it is hard to make the payments.

Advanta small business card. Started interest at 7.99% now over 23.% Never been late. Carry a balance of over $20,000. This is sickening. Please help.

I have been an Advanta credit card user and like many others have had their accounts closed and interest rates raised to unjustifiable criminal rates. I have contacted Advanta many times and get a overseas (India) representative which is a stone wall. I can get no where with these people trying to get an interest rate that is within reason. My interest rate was 7.99 and has increased to 34.99% which to me is criminal. These credit card companies are getting away with loan sharking and something needs to be done about it immediately. It is creating a hardship for too many individuals and small businesses that are already suffering due to a dismal economy. What can be done about these high interest rates?

As with all other complaints I am reading here, Advanta raised my credit card interest rates to 34% with no just cause. No late payments, no over-limit charges. Nothing. I called and asked why and they said their contract stated that they were free to raise my rates at will. I then asked for the payoff amount and payed the balance in full over the phone directly with a representative just to be rid of them. Next thing I know, I have a statement with an interest charge of $6.00 and a late fee of $39.00!

Because I had cleared and closed the account, I didn't look at the next statement that came in the mail. They showed my account having interest charges between the time I payed the balance pver the phone, and the time the bank draft actually completed. Their collections people called me every day for about two weeks and everytime I answered phone I let go the wrath.

Finally I guess they got tired of being yelled at and agreed to remove all activity from the card that had posted after I called my payoff in. My balance was only about $2000. I feel really bad for those trapped and unable to escape these criminals. I just received a "reimbursement" check for $9.37; by cashing I would release these idiots from any and all claims or actions.

I say bring on the claims and actions...I don't see much to gain personally, but will participate on principle and on behalf of all the other innocent victims caught up in this. I would like info as to what claims or actions are being taken and how to participate.

first allowed charges from triple c- some kind of insurance that i did not authorize i 2009. asked it be stopped. advanta said they could not stop it or remove it. i called triple c which is owned by advanta, they put it on your acct. triple c said that they could not remove it, i stopped making a payment so they woluld remove it. finally 2 were removed. i had to argue and argue like crazy. that was some time ago. now i noticed only 2 were taken ooo and not the other 2, so i called them again, same thing. advanta, and triple c. then triple c said they would take the two off and this week i noticed on one fee of $ 14.99 was removed.

these people will argue and argue with you. i told them i was reporting them to consumer affairs and attorney general of illinois and the state where they do business out of , their main headquarters. then i spoke to them about the interest that has skyrocketed to 34% or 36%. this was after they said the account was going to be closed. i sasked them to lower the interest and they said that they could not make any changes on the account, yet they could raise the interest. today 10/09/09 i receive a phone call saying they will lower it to 16 %, and would I like it, of course I said yes, but i have it no where it was w when i opened the account. also i make payments on line, and get a confirmation #, and then later it comes back that it did not go through, and the funds were there. they think that they can do anything because the acct is closed by them. i have not been offered a check for $ 200 or so like i read some people have, but i will try another complaint offered thank you

I called and was thanked for my excellent payment history, which led to my question of what's going on? They said something must have happened with the way I was managing my debt.? What? She really didn't know, couldn't explain, and didn't much care. I then received a notice in the mail that my interest rate was being reduced to 28.9% (Wow, what a gift).

I decided a couple of months ago to use the bill pay option from my checking acct. I set it up to pay that months Advanta bill. Being the first time I used this, I apparently did not go far enough in the program to actually "pay" the entries I had made.
A different creditor called me, which is how I found this out. I then called the other creditors I had "paid" in the same event, one of them was Advanta.

The other creditors had no problem removing the late fee, and resetting, if applicable, my promotional low interest rate. Advanta, on the other hand, said they could not adjust the interest rate because the account was closed. They did, offer me a $200 credit (?) and give me the number of Consumer Credit Counseling? What? So, the end result is that my 2.99% interest rate is now 25.99%. My payments are outrageous, and most of it is interest.

I have continued making my payments to this company, but have felt abused and helpless in doing so! I have never missed a credit card payment with any of my creditors, and every month I seriously consider doing just that with Advanta, as I don't know what else to do. I recently received a check, like others here, for $298.30 stating that if I cashed it, I release Advanta from any and all claims or actions that might exist, or existed on the date of this letter than involve any Reprice Event.

This is not my area of expertise, but something just smells bad about this. That said, I don't know what to do. Thank you for the opportunity to share this difficult and stressful experience.

In March of 2008 we took Advanta up on their credit offer for our business. The interest rate at the time was 7.99% In October of 2008 our interest jumped from 7.99 to 30.08%. We called and asked them why as we had never had a late payment and they told us we now had to much credit card debt. So that was their reason. We felt like we were duped! We ended up having to take out other credit lines to pay off the balance of this unheard of % RATE.

Today we recieved a check for 157.00 and a letter that said by cashing this check we relieve Advanta of any further action. NOPE! we won't cash their little offering after having paid soooo much interest. We are certain that a LOAN SHARK would have been cheaper than what they did to us. At least we would have known what the shark was going to want in return for the loan. Anyone else being given this dangling carrot? We had to hurry to use other credit sources to pay off the majority of the credit balance. Have been paying on the remainder of the ADVANTA credit every since! BEWARE do not do business with ADVANTA!

They closed the account on May 2009, then a month later raised interes rate to 28.99%. Can they close and then change the rate? Doesn't close mean end of contract and nothing to be added or changed?

A couple of days ago I got a check for a little over $500.00 stating the FDIC said they owed this to me and they want me to cash it and relieve them of all liabilities. These people are crooks and I feel confident that if I cash the check I would be screwing myself out of what I am actually owed.

I have a small business credit card with Advanta which was opened 3 years ago to help with start up cost. At the time they had the typical low apr. rate promotion that I took advantage of. After the promotion was over my rate was 7.99%. I have paid on time, above the minimum amount due, and now my account has been closed with my apr going to 34.99%. We are being financially raped by these Advanta CEO's. You can NEVER speak to anyone who speaks English properly!! We need to fight back!!!!! They are not going to put my business under!

I have had an business account with Advanta Bank Corp since 2002 and have always been in good standing. I always paid more than the minimum and always on time. In December I was late by a couple of days and now Advanta has raised my interest rate from 7.9% to 35.17%.

I have attempted to resolve this unfair rate over the phone and sent several letters however the people in New Deli really don't care and all they can do it state that the account is closed and they can't adjust the rate.

I then refused to pay because all I was paying was the interest and I would never get it paid off. Since then I was contacted almost daily and I always answered and again requested they work with me on a more resonable rate.

I was then contacted by an agent saying he was with Advanta, I have to wonder about that, and I could agree to a contract to pay in 12 months at 3.9. I went for it then I found that they put this business account on my personal credit file and listed it as late. This is a $33,0000 business line not something you want on a personal credit file. The agent also told me that by making my first payment on the new plan I would not have a payment due until November and he would call me when it was due. I called them and was told by another agent that I was past due already! When I logged in to pay I had two payments due and was only able to make one payment, then i had to wait 3 days to make another.

this is the worst company I have ever delt with. They have gone out of their way to make sure I defaulted and have really affected my credit score. Since then i have had and American Express credit card closed because I haven't used it, Chase has lowered my credit line, and BB&T has reported my business line on my personal report as well.

How could 6 days late in 12 years ruin me this way. I have always guarded my credit and had a score of 840 and my business score was also high. Now I would have trouble buying a car!

Advanta offered recently Autopay as a means of paying our monthly bill. We signed up. According to our Account Review on line we were "Enrolled in Autopay". Later we noted that that autopay process did not draft the payent from our bank, we were elevated to 24.9% interest plus charged a late fee. Coudl this jsut be a human error? Not likely.

- all calls go to overseas call centers, we are helpless to find a decision maker or a person of authority.

This appears to be a deceptive practice by Advanta. Be warned.

I called back and gave the next Induan a chance then asked for a manager, and she would not give me one. I have explained to them they gave me too much credit and of course I used it, so can we make they due date at the end of the month b/c my wife and I are payed at the end of the month. Of course they want you to be late. I have been charged a fee I think only once because I generally find or borrow the money to pay them a day or two in advance. I never had this problem before Advanta closed all accounts

We have had this card for years and had 0% interest for the life of the card. OUr las payment was due Sept 2nd 2009 and my husband used the bank account I had just cloes to try and make the payment. Neither of us knew it did not go through properly. One week later I got a call form India for a payment and was told out interest is now 29.99%. I asked for a superviser and was told that would not help me. I called 4 times and each time got someone from India who told me there last name was JONES. This is an outrage. Something has to be done with this company.

Advanta is a horrible company I have never ever spoken to anyone that is from india!! Our business closed because of a illness,I never ever missed a payment until 1 last year because in hospital for several month!! they raised my rate to 34.99% won't work with us at all,said they would lower interest never did,Tried to do a balance transfer wouldn't take it because it was from another bank!!said I needed to check other credit cards I have for balance options with a check.Thanks god for bofa for at least taking a settlement deal from us with low interest,they were very understanding but not this company

All doing business with the remaining bank should pull out and take the business elsewhere.

A few months ago, my payment to Advanta arrived a few days late to them (this was the first time ever that it was late) and they charged me a late fee of $39.00, took me off of the zero % promotion I was on and raised my interest rate to 29.99%. After calling numerous times and originally being promised that the late fee would be removed as a courtesy and it not being removed, I was told by someone in India who said she was a supervisor named Annie that she would not remove the late fee or give me a reasonable interest rate.

Ongoing, as so many others have reported, the Advanta Credit Card Company had ratcheted up their interest rate any chance they could get, then they closed. I believe that in the six or seven years we've had activity with them (about 80 months), we had missed payments by a couple of days nearly three years ago. BANG - now 36%, they close and we're stuck with the rate which is continuing to be serviced by someone. I sent emails each month since they closed asking for a reduction in the rate (and did before) but keep getting turned down. Now an ultimate insult: Their "customer service" people provided me with a 800 number to call. I called it and it was a credit consulting firm! How so very insulting. It is Advanta's actions that have put me into this position, and they have the audacity to refer me to a credit consulting firm. What a horrible bunch of people with no conscience. Anybody willing to bundle a class action suit against them or their assigns, I'm ready to jump aboard!

I have read all the complaints and all same is true. So, what recouse do we have. You can not speak to anyone that is in the U.S. The rates that are being charged are up there with LOAN SHARKS. Is there no law to govern these tactic? I am paying double what any other credit card I have.

In May, they closed all accounts. In July, I attempted to set-up automatic payments but this did not take and two days later when I checked the website, I found no record of payment or automatic payments. I immediately put through a payment and when I received my statement 10 days later, I had been charged 17% on the balance plus a late fee(for a total of $184.38)

Despite numerous calls, all of which ended up in India, could not get anyone to listen. I wrote but had no reply. On July 28th I called to get the balance and decided to pay it in full--it posted on August 5th. Today, August 24th I got my statement and there's another $58.69 charged supposedly in interest fees. I called again and once again landed in India. These are predatory practices that need to stop. I have read that Advanta agreed to pay restitution for these practices yet I cannot get them to delete this last statement. What can be done?

Advanta agreed to pay restitution for the rate hike. They said that they would be mailing payments 60 days from June 30. Has anyone received their payments? Advanta is supposed to compile a list. If I do not get my payment, I 'll just take it up with the small claims courts. What are you guys doing? My rate went from 2% to 38%! for no reason.

Advanta closed all credit cards and then raised my interest rates to 37.99 when I never was late on payments. They have applied this large interest rate to my previous balance which is unfair credit card practice that is not allowed when Obama signed the bill in May 2009. They are now reducing my credit card limit even though the card is closed and charging me over the limit fee everytime I reduce my payment with a payment. I have emailed them and send them a letter and still no response.

I've never been late with payments of any kind, and have a credit rating in the 700's. But personal circumstances including the economy and injuries sustained in a car accident have depleted my savings, and I was, in June, late with my Advanta payment. At 1 day late there were 11 phone calls on my caller ID from them. This continued on a daily basis. Then two weeks later, when I was all of 16 days late, they raised my rate from 7.99% fixed to 32.9%.

I have had perfect credit history, never a day late, and now have a quadrupled interest rate. What is being done about banks like this getting there last "dibbs" in during the interum period before the Obama changes take place? Is there relief for the victims? Advanta has now offered me a "medical" program where they lower the rate to 8.5% for one year for me to recover. Then they boost it up to 16.9% thereafter. I have not yet agreed because of he 16.9%. In the meantime, the account is a mess with all the extra interest, and the higher payment due. Is there anyone who can help us with this?

My card expired. I paid the balance on time. I never received a new card. A year later I received a bill for the yearly fee for around $40.00. I did not have an Advanta Card, I did not use an Advanta Card, and I will not pay for a card I do not have and did not use.

I received a phone call from the individual calling himself "Bob S" saying I was late on my Advanta account and asked how much I was going to pay today. I informed him I was not in front of my computer and would have to look at my accounts. He quoted amounts to me, and I again told him I would have to look at my accounts, that I was not in front of my computer. He asked what site I paid my bills through. I told him it was my bank - Bank of America. I told him it is possible that I already had the payment scheduled, but I would have to check. He said he would make a note on the account saying that I was going to pay $(amount) on Monday. I told him that is not what I said, and if he put that down, that was his words, not mine.

He then began to talk over me, which aggravated me, and I told him to let me finish. He continued to skew what I was saying and continued to interrupt me. I told him to check his recording for what I said if he wanted to put what I said on the account. I told him I would like to file a complaint for the way I was being treated. When I had asked his name he said it was "Bob S". From the accent, I doubted his name was Bob S, and asked his real name or company ID so I could file a complaint. He said they don't have a company ID or give out their real names.

I asked to speak to his supervisor, and he then gave the phone to a lady standing next to him. I asked her name and she said "Venus." It took several attempts for me to understand this due to the background noise, which sounded like numerous loud conversations, and due to the accent. Venus tried to blame it on my cell phone. Venus reinforced what Bob S said about names and ID's. So I asked for a number wherer I could file a complaint. The number she gave me was routed back to the same place apparently.

This time I was talking to "Jeff". I asked Jeff to give me a number where I could file a complaint, as I knew he would not be able to help me. He gave me a different number, but it was also routed to the same place. Only this time I was taking to "John". I told John I did not think he could help me either, and asked for a supervisor or a number to call to file a complaint. He said he was the person to talk to. I told him that the person who first answers the phone is not who I needed to talk to. I asked who was in charge, and he said they were a team. I told him even a team has a leader, and asked who that was. He was silent, then he said he was checking. I asked how he did not know who was in charge? He then hung up on me. I called back, and the previous "Jeff" answered the phone. I told him I had just spoken with him earlier, and I would do my own research on where I could file a compalint, and hung up.

After paying off the balance, Advanta took, through electronic transfer, 780.00 dollars out of my business checking account

I have contacted Advanta representatives on several occasions; unfortunately, they gave us many reasons as to why my account was reported late although I paid monthly. In addition, while discussing my account with Advanta collection representatives via telephone on several occasions, the telephone was suddenly disconnected when I asked to speak to a supervisor. I am extremely disappointed with customer service at Advanta. Advanta representatives have continuously given me inaccurate information. It is truly disappointing for good and loyal customers to receive such poor customer service. For the past year, I have paid my account monthly; despite, Advantas erroneous credit reporting. I have been spoken to in a very rude manner on several different occasions when we've called in to ask for help; Id been paying my money to someone who I cant trust, and who doesnt appreciate my business. Furthermore, Advantas supervisor refused to return my calls after leaving several message via Advantas representatives and their online website.

I plan to contact my states AG, US Representative, US Senators, Louisiana Attorney General, local media outlets, FDIC, and the Better Business Bureau and asking for their help to deal with Advantas unscrupulous business practices, as I feel I have been treated unethically in regards to our Advantas inaccurate credit reporting.

After months of calling customer service, I finally emailed.

A supervisor from the office called me within three hours to say - we reported the information corrected and the agreement we made stated that you had to make 6 consecutive payment to bring your account current. I was misinformed and plan to fight for justice.

As others have reported I too was enticed by Advanta's "O% Interest for 18 months and then 7.99% fixed APR" on balance transfers when I received several of these promotions for a business card in 2007. I was given a card with a credit limit of $23,000.00 and used the card to get a balance transfer of $18,000. I didn't receive the first month's statement. I phoned the company asking about it and was told because I hadn't made the payment when it was due I forfeited the introductory rate of 0%. The next statement was received with an APR of 7.99%--not 0% but not a bad rate either.

I do most of my banking online and in the beginning I seemed to have a lot of difficulty logging on to the Advanta website to see and pay my account. It has been easier to do that in recent months after the fact. At first they did not have an option of autopay to make sure the minimum payment was received by the due date. The October 2007 statement had a rate of 7.99%, but after that the rate started to escalate, becoming 8.31% in November, 2007, and staying around 8.5% until the end of the year, while all bills were paid on time. Then in January 2008 the rate was doubled to 16.99% for no reason on my part.

When I phoned Advanta customer service (and this was before they were using a call center in India) I was told that they have the right to charge anything they want, but they agreed to lower it and following month it was lowered to 10.09%. The statement of March 4, 2008 also offered the first chance view statements online, something that wasn't available previously. In looking on the 2 years of payments I can see on line it appears I made all my payments online and on time, except for payment that was due April 4, 2008.

I had trouble getting onto the Advanta website--it seems they were working on it at that time which made it unaccessable at times, and the payment was not credited until April 10, 2008, after I phoned customer service and paid amount due plus late fee. Except for that one instance and through 2009, there were no other payments that were not credited when due.

In September the rate was 10.08%, and then it went up by 1% each month thru December when it was 12.18%. The December statement had a payment due of $302.00. That's when things got really bad. Without warning the January 2009 statement had an APR of a whopping 37.18% and payment due of $569.00. Through the rest of the year of 2009 the APR has been around 35% and payments due and paid of over $500.00 each month. When I phoned and got the call center in India I asked if there was a way that my rate could be lowered to something reasonable, that I couldn't afford to pay this and I wanted to talk to his superior at the company. I was told that there was no way that the rate can be lowered and I was given the phone number that turned out to be for a Credit Repair Service.

I opened an Advanta business credit card account almost 2 years ago at 0% for 15 months. This was the best promotional rate I could find on the web and following the promotional rate cards interest rate was 9.9%. during the first 15 months I was two days late with one payment and Advanta reinstated at 0%. following the introductory rate I continued to make payments at the 9.9% rate for approximately 10 months and was late with a second payment. This time I could not believe it when I called to maintain 9.9% rate and was informed that my current rate was 34%! I could not believe this was even legal and was informed that state of Utah allows such practices.

To make a long story short, I only learned about the increased after calling. I promptly took out a loan and paid off the card believing that I had only been scammed for the high interest rate for two months(approximately $600). despite the fact that they have closed all the card accounts, I called recently to explore my options for challenging this theft and learn from the Advanta representative that might interest rate was actually at 34% were nearly a year!

In 2004, I was tasked by my former employer to obtain business credit cards for the officers and owners of Huntley, Nyce and Associates, LTD. We decided to open up a business credit card account with Advanta because it offered a nice cash back feature. The account was advertised as a corporate card and there was nothing in the web based application form that indicated otherwise.

I filled out the form with the companys information as well as providing information on each of the card holders. I left Huntley, Nyce on July 25, 2008 with the account in good standing. In October 2008, I received a phone call from Advanta at my new place of employment. Apparently Advanta got the number from my former employer. Paul, of Advanta, told me that the account was past due and wanted to know when I was going to make payment. I told him that I no longer worked for Huntley Nyce and that he needed to contact them.

He then informed me that I had guaranteed payment on the account and if payment was not made timely it would impact my credit. He indicated that they would sue me personally if they had to.

My complaint is as follows:
1. The account was advertised as a business credit card.
2. The application itself did it make it clear that person filling out the form was also guaranteeing payment. I assumed that since it was advertised as a business card and I provided the business information on the credit card, that the business was responsible for the charges and not any of the individual card holders.
3. There was a hyperlink to the lengthily agreement that I failed to read that did mention I would be the guarantor; this was pointed out to me in October 2008 by Paul. The agreement states the following: (7) in addition to you and the Business, any person to whom a Card is issued is also personally liable for all transactions made with that Card.
4. I am not an officer or owner of the company. I was only acting on behalf of the company to obtain a business card for the companys use.
5. There were six cards active when I left Huntley Nyce on July 25. The account was not closed because I was under the impression it was a Corporate Account. At the time of my departure, the account was currently and in good standing.

7. The balance due relate to charges put on the other cards after my departure from the company. These charges were made without my knowledge, I did not authorize any of them and they did not benefit me in any way. I told this to Advanta and they indicated that I am still liable for the charges.

I feel that the whole credit card application process was deceitful. It was not evident that the person filling out the application form was guaranteeing payment.

Advanta hiked our interest rate in August of 2008 WITHOUT NOTICE! They state that they sent a letter to us giving us the option to either close the account and maintain a 7.99% interest rate, or that the account could remain open but that our interest rate would rise to 19.99%. We never received this letter. Upon receiving the next statement we called to inquire as to why the rate was increased and were told that they sent us a letter giving us the above option and refused to help us in any way. Conveniently, in April of 2009 they closed the account anyway, taking away our line of credit AND sticking us with the 19.99% until the account is paid off. I called and spoke to a supervisor and again, conveniently, once an account is closed they will not work with anyone regarding rates. I am extremely ****** *** about this situation and would recommend that NO ONE DO BUSINESS WITH ADVANTA! I sincerely hope the company goes completely out of business - that is what they deserve.

I dealt with the arbitration department at Advanta when my usual $78/month payment suddenly jumped to over $300/month due to an interest rate increase. The agreed that if I made a one time payment of $1200, they would lower my interest rate again and my payment would be around $55. I took the money frommy college fund and asked for the agreement in writing. I never received it and my minimum payment continued to be around $300/month. I paid the $55/month I agreed to just to continue payments. Now they threaten me with a lawsuit and want to "negotiate" with me again.

We are a small business that has installation crews throughout the country. Advanta credit was the means for which we paid all expenses, lodging, meals and gas. We were shocked to get the letter cutting off our card in less than one week. This news left our employees stranded out of town with no way to pay for their living expenses, no food or motel. Imagine being 1,000 miles from home and not being able to get there. We really had to get creative in order to get money to them, no checks because most places won't take out of state checks.

Advanta is now hounding us to make payments and stay current with them. We will pay off the balance and have never refused to do this. However, the importance of staying current with them is no longer the priority it once was.

Around March or April of 2009 I noticed that the interest rate jumped from around 7% to 31% on my Advanta business credit card account. I have allways paid on time and more then the min. They said they sent me a letter but I never got one. They told me it was too late to opt out and I still have to pay the rate of 31%. Never in all the years I have had a credit card have I had to pay a rate like that. My credit score was in the high 700's to low 800's & they never gave me a reason to this day for the rate hike.

Advanta advised me on the change of rate in interest by my october bill sent out in september. I settled , paid off the account on October 8th, but I was charged the full interest rate although I paid it in full. I wrote letters including the president with a certified letter but no response in 6 months.

I have a somewhat different situation but it still shows advanta banks complete lack of concern or compassion for the average guy who's been struck hard by the current economic crises.

I tried to work with them and explained my situation. For over 20 years I've had excellent credit (750+ FICO) and never missed a single payment. When the housing market crashed it took my home improvement business with it.

I asked Advanta if we could somehow work this out with smaller payments, temporarily, because I'm confident that when the economy springs back, I will be able to make great strides towards paying this debt off in full.

My other credit card issuer accepted this agreement based on my past credit history. As long as I continue to make the smaller payments... They would continue to work with me to get through this tough economic time.

Advanta, instead chose to conduct business as usual. They jacked my interest rates up to the maximum (over 27%) raised my minimum amount due each month, and started adding late fees for the unpaid amount.

When I tried again to make a payment arrangement with them, they finally agreed. But then they took my payment and did not live up to their end of the deal. They left my interest rates high, and continue to add extreme fees to the balance every month.

To make matters worse, they lowered my available credit to less than my current balance, and started slamming me with over the limit fees. I never went over my credit limit, they put me over the limit by lowering my available credit line.

I guess they're within their legal right to do so, because they tell me it was clearly written in one of their change of terms amendments. You know, one of those 10 page, multi folded inserts, typed in a tiny # 4 font, with about 5000 words of legalese, that they slip into your bill every couple of months...

Somewhere in th middle of one of those inserts, it said they could change my rates at any time, for any reason, without notice. And by not paying my entire balance off in full, and closing the account, it meant I agreed to the change in terms.

This bank it the prime example of predatory lending, that has in no small part, led to the financial meltdown in this country, and in the world.

I don't know if my situation makes me eligible to be a part of any class action lawsuit, but I will absolutely give my full support to anyone who has the legal means to bring this company down.

Advanta raised my interest rate to 34.99% even though I have always paid my bill on time and have not gone over the limit. In May, they closed ALL Advanta accounts and notified customers AFTER they had done so. When you try to call to talk to them, you are sent o operators in India, and you cannot get through to an American operator even when you ask for one. I have a balance of $15,244 on my business card. Last month the minimum payment was $560. This month it is $600!!!

My store has used an Advanta card for many years. Periodically over the years they would raise my interest rate for no reason - I would call and they would lower it (not as low as it had been) and 2 years later do it again. Last October, 2008 they raised my interest to 37.99% - again for no reason and my monthly payments jumped from $700 a month to $1300 a month with $300 going on the principle and $1000 on the interest. Needless to say there was no way I could afford these payments so I stopped paying and have been getting phone calls ever since. If they had not done this I would still be paying my bill!!! I have other bills that I am never late on and this whole mess with Advanta has ruined my credit and caused lots of stress in my life. The way I see it - Advanta has ruined themselves by treating their customers this way.

Recently received notice that the funding source for this program was being terminated and that credit card was being cancelled. Received statement and noticed that interest rate was raised to 32.99%. I called and spoke to Anthony (definitely an overseas connection) to request an explanation and a reduction and was told that there was not going ot be any rate reduction even though the account was technically closed. We paid the balance due on this account almost every month that we had this card. There were a few months that we carried a balance and because of some problems paying over the internet (Advanta web site problems) there were payments posted late...we were charged late fees...they did credit one late fee. There was no offer to prorate the annual fee and refund the prorated amount for months the card is not available for use.

I have had an Advanta Bank small business credit card for some time. All payments were made on time and no checks every bounced. Without warning Advanta Bank raised my interest rate from 7.99% to 30.15%. Thay also raised the transaction fee from 3% ($5.00 minimum $50.00 maximum) to 3% with no limit this to was without warning. Customer service in India was rude and of no help. They said a letter was sent out with the new rates although they couldn't prove that and said they were under no obligation to prove it.

I have filed a complaint with the FDIC and the Utah Better Business Bureau. Advanta is based in Utah. I urge everyone that is having problems like this with Advanta Bank and their small business credit card to file complaints with the above mentioned agencies. Let us flood them with complaints. Remember if we let Advanta Bank get away with this other banks will try to do the same.

My business has been using our Advanta charge for over 2 years. 20,000 credit limit 7.9 APR. We rarely carry a balance when we do we pay it off in full the following month. In January 09 our interest rate jumped to 12% and apparently our billing cycle was 21 days. I called, livid to say the least, they were very nice and said they could change our billing cycle to 25 days after the current bill was paid and our interest rate would be reviewed in a month and it was, they lowered it to 7.9 (which we are happy with)

On June 1st I tried to use the card and it wouldn't work (I don't read emails or mail unless it's a bill). I called them and they informed me that they were no longer taking care of small businesses. It was our main charge, 5 of our other cards had been closed due to inactivity (because we were loyal Advanta customers). It was a rush to get new cards and extended credit limits and lower interest rates on the cards we still did have. No one is willing to work with us on the 17+ APR's they outrageously charge.

I would have appreciated a phone call and more notice, I also don't understand why they didn't review their 999,000 accounts and keep the ones that paid their bills. I haven't recieved my final bill yet, I know the balance is around 6,000 and I won't be surprised if they lowered my credit limit and raised my interest. If there is a class action suite I would love to be involved.

Much like the endless pages of complaints list herewithin, we made the mistake of completing an application for the infamous "0%" interest credit card, which we used for a "short-term payment on a piece of equipment purchased at $10,000.00. We missed a payment, and the interest rate went to 34.9% at one point. From that point on, we were contiued to make our monthly payments actullay "caught-up" the account.

Recently, we found that we have been paying off huge interest charges that did not go down when we were caught-up, plus overage charges they impart and astronomical "other" fees. Therefore, to date we have paid appx. $14,000 in two years on $10,000 in principle. Futhermore, they are demanding a final payment of an additional $9,330. This means we will have paid over double the amount of the principle on this account when settled.

I have dealt with the company before when I ran another small construction company, and the same thing occurred, ie sent interminent statments, would not return calls, balances constanlty changed with each rep you spoke with, etc. They always have a handy excuse for all their faults.

Lastly, in December 2008, we missed another payment and the total principle amount went on my spotless credit rating and they sent a letter in May 2009, a week after I spoke to a rep at Advanta to see why they soiled my credit. This is the first notice of this action I recieved. My question at this point is what are others doing about this shame of a "bank"? Do we need a class action suit filed on our behalfs? I am tired of being taken "Advanta" (advantage of?

I spoke with an Advanta rep today and they will settle for 85% of what remains that we supposedly owe. When the bank is being shut-down, for at best poor practices, will we still need to pay? What is our goverment doing about this -- other than taxing the portion that Advanta is willing to let me keep in the 85% seetlement. I called my congressman, and he stated that legally he cannot get involved. That sounds like even poor banks still have money in politians pockets. HELP US SOMEONE!

When I called Advanta, they cited other account activity (no other creditor has increased my rates) and my appeal as a "faithful" customer who always paid as agreed, fell on deaf ears. Too bad they are "buring their bridges" with good customers. Interest charges went from $60 p/ mo to over $200. Very short notice of account closure, no notice of increase to default rate.

As a business owner who is trying to do the right thing, this kind of criminal behavior by a credit card company is ludicrous. The legislation recently passed does NOTHING to protect the credit card consumer. Unfortunately, when you are in business, sometimes you need credit, but after I get my debt paid off, I will never have more than one card with a small credit line. This is only going to keep small business in America from moving forward and serving the country.

Closed credit line with only 5 days notice...then returned auto drafts on my account.

One was Brinks Security - another was Verizon and another was HughesNet. This impacted my SECURITY, INTERNET ACCESS AND TELEPHONE!!! This also put a "closed by issuer" on my credit report and caused multiple new credit inquiries to obtain a replacement. All this has lowered all of our credit scores!!!

I have identity Theft protection and I get credit updates and quartely report from Discover card so why am I not have problems with them. So far I am waiting to see what scam they are planning and I keep making my monthly payments as always. As a business person my credit is very important to me and to just have my credit limited all of a sudden has impacted a foolish strain on my business.

We just got a collections call yesterday informing us that our Advanta credit card is $3k in arrears... the problem is, our nonprofit agency never HAD any Advanta credit card!

When we told the collections firm this, they informed us the card was fraudulently opened by a former employee who listed our company name with her home address. Upon contacting Advanta's "Fraud Department" to complain, we were informed that only the ex-employee can report any fraud on this account, and the supervisor likewise stated that Advanta will accept no further calls from us on this matter.

When we questioned how or why a bonafide small business credit card company would open a company account without even verifying the business address, the supervisor retorted that the company has "no obligation" to check out whether the business even exists "because liability on all our accounts is based on social security numbers." (And since the ex-employee used her own social security number, Advanta says they will not pursue our nonprofit for payment, although clearly they already tried.)

The "Fraud Department" at Advanta stated that they have no intention of referring this matter to law enforcement nor to the credit reporting agencies, saying it's our problem, not theirs.

They cancelled the credit card for our business as their bank was bought out. This in itself was inconvenient but fine.

17.9 after closing all of the accounts!!!!!!!! Without any notice.

Private citizen, Advanta Credit Card holder, Unlawfull raising of credit card rates now up to 35.18% Never paid late, always paid more than minimum, now in dispute with company. My credit report scores have been adversely affected Now layed off from job, on unemployment. I need help on stopping this company from arbitrary and capricious actions!

By giving them a grace period, credit card companies can do anything to us without notice until any new rules take place. I will now have to delay spending elsewhere to pay the full balance on my Advanta card. There will be no extra spending at my office any time soon as I cannot trust the law to protect my interests.

Advanta cancelled my business account with virtually no notice after charging what probably is illegally high interest rates. I think the highest allowed in any state is 24% but Advanta was charging me over 35% at one time.

i was looking at my three credit reports and on the last credit report i looked at which was trans union it said advanta credit card company and i started looking at this really hard because i had never had an advanta credit card and it said on the credit i owed them 10000 dollars and it said that i had january 1 2008 and they closed the account nov 1 2008 but i have never even applied for this credit and i never got any type of statement or anything,i wish someone would help me getout of this mess with out costing me a fortune

The small business credit card I acquired started out with a 7.9% rate. All payments were paid on time. One month I didn't receive a statement. I recvd a call concerning the missed payment. I explained no statement was rcvd and promptly paid over the phone. The next statement my rate was 27.99%. When I called, they said I was a greater credit risk due to the late payment. Apx 3 months later it jumped to 35.99%. When I called they said it due to the current economic climate.

On May 27 I rcvd a notice that they were suspending further activity on their small business credit card accounts effective immediately, and closing them entirely on May 30. The also lowered available credit limits to the current balance on the account plus $500 effective on May 22. The interest payment alone is now $525, so their manipulation of the interest rate & available credit limit ahs put my account over limit.

So now they are charging me an "over limit" fee of $25. This is out & out robbery. Don't banks have some type of ethical banking practices they have to follow. I may have to go out of business or file bankruptcy.

On Friday May 29th , our small Real Estate company received a letter stating that Advanta was closing our business accounts, due to the fact that other business owners had defaulted on their loans and the trust that funds their company will stop funding Advanta. We have several reoccurring items that come out of our Advanta accounts, they give you less than 36 hours to make all the changes needed, secure other lines of credit, and make sure that things continue as a small company. We were really blind sided by this, how are we supposed to run a company, when Advanta can just default on their end of the deal?

We have paid our balance off in full monthly and have been model borrowers, this is just unfair for people out here that's doing the right thing and making an honest living! The consequences are dire, we are in the middle of several projects that need funding, we also have reoccurring payments set up through the Advanta, and this will severely hurt our company in more than one way!

The next day, I go to my PO box and find a letter that they mailed out over Memorial Day weekend to the same effect. The letter was dated May 22nd (the day before a long holiday weekend when many people take holiday and go out of town). This is absolutely unprofessional and fraudulent in my opinion. Advanta is messing with people's credit!

On 5-27 I received the notification letter from Advanta that they are closing my business credit card account along with 999,999 other small businesses. The letter was dated 5-22, the Friday before a holiday weekend. The effective date of the closure is Saturday, May 30 although their FAQ says 5-29 is the last day it can be used. I called to ask for an extension of time and was refused any extension. I have 14 automatic payments on my credit card each month plus a few more that are quarterly or annual. They've left me about 36 hours to 1. get a new credit card and 2. notify all of the automatic payment vendors. My first automatic payments are due to bill on June 1st.

I cannot tell you how happy I am to have found this site-the current economic situation has left my husband and me scared, worried and hopeless and my dealings with Advanta almost sent me over the edge because I initially felt it was my fault! I got my card two years ago at zero percent for a balance transfer and paid it on time religiously for the first six months; the interest rate then went up to 7.99%. Then, like a fool I didn't really look at my bill until I noticed that even though I was paying almost $400 dollars a month, my total amount owed stayed the same. Advanta had upped my interest rate to 37.99%!!!

When I called them they informed me that it was because my Fico score was no longer suitable for the lower rates that their company offered, plus, that I had been late with a few payments. Well, I immediately did my homework: my Fico score from all three credit bureaus averaged 720 and I had NEVER made a late payment! I called back (to India) and asked to speak to a manager whereupon I was screamed at by a very rude man and told that he could answer all of my questions and to stop wasting his time. When I informed him that my Fico score was well above the 700 mark, he yelled that there were other extenuating circumstances, that they were dropping my limit from 12,000 to 2,000 and hung up on me.

I called back again to protest this and was informed that a letter had been sent out containing all of this information (I never received ANY LETTER!!!!) My husband and I are now about to sit down and try to figure out just how much money Advanta has cheated us of. Another interesting thing I noticed: they seem to be calling their usurious finance charges cash advances and then charging interest on them AGAIN!!!! HOW this company is allowed to continue is beyond me-oh but wait-now my husband informs me that they have informed all customers that they have discontinued service on all small business cards.... unbelievable!!!! It will be a crime if there is not some kind of class action suit against this company....

They more than doubled my finance charge from 14 to 31%. Phone calls, letters and emails got me nowhere even though my payments were always on time. Sometimes I carried a high balance and sometimes I was paid off. At the time, the increase raised my interest rates from about $250 a month to over $500. I transferred the balance, changed all my automatic payments to other sources, and I'm glad they're getting out of the small business credit card business.

Several hundred dollars paid in excess interest for no reason they could give me. Luckily I had a card I could transfer the balance to. Much stress over having to deal with people who would give me no answers.

This company is fraudulent and deceives their customers with low interest rate offers and then jacks them up without good cause. Why should those of us who've never missed a payment, paid well over the minimum requested well before the due date be made to suffer for those customers who don't pay their bill? Thank goddess Obama is taking action against these predatory lenders and shame of you Advanta for being cowards and closing you business before you can be held accountable. Advanta should be sued and made to pay back the good people who've been extorted by having to pay high interest in order to maintain good credit.

My normal credit line was 10,500 and the balance is 10,462.58 after interest, purchases and fees. The new credit line is 10,104.00 giving me a negative 322.00 credit limit thus not they can charge all these overlimit fees etc. I think a class action is in order and it's funny all this took place after the feds passed the bill to help consumers. Some help that was.

BANKS and CREDIT CARD co's business models are BROKEN for a reason. The methods of doing business with the average citizen would make the mafia proud. STEALING the middle class wealth with the help of our SENATORS and CONGRESS has done more damage to AMERICAN than ***** *** *****. The biggest threat to our way of life is not terrorism, it is our GOVT who allows this to happen.

They raised my interest rate to 37.99. I never missed a payment. My credit was perfect with them. I recently paid the whole balance off to get ride of them. I feel as if they stole from me. Big time. They are horrible. They are criminal.

As a small business owner, I have about $10'000 balance on advanta with 0% promotion rate. It was 2008 Feb, I was on a trip overseas and missed one payment. My wife noticed me from international call that advanta keep calling. I responded immediately, and had explained the situation, and since I never had any late record, I request a credit back the late fee, the lady was nice, told me everything is took care of. Also, I set a recruiting online payment from my bank right away.

Since everything is automatic payment, I didn't pay too much attention on what's going on, until few month later I noticed that my balance didn't change too much even I made way more than min-payment. Clicked the details that I found out, they refunded my $39 late fee, but instead of 0%, it now 35.49%.

I was madly calling customer service and they told me they can't do anything, and they have been mailed to me for notice which we never seen in mail. They charged me almost $300 every month for barely a year, and try to convince me it's what I deserve? Now the new credit card bill of right will come out, and then decide to close all the accounts that they had taken very unfair advantages.

I would like to mirror all the complaints about ADVANTA that have been written and wonder with all these complaints about the underhanded tactics by this company that someone or some lawyer hasn't thought that a class action lawsuit might be in the offing to at least maybe get a piece of their hide as our form of justice. We should case these LEGAL LOANSHARKS straight into HELL where they belong.

They missied sending me a monthly statement and then jacked my rate to 30% from 8%. They refuse to work with you. Everything is your fault. They are unresonable and preditory. All calls get directed to India. You can never get someone on the phone who has authority to make decisions. Still ongoing going to stop payment no sense in paying that kind of finance charge it's three times what you were paying and nothing goes to what is owed please do something about this runaway company

I'm a medical professional (dentist) with an A-1 credit rating.I advise no one use their Advanta card or sign up for one.Their stock has dropped from $34 to 75 cents for a reason. I used an Advanta "Rewards" card issued by the nation's largest medical products and equipment supplier. My records show I paid Advanta 61 consecutive (over 5 years) statements IN FULL and on time. The 62nd ended up in a place having nothing to do with bills needing to be paid. I happened across it by accident, saw it was 8 days past due, and immediately called customer no service (India).I explained the problem,asked for the total balance that included charges since the statement closing date. I immediately paid that in full, creating a zero balance. That check cleared my bank acct 11 days past the statement due date. Not only did they show no customer good will by waiving the gouge fees, they sent a negative report to one of the Big 3 credit reporting agencies (for my not paying the minimum $10 on time).

Since high school I've required hundreds of thousands in loans. All were paid off early, and never ever a negative credit report or gouge fee except by these jerks.I wrote to the CEO demanding the the credit report be removed. It was turned over to some woman within feet of his office. She started her letter with condolences for my disappointment, and then a statement that her letter should satisfy my "concerns". She then proceeded to lecture me how I should pay on time, then pointed out that in the contract (who reads those?)that they reserved the right to file negative reports. Well, that didn't satisfy my "concerns".

I contacted the medical products office of the CEO.They were astounded I was treated this way.I said I couldn't do business with anyone doing business with Advanta.Over two decades I've spent tens of thousands with this company buying and having them maintain equipment, plus monthly supply needs. I just got word the supplier is dumping Advanta.

For months I have had a zero balance and have repeatedly called and sent many letters or signed notes requesting account closure.

I am being totally ignored. When I call they either say they will do it or they need a signed letter. Their only record of phone calls shows a notation saying I will discuss closing my account with my spouse and will let them know. They say they have never received any signed letters or notes from me. I authorized them to allow my spouse to act in my behalf yet they also refuse her closure requests. Twice we have both been on the phone talking to them and requesting the account be closed.

I operate a small business in St. Louis, MO. Advanta Bank provides me with a small business line of credit through credit card services. I use the credit line rarely and when I do I don't abuse my line of credit of $20,000. In January I took a client on a trip and used the credit card to keep track of expenses. I charged roughly $2800 on my card during the trip. Advanta raised my annual percentage rate from 19% to 38% after I had used the card and would not provide any detailed explanation for why they took this action. After 4 months of trying to get an explanation I have given up. They have lowered my credit line now to $2800 and I'm sure once I submit the payment in full they will cancel the card.

I just read 73 pages of consumer business complaints against Advanta. Everything that was said happened to me so no sense repeating. I have had perfect credit and Advanta still managed to raise the interest rate to 37.99% and it was impossible to talk to anyone who spoke good english. I made offers to pay them off, took bank loans to pay them off, was still overcharged and the rate jacked up for no reason. 3,000I refused to pay them and then they started calling me. I just hung up on them and told them unless someone with authority could call me, I will no longer pay them or communicate with them. I did contact FISC which is a financial service and they suggested I pay them off at 0% interest at $490 per month. I have been doing that since late 2008. However, most of the charges were for late fees, high interest charges, etc. As most of the others, I was never late and paid much more than the minimum. I am seriously considering dropping the arrangement with FISC and just not pay them anymore. I feel like I have been cheated by them and their shady business scam and do not want to pay them another dime.

Like many others... rate jacked to 35.99%. have always paid my bill they have no cause. Also Advanta cannot and will not produce our orginal application or agreement to review. Advanta is abusive and deceptive in their business practices.

I can't believe it. I spent an hour typing a letter complaining about Advanta and it didn't go thru? Or does the complaint form automatically pop up after a complaint is submitted

I have had this card for 2 years and only used it once for a balance transfer, which I have been paying off (on time) every month since. I have AutoPay set up through my bank (because Advanta does not offer this service) to ensure that payments are made on time every month. Payments are sent from my bank account on the 14th of every month, and my credit card payment is due on or about the 20th. Advanta is now claiming that my last payment was late, even though it cleared my checking account before the due date. The due date was not on a business day, and apparently they did not process my payment until the next business day. The funds were issued from my bank account prior to the due date, yet Advanta will not reverse the $39 late fee or reinstate the 2.99% interest they promised to honor until the balance transfer was paid off. They are currently charging me the "default" rate of 34.99%.

I received the statement showing the late fee on 5/1. I called on the next business day and spoke to Angel, who I could not understand, so I asked to speak with someone else. After putting me on hold for about 20 minutes, she informed me that there was no one available, but a manager would call me back "within 24 business hours". I confirmed that they are open 12 hours a day on weekdays, and calculated the day and time I could expect a call by. I did not get a call back until over 3 days had passed, and the only information Christina left was her name and the 800 number. I called back that day and spoke to Brian, Moses (2 times), Angel (an additional 2 times), and finally a manager, Cheryl.

Everyone I spoke to just told me the payment was received after the due date, and there was nothing they could do. None of the 4 people I spoke to was able to explain to me how the billing cycle and payment due date are determined, so that I could set up my AutoPay correctly to make sure they always receive their payment in plenty of time. All I learned was that the billing cycle is 29-32 days long, and that it does not correlate with the number of calendar days or business days into the month.

I just contacted Advanta to request a lower interest rate. I told the rep that what they are doing is legalized extortion. I was told that they will not even consider lowering the interest rate. This company is guilty of "bait and switch" tactics".

I will not pay a dime until they agree to work with me instead of against me. The government needs to put in place NATIONAL laws that cap interest rates. Let's call them as much as their collection dept. calls us. maybe they will get the message that WE are not going to let Advanta extort money from us. WE need to show them that WE are not going to take their abuse any longer.

As far as our credit scores...in today's economy it's understandable if your credit score is lower than before..so don't let Advanta scare you with threats about your credit score. At least that's my position

Last August I was coaching football and was late with a payment.I am very busy in the Fall and I was in a different part of the State. I have perfect credit and never was ever late ever on any payment. I could only talk to someone in India or distant land. This payment was 3 hours late.I found this out later.Advanta raised my APR to 37% from 7% The company I was working for was not doing well and I had cosigned on the credit card to keep everything afloat.

I told them no way was i paying 37%. I wrote at least 5 letters and 6 faxes. I have kept them all. I never was able to communicate with the same person twice. I did get a hold of a man who took $95.00 over the phone amd promised to lower the rate and get things back to normal. They took my $95.00 and nothing changed. I have had over $2,000.00 in penalties and intrest since. They were calling for a while. I then kept calling them and it stopped. I know they ruined my credit as they promised. They were more than threatening over the phone.

I pushed further and they said I had bad credit on my Equafax report. I ran the report myself and it only shows 1 30 day late pay, and that late pay was due to Advanta not paying the balance transfer to Bank of America in a timly manner almost 2 years ago (the balance transfer was paying off the B of A account) I made one payment after the balance tranfer to B of A and thought Advanta would have payed sooner. Now I will have a negitive on my credit report from Advanta closing my account. after my 27 years of having a perfect credit report I have 2 negitaves caused by them.

It's a shame that this company can get away with gouging and ripping off small businesses like this. Believing their advertising of being a card and a company helping the needs of small businesses I applied and received my Advanta card at a rate of 7.99%. Every thing was fine for about 18 months. I made regular payments which were always much greater than the minimum. My next statement showed that my interest rate was jacked to 32%.

I caled them and got the rediculous excuse that they had sent a notice stating that they were about to change the rate and if I continued to use the card after a certain date it ment that I accepted the rate change. Knowing that I never received such a notice (I save everything!) I asked them to resend the notice,which they did. Sure enough I never saw this notice before. Buried within all of the legaleeze was the statement about the rate change. What a sneaky trick!

I called them back and got a payoff figure and date. I proceeded to pay them off and close the account. Then they had the gall to call me and ask why I was closing the account! I don't know what reason they entered but I'm sure it was not the response that I gave. Another sad thing is that I recommended the account to another contractor friend of mine and guess what? They did the same thing to him almost 18 months to the day. I hope someone sues them out of existance and forces them to make reparations.

The same thing has happened to me. Without cause or written notice they more than tripled my interest rate. We need to put a stop to this. Please visit the Federal Trade Commission website and under Consumer Complaints click on File a Complaint. Also please look into seeing if there is a class action suit pending against them so that everyone who has been scammed by Advanta can sign up with.

my story is the same as others. advanta is charging a rate of 34.99% interest. What bandits. I wish there was something we could do about it.

I was recently bit by Advanta's rate hike surprise, and it has been a nightmare trying to work with them for the past 8 months. In August of 2008, I made a clerical error on a payment and sent $300 instead of $400 on a monthly payment. The account had never been paid late or over-limit in the past. When the next statement came in, I noticed a past due warning and a new interest rate of some-odd 24% from the normal 8%. I immediately called (apparently India) to explain the error, and made an immediate payment of the $100 over the phone. They agreed to credit back the $39 late fee and said my rate would go back down and show on the following month's statement. The following statement did not show a lower rate.

I made contact again and they said at that time they could not change the rate, even after I explained what they had verbally promised me when I corrected the previous error. They said to call back in a few weeks and they might be able to lower it. In good faith, I continued to pay on my account through another billing cycle, until I noticed 2 months later that the rate had jumped up to 37%! Outraged, I called to find out why and to ask if they were supposed to give me some form of notice before raising my rate (which they say they did, but I never received). They couldn't give me an answer why (or is was some BS like because of the economy) and said they couldn't lower it.

After a couple months and MANY calls with them, they still wouldn't budge. They claim that Utah (where they are located) doesn't have to give notice and doesn't have a usury limit and they repeatedly yelled at me, threatened to sue me and take my assets, and harassed me by calling 2 or 3 times a day for a couple months after I stopped paying them (I refuse (and can't) to pay at this inhuman rate). All the while, they've been charging me interest and tacking on late fees, which now also come with over-limit fees because their $500+ of interest every month has topped off the account. They are now offering me a lower 10% fixed rate and a credit on the account of $900, which they claim is half of the extra interest that they've charged at the higher rate (that's some fuzzy math!).

They continue to call and tell me that I better take this offer or I'm going to get sued and will have to pay all kinds of legal fees and lose assets, etc. When I tell them that this will likely drive me into BK, they love to state that they will get money out of me even through BK, so I should just take their offer. What a bunch of crooks! Do I have any recourse here? I want them to fix my account at the old rate, credit back the late fees and the difference of the interest that they charged at 37% and now 33%, and stop harassing me. Their slogan says they are here to help small business and we're here for you, but it sure doesn't feel like it.

Countless hours have been lost trying to work out a deal with Advanta. They've also woken us up on numerous occasions, not to mention the continual threats they continue to make. They have pushed our account beyond which we can reasonably pay (especially in these tough economic times), and will likely cause us to file for BK. They have caused emotional distress pushing my hypertension to the point in which I have now been instructed to medicate by my doctor. They have even made weird comments about how they will use their phone recordings against me in court, but I can't use them if I want. That doesn't sound legal to me.

Lured in by 0% 12 month transfer and 7.99% after on $8000. After one of my internet payments posts the morning after the due date, my rate jumps to 39.9%! I hope the new laws that go into effect stop this crime spree. I'm trying to come up with money that I dont have just to close this card and get this company out of my mind. They need to go out of business from this unethical nonsense.

Same story as everyone else. Started with $9,000 credit line with 7.99%. Never late,no credit problems - now my rate is over 30%. I'm just trying to pay my balance as quick as possible.

The address that the knives were shipped to was not the billing address on the card.

This was a HIGHLY uncharacteristic charge that should have been flagged by Advanta. To say that they have been unsympathetic is being kind.

Over $4000.00 in fraudulent charge, my business is now suffering in the recession, the card has been frozen and the $4000.00 charge has raised my minimum payment to a level I cannot pay.

payments because I could not afford them. I cannot believe that they can get away with these types of practices and nothing can be done about it. This is outrageous!

I just got ambushed by Advanta with the highest interest rate I've ever experienced in any type of financial transaction in my life: 34.99 percent! I had transferred more than $7000 about a year ago at the promotional interest rate of 0.0 percent, understanding that the rate would increase to 9.9 percent at the end of the promotional period. This seemed reasonable to me, so I started paying down the balance and sometimes using the card (a Small Business Platinum Card) for business-related travel and purchases, and even once took a cash advance I was well aware that the advance would be subject to a higher interest rate, but I was prepared for that.

What I was NOT prepared for was the 34.99 percent rate that appeared on my Mar. 27 statement. When I called customer service, I was offered the lower but still outrageously high rate of 27.99 percent. My credit is not perfect, and I have missed one payment deadline with Advanta. But I still do not believe that either rate is acceptable, and it is certainly contrary to the practices of most banks and credit-card companies, who are perfectly willing to negotiate reasonable rates with good customers. I'm outraged.

We were running into a problem with finances and called in advance of a payment being due to advise that we would be a couple weeks late. We had previously advised 3 months prior that the business was closing (dissolved 12/31/08) and that we wanted to make arrangements to resolve our debt personally before a problem arose.

Our interest rate was increased from 7.99% to 27.99%. We 'opted out' in Sept 08 according to their terms and Advanta acknowledged this, closed our account and reduced our rate back to 7.99%. As I said above we contacted them prior to being late on our February payment and in return received an automatic increase back to 27.99%. I guess I don't understand what the point of the 'opt out' was? This company is in the loan sharking business period. We have a lot of written correspondence showing our attempts to amicable resolve and be responsible consumers. They only want the 27.99% or more.

The same story as everyone else. I have never been late with a payment. I have never gone over my limit. Advanta arbitrarily increased my interest rate to over 20% last August and recently to over 30%. Without any written notice. I inquired about this. They told me I was a high risk for going into default. I make my payment online. I was not aware of the interest rate hike.

Paying over 20% interest on over a 10,000.00 balance caused considerable economic damage.

Advanta finally started using its its mafiso - like tactics on me also. I had a credit limit of $25,000 and transferred a two other accounts to take advantage of the 7.9 rate. After almost a year of payments at $500 a month, they decided to jack my rate up to 22.9 for no apparent reason. This resulted in a monthly payment of $625. I haven't missed or been late on any payments and my FICO is over 700. I cant pay this and have decided to quit remitting monthly payments at all.

I know this will crush my credit score but I don't really have any other options. HOWEVER, I just checked with Experian and Transunion and Advanta apparently does not report to either credit bureau, (or I got lucky) there is no history of my account with them at all. Has anyone else checked their credit reports? It takes two years for a traffic ticket ticket to make its way thru the court system here in Dallas. In 7 years all credit problems are expunged. Don't pay them or file for bankruptcy protection!

I have had this account for many years and never missed a payment or be late. My rate was 7.9 and without reason it went to 14.9 then 19.9 then 25.9 then 30.9 then after to 34.9. All the time I was making my payment online and was never notified that my rate was increasing. I only found out because my balance was not going down after making $400.00 payments. My balance was $13.000.00 my credit limit was $15.000.00 and I was getting hit with $300 to $350 a month finance charge.

When I called them about this I got no explanation as to why my rate went up, and there was nothing they could do about it. They also claimed that they sent me a notification in the mail every time the rate went up. I informed them that I never got such a notification in the mail, she told me that they are not responsible for the Post Office. I transfered my balance aver to other cards, and paid off the card completely, something I could have done at any time if I had somehow been notified my rate went up, and I could have avoided all those fees . Two month later they closed my account and in addition Forfeited my cash back balance (Rewards) as well. Please note that this is a slimed down version of all the times I have called and have been trying to resolve this nightmare of a company.

Total of about 1709.60 in 2008 and about 1689.74 in 2007. My Credit Score has dropped due to the closing of the account for no reason. I have been very stressed and anxious and have lost lots of sleep which has effected my every day life including my performance at work and daily activity in general.

I was offered a credit card by Advanta when I Incorporated my business. I received an offer to expand my business and was given a 7.99% for the life when I used the check. I noticed in January the rate went up to 16.99%, when I called them they said I used the wrong check and their is nothing they can do about it.

This month I received my statement and the interest rate went up to 29.99%. I called customer service and was sent to India. I asked how can the rate go up I have paid all payments early to them. She said they reviewed my credit report and after that review they increased the rate. I should have opted out of a higher interest rate when they sent the letter to me. I communicated I never received the letter and she said they are not responsible for the mail. I asked to speak to a manager and she said no one could speak to me and she would have him call me back.

I pulled my credit report and in reviewing it all accounts are in good standing and I have no negatives reported. I then went to the internet to see if anyone complained and learned this is common pratice for this company. It is the same story good credit triple the payment by increasing rates without notice and force people who have good credit to not be able to pay their bills. This is a criminal act and the executives of this company should be charged as such

So far the damage is over $750 and now I have to come up with the money to pay them off. I cannot afford payments like this and keep my good credit standing. I run a small business and have employees I cannot be forced to lay some of them off in this economy.

I will make it simple and staight to the point. Taking a card from Advanta was the worst thing i ever did.I applied and got a business card at 7.99 % variable. I am tired of Advanta taken advantage of me like those of you and will file a complaint to the authorties. I will no longer pay payments that are unjustfied. I have cancelled my card and am ready to take this to the courts. There is no reson for them to hike rates when there is no reason to.I have never been late and now i am paying three quarters of my payment in interest.These people wont even reson with you. A law suit is eminent.

My business depended on the card at the 7.99 percent. This hiking of the credit card has almost ruin me.I canot find anyone in banking or credit card business to help me out. It looks like i will have to file bankrupsy evidentially. I find this greed atrocious.I sent them a cashiers check for $9000.00 (took out a second lean to my house) so i could reduce my interest rate but it didnt affect a thing. I would appreciate what ever you can do for me.

In others times, Advanta would be charged with usury. Following a recommendation in Smart Money magazine, I opened a business account with Advanta. Within 6 months, my guaranteed rate of 7.99% had risen to 14.99% without explanation. Approximately six months later, as I was buying up machinery on their credit card, I went 5$ over my limit. This jumped my rate to 29.99%. Subsequently, the economy has taken a nosedive, and made it very difficult to keep up on their outrageous fees. On several occasions, in dealing with their call centers in India, I have been assured that either a late fee ($39.00) or a payment by phone fee ($12.00) would be credited back to my account. They conveniently lose track of these agreements almost every time.

Of all the credit card companies I have ever dealt with, Advanta has been the MOST predatory, and unscrupulous. Despite maintaining a perfect payment record (until their ridiculous rate hike to 29.99%), Advanta has been far from customer friendly. They have failed to keep their word on numerous occasions, and have cost me thousands in unwarranted interest. Advanta is a perfect candidate for a federal investigation into usury practices!

We have been an Advanta Card holder for 6 years, never missed a payment, never any late payments. Our interset rate was increased to over 30% for no apparent reason, with no letter explaining why the increase. We have realized that Advanta has decided they will try to get extra money from its customers that they can depend on, the ones with excellent credit. Advantas greed will be their downfall. We have emailed them about this matter, since talking to a CSR is useless. We have decided to stop paying the loan shark known as Advanta Bank Corp. until they lower the interest rates back to what they were.

Damaged credit and thousands over dollars overpaid in a time of economic crisis.

A Guaranteed 7.99% interest rate on credit + balance transfers from other credit cards. I consolodated all business debts in good faith with a very high credit rating, and two months later my 7.9% was shifted to 31.99%. No explaination from Advanta other than economy is bad. I trtansferred the debt to another company at 2.99%. My issue ios all but resoleved save for the the near $3,000 transfer charge and interest PAID to Advanta. Note: This joke of a smasll business credit card company just sent me a new notice to encourage me at 1.99%. ANyone in their right mind would NOT do this. Advanta BAnk COrp are LIARS and they are protected by the lack of consumer lending laws. They are not doing anything illegal, but the7y do NOT DESERVE OPNE DIME OF HONEST MONEY. AVOID THEM.

Financial damage: 3% transfer rate and three months of interest at 31.99%.

My story is much like others listed here. Promised 0% interest for 12 months... next thing I know I'm paying 36% on $20,000... Oh gee sir, you must have done something wrong... Bull#$#$! Someone needs to do something about this bank.

We lost several thousand dollars before we could pay off that card. Then they kept finding ways to not allow us to payoff the account and continually charged us late fees and other charges... What a rip off!!!!

Advanta has broken several regulations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. I have written proof and recorded conversations. I would like to start a class action suit. I have already filed a complaint with the FTC regarding their practices.

I received a credit offer from Advanta, which was supposedly recommended for small businesses by SMART MONEY. I accepted the offer at a fixed interest rate of 10.9% for both purchases and cash advances for the life of the loan. I took advantage of the offer and transferred some higher interest debt to this lower interest card. Throughout I have had excellent payment and management history so I was intrigued when I noticed that my monthly payments had increased and that my total balance had not changed.

I proceeded to review all statements and noticed that the APR rate had been raised arbitrarily from 10.9% to 19.9% to 21.9% over a six month period. Needless to say I was appalled. I called their customer service number and after 20 minutes of waiting I spoke to someone in India. He followed a script and could not explain to me why my interest rate was raised other than my account was evaluated and that I posed higher risk. I requested to speak to a supervisor several times for an explanation and was absolutely denied. I was also advised that as of March 18th my rate would go even higher, to a usurious 34.5% I have been a multiple credit card holder for over 30 years. I have exellent credit history.

My credit score is 770!! I have been a small business owner for over twenty five years operating my latest business in an established Beverly Hills location for over twenty years. This clearly does not represent a higher risk!!! It is disturbing to me that being a well-established customer with perfect payment and management history I would be treated in such unprofessional manner. I understand the Financial Institutions position in being weary of the customer repaying their debt, especially in times like these, but I would think that raising the interest rate to a ridiculous 35%, in some cases even 37%, would be not only counterproductive but also downright abusive.

I would assume that working with the customer to repay their debt would be to their advantage, unless of course, they would have an ulterior profitable motive to have the customer default. This is looking to me like one more of the schemes that are out there profiting off of unsuspecting people. I see many similar complaints about this particular Institution. Why hasn't anyone started a class action lawsuit? If anyone is interested please refer to http://creditcardextortion.com/ for further information.

i dont know what the laws for intrest rate are but its seems to me that in todays ecenomic to charge 34.999% intrest is to much and shoud be against the law.

Ive been a hard working school teacher and citizen and paid my bills on time. Ive called Advanta several times in the past and asked if my interest rate can be reduced from 35% to a lower interest rate. Time and time again I have been declined. I sold my jewelry including my wedding ring just to help pay Advanta. I told them about this but they dont care just as long as they can continue to line their pockets. As a Baby Boomer, I would never have dreamed in a million years that I would be in this position because of greed.

My husband is a builder and as you know the housing industry can make or break the economy, but right now, consumers are not building because of the economy. Going to financial counseling, is not the answer for us right now, because if we did, my husband would not have the financial resources to continue building when the economy picks back up. Now, we face loosing our home that he built and everything else we worked so hard for, and it hurts!

In July 2008, I took advantage of one of their promotional offers for 0% balance transfer for 12 months. My August and September they stated I paid late and the promtiona offer was removed and they were not able to reinstate the offer. I noticed on my statement the due dates changed every month. Since then my interest rate keep going up from 7.99% to 32.18% with no warning or explanation. I got tired of working with them,it is a nightmare for small business who are trying to make a living. I decided to pay off the balance in FULL for the amount of $4539.68 on 2/18/09. I received my March statement and I was billed their interest charge and fee of $39.33 which I already had pay off in FULL with ZERO balance. Advanta has a history of using deceptive and misleading business practices. This kind of credit card company need to be shut down.

I have been A Advanta Busissness Card holder sine 9/11/2007. I took advantage of a o% fixed APR for 16 months with a fixed 7.99% APR thereafter. I transfered a balance from another bank card. l have paid on time all the while. Last May 2008 l noticed that the rate for purchases...not having used the card ever...and even though l had not yet been charged any interest, was changed from 0% to 19.99%. A reply to an inquuiry I made via the internet stated that based om a variety of factors and as a result of thier review, my rate was changed to 20.080%. When l contacted a Ms. Janet at customer service to explain that l was neither delinquent or late with any of my personal or business creditors, negating the variety of factors: she weas kind enough to return my 7.99% APR rate for the future.

December 2008 statement I was assigned a late fee for supposedly being one day late and my rinterest rate went up to 22.18%. When my 0%rate was about to expire and the 7.99% rate was to be placed on my account, my payment was LATE by ONE DAY. My November payment was sent just like any other payment I made to Advanta and other creditors, that is, at least one week before the due date mailed directly at the US Post Office. I never had any late payments either personal or business before that time.

When l contacted customer service via telephone concerning this situation, the representitive who identified himself as Gregg(an outsourcedperson in India) informed me that the best he could do was lower to 16.99%. I told him that was not acceptable and asked to speak to a supervisor in the USA. after much delay(I suppose they thought I would hang up in frustration), I spoke to a Ms. Alma (#4306) who was extremely rude and refused to help me in any way saying my payment was recieved on the 8th (the day due) and posted on the 9th making it late. She recinded the 16.99% offer by Gregg in Inda saying she knew nothing about that..how funny in the day of the computer that she did not see those notes on the screen.

Is this how small business owners are treated by Advanta? In this economic downturn; you would think they had more empathy. I was wondering if this is how Advanta operates by offering a great deal and then charging more than a business saves in interest rates after the fact. and then l found this link on the world wide web and wonder besides these complaints listed, How many other small businesses have suffered in this way? I feel like I am a victim of LEGALIZED LOAN SHARKING. I feel it is about time for a CLASS ACTION SUIT. Any one want to take it on? Was Advanta part of the Federal Bail out? I have put a complaint into the Federal Reserve

This rate increase will make it impossible to pay off anytime soon with the downturn of the economy

My small company has been an Advanta MasterCard holder for two years and nine months, and has always paid our balance in full and on time. On February 7, 2009 I received a letter stating that they had closed our account effective immediately based on low or no activity (but I have used it every single month at least twice for an average monthly charge of $200) and on factors regarding my personal credit report (on which I have never had a default or late payment). My multiple attempts to speak to someone with authority to review this situation were rebuffed.

Realizing the various individuals I spoke to in India had no knowledge or authority whatsoever, I called Advanta's headquarters in Pennsylvania. Again, I was told the decision was irreversible, but they could not tell me why the account was closed other than the codes on the letter. The company's website has been out of commission for days on end in the past, statements have been unavailable on-line and consistently mailed late (taking an average of eight days to reach me -- less than two weeks before the 20-days-after-statement due date), and telephone hold times (to reach a script-following lackey in India) interminable.

My take on Advanta: avoid doing business with them. Their service is atrocious, their decisions capricious, and their customer appreciation non-existent. They don't want or need my business, and I certainly don't want or need theirs.

I opened an Advanta business card with a 0 percent balance transfer offer for 15 months. After paying on tim for 6 months I noticed my payment increased dramatically. after further research I found my interest rate increased to 30 percent! I called and waited on hold for 30 minites and spoke to a Mindy. she informed me my card terms had adjusted according to their records and would not be changed. After I talked till I was blue in the face, was told the rate rate would remain and my other option was to pay off the card. This has cause me to be forced to drastically alter my budget and will eventually cease paying this card. I RECOMMEND ANYONE WITH A BALANCE ON AN ADVANTA CARD TO DO THE SAME. If enough small business do this maybe this Loan Sharking company will go under!

Financially causing me to forfeit paying and will let them lump it until they get with the program.

Just an update on the Advanta Ponzi Scheme Circle Jerk to the small business owners! Keep plugging the FDIC. Collections are not stable. Boston Massachusetts has found a case! Sign up to shut these guys up! Opps was my language too strong! Do I sound like an Advanta phone conversation? First they love you, then they hate you, it's a game for fools!

I have been a customer of Advanta for 4 years and have had great history with them always on time, keeping low balance, paying it off... Recently i took advantage of one of their promo offers of 0% APR balance transfer which increased my credit limit utilization. The very same month they sent me letter increasing my rate from 7.99% to 17.17%. When I called them they said it was due to various parameters from my credit history. I have no idea what they actually referred to as my credit score actually jumped in last month 10 points to 769. GO FIGURE.

I decided to opt out rather then to make Advanta's bottom line by paying higher rate. I sent opt out letter to them today.

First of all, I have a credit score of about 800, so you'd think I'd get treated pretty well. Nope. Not by Advanta business credit cards. Had my account there for over a year with no late payments. Their system did not record one of my payments and they jacked the interest rate from 7.99 to 20%. I call to try to get it reversed, no luck. we can't help you, so I transferred my balance back to wells fargo where there are no gotcha rate increases. Worth an extra percent or two.

Worst customer service, ever. Do not use Advanta for your business. I think with my bank account and credit I could get about any card with under 8% interest rate, but Advanta could not offer anything close to that.

Exploded my rate from 7.99% to 20% for a 3 day late payment because their system did not record my prepayment from 2 weeks earlier. No real damage as Wells Fargo was more than happy to take the balance back (at 7.75% I might add). Unfortunately, it used up most of my credit at that rate.

My intrest started out at 8.99%. Then with no warning or explanation, it jumped to 35.18%. Since this intrest rate is so high, I can no longer afford my monthly payments. I have always had timely payments and have always paid more than the required amount. I have had nothing resolved with any phone conversations with this company, and there have been many.

I no longer have a card to use for my business expenses, which has caused a major issue with purchasing necessary items for my business. Which in turn has caused a major decline in customers. I feel as though I am a very hard working American, so it is hard to understand how a company can practically rob me of all that I have worked my whole life for!

Small business owner that was offered a Advanta Small Business Card at a very nice %7.99 interest rate and a very nice credit limit - 30k. I used this card to get my business going and after the economy went south, I used it to keep going. I had a balance of 25K and never missed a payment. ALWASY ON TIME!!! Suddenly, my interest rate went from 7.99% to 28.99%. I call (don't know who it was I talked with) and explained that I can't afford this kind of balance/interest rate. They kindly explained that it was the cost of loaning money and that all they could do was to credit my account $100. I kindly explained that if that's would help them sleep at night then go ahead. I will never do business with this bank again and I also let everyone I know the the business and private sector about their unfair business practices. I hope the go out of business and better yet, their CEO should be in jail.

I've had to use other credit card offers to transfer this balance. This has been an extreme hardship on my business as the main card that I used for my business, in all practical purposes, put me out of business.

Advanta has been jacking the rates for anyone who has been carrying a balance with them, regardless of payment record, FICO score, credit rating, length of customer, or any reason at all. They claim they send out opt out notices. Amazingly noone seems to get them. They jack the rates to as high as 44% without anyone knowing. They did the same to me.

I closed my account when I found out, paid it off with home equity line, and was able to get excess interest back via complaint with Utah BBB. An attorney, Scott Feldman in Doylestown, PA was able to sue them in Philadelphia small claims court and get one of his clients back over $2,600 in excess interest. Alan Finkel, an attorney in Commack, NY is working on a class action lawsuit against Advanta. If you want to join google his name or e-mail me. Advanta is closing 110,000 accounts this year and is letting loose of most of their smaller business customers because of the higher risk involved with these large amounts of unsecured credit. A lot of the other companies like Chase and Citibank are also raising rates to discourage anyone from carrying a balance and spending money.

I opened up an Advanta Business MC in 2007, transferring a higher interest credit card because Advanta offered me 2.9% interest for life. I even called to question this offer, making sure it was not a promotional rate or that further charges needed to be made every month to keep the rate. I was told as long as I made my monthly payments on time, the rate would remain the same so I agreed to accept their services. I am a very conscientious and detail oriented person and have never had a late payment on ANYTHING. I would go without food and lights to pay my bills on time if necessary...thus my close to perfect credit score (according to my local bank that just today gave me a 40,000 credit line!)

If there is a holiday between the mailing date and the due date of a payment, I send payments priority mail with delivery confirmation for an extra precaution... just as I did with my December payments. However, in January 2008, I received my monthly statement from Advanta showing my December payment being received late with a $39 late fee added. I KNEW for a fact this was not true and had postal delivery confirmation to prove they did indeed receive this payment at 9:00 am on the day before it was due so I called Advanta to complain. After lengthy hold time and being transferred from one person to another, I was finally told as a valued customer, we will refund the $39 late fee to appear on your next statement. OK... mistakes happen... I can accept that. I was satisified they had admitted the error and would refund the erroneous charge.

At NO TIME during this conversation did the operator inform me they were going to raise my interest rate from 2.99% to 35.99% or the call would not have ended there with my thank you for your help. THIS IS A DECEPTIVE PRACTICE!! THEN, I received the next statement where the $39 late fee was refunded and my interest rate jumping from 2.9% to 35.99% causing an additional interest charge of $114.34, not to mention increasing the minimum payment required. I have heard horror stories on the news of credit card practices, but I was ABSOLUTELY and POSITIVELY FLOORED to think that a company could be this deceiving and predatory to HONEST people with good credit rating keeping up with all payments and agreements as much as I could understand.

The consequences from the actions of Avanta Bank Corp have been devasting to say the least. It has taken me hours upon days to deal with them on the telephone and has caused extreme medical and financial hardships. I have had to re-evaluate and re-plan my entire financial portfolio, both personal and company just to stay in business. This could have easily thrown me into bankrupcy had I not had other resources to combat the problem. I have had to postpone buying inventory for my internet store as there was absolutely NO ROOM for profit at 35.99% interest and have had to delay customer orders to pay cash to my vendors. I am partially disabled but do not qualify for benifits due to my business income so my small business has to be stretched to the furthest limits.

I am an outstanding client with Advanta and pay my credit cards on time. I pay two Advanta credit card payments together along with other bills on line late at night. I was able to log in for one of the Advanta cards and complete the transaction. I could not get into the other account because I was blocked with their message saying , We are experiencing difficulty processing your request at this time. I did not call at that time to let them know I needed to make my payment. I assumed they were closed. (The manager asked me why I did not call.)

Yes I was late with my payment, but only because I was blocked. I did not think I would have a problem when I called to tell them the situation, they can view my outstanding records, see how I have paid both cards together and tell them that they blocked me out so I could not pay at my normal time I pay all my bills. They should have records of when their site is down. The manager said she could not confirm this, she continuously interrupted me,talked above me, saying this is not going anywhere. She stated not all credit card co. are perfect. She said many people phone in courtesy calls when they have website problems, (That's what she call's them.) This among other crazy things were said. and before I could make sure I was being understood she hung up on me.

I called back, speaking to whomever else answered and yes my APR went to 30%. This is a scandal and I would like to know what we can do. Advanta has taken money from me.I was ready to make my payment but was not allowed. I also felt mentally abused when I was talked to by that manager, this phone call was taken place on Feb. 12th, 2009.I would like to know if you would be able to review it and see just how they are taking advantage of the American people who go by the books.

I opened up an Advanta business mastercard for my business. I received an interest rate of 8.99% and a 15K line. After using the card for a year and a half I stopped using it, and was paying 500.00 or more a month to work the balance down. I then noticed that the principal was not going down, and looked at the interest rate of 36.33%. I called a half a dozen times. Each time I got a call center in India and was read the basic script. we are sorry but we can not do anything about the interest rate.

I finally spoke with somebody who said my May 2008 payment was late. I said they were mistaken, and they told me my Feb. 2009 payment was late, and I told him that it was not late I refuse to pay it until somebody with some power to discuss the crimminal rate I was being charged spoke with me. well nobody ever called back and of a 577.00 dollar payment less than 100 dollars goes to my principal. I am now talking to my attorney to discuss my options. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS BANK. IT IS PREDITORY LENDING AT IT'S WORST

My business has been hard his by this recession, but I pay my bills. Advanta is pushing me closer to losing all I have worked for.

Since October 2008, I began to realize that Advanta Bank Corp uses fraudulent business practices to increase their profit margin. They deliberately put a Hold on sending my monthly billing statement, so that my payment would be late and they could assess late fees and penalty charges to my account. In November when I realized that they hadn't sent my bill, I called them and asked them for my statement. I confirmed that they had the correct address, and asked them to fax my statement to my home fax #. It took them 3 days to fax my bill to me. I called several times telling them that I wouldn't accept late fees for their incompetance, and to remove them from my account.

They continued to add up the fees, and shot my APR up to 34.99% In January they still hadn't removed the fees, but a representative called me while I was at work and said that he could remove half the fees now, if I would agree to set up a one time automatic payment by telephone with him. So I agreed. He told me that the minimum amount due was $107.00 due on the 27th of January. I wrote down the date, amount and confirmation number. Today, (2/16/09) while on the phone with an Advanta Representative, I discovered that they had deliberately made the automatic payment for one dollar less than the minimum amount, and they took the automatic payment on the 28th of January, making my payment a day late, and a dollar short. I confirmed the date that the automatic payment was taken, with my bank.

When I confronted Advanta about this, they once again lied to me and told me that the payment was taken on the 27th, but that I deliberately made it for a dollar less than it should've been. They of course immediately began assessing even more charges and late fees. When I confronted the supervisor about this criminal behavior today, she just kept defending her company and saying that the fault lies with me, and that I would have to bring my account current before they can do anything to HELP me. Ha! Advanta Bank Corp has broken trust with me, as I have caught them in about a dozen lies or more. They refuse to correct the problem that they started in the first place, due to their greed and unethical business practices.

I am a hard working American. I don't think that the American people need any more corrupt businesses out there taking advantage of them. I want this company exposed for their illegal practices, and I want justice served.

On Sep.8, 2007 I accepted a Business Mastercard from Sales Rep. Judy (ID# 8867807) based on a 8.99% Fixed APR. This was after having read their sales promotion on their website, www.advanta.com (which has now been changed)with the following advertisement:0% APR on balance tranfers for 15 months; Low 7.99% APR after the initial 15-month period expires;$0 fraud liabilit; etc. I received and activated my card on 10/01/2007 with a $12,500 limit, at a finance charge indicated from a notice received on 9/08/2007 of 8.99%. Finance charge beginning from Sep.13, 2007 through Feb. 2008 was 8.99%; starting Mar. 2008 it went up to 19.99%; Apr. 2008 down to 19.31%; May 2008 down to 17.99%; and Jun. 2008 backup to 19.99%.

In July I receive a statement for my July payment indicating a finance charge of 35.49%. That's almost a factor of 4 times my finance charge 5 months ago!!! On June 15, 2008 I sent and addressed a Fax to the CEO, Mr. D. Alter, President, Mr. J. Moore, and Ms. M. Emmertson, Account Specialist who I've in contact with. I've talked with their Customer Service Rep., Andrea prior to sending the Fax. She was unable to explain to me why my finance charges jumped. I've always paid on my account on time and initially was paying more than my minimum. My Credit Score at the time was an average around 732.

Eventually, Mr. Fairbanks indicated that my rate would go back to my last interest charges before the 35.49%. I assumed this to be at 19.99% which was still more than the so-called fixed 8.99% APR - now it's back up to around 25% - depending on what month it is. I then got in contact with the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, phone 1-800-378-9581) and submitted my complaint under the Federal Reserve 'Proposed Rules for Credit Card and Overdraft Services, concerning Regulation AA-Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices [R-1314].

The FDIC did follow-up with Advanta and that's when I received a letter from Mr. Fairbanks. I suggest that we all complain to the FDIC to get some satisfaction.

I have paid all my credit cards ontime and Advanta has suddenly raised my rate to 37% interest. This means I now have a $587 minimum payment with only $153 going to the actual payment! I'm one of thousands facing this problem.

This is supposed to be a company that helps businesses. They might as well be mafia thugs. They should be shut down.

My experience with Advanta has been an ongoing, never ending nightmare! When I received the notice that my rates had jumped to 37.18% for no reason, I closed the account, ( it took me many, many calls) paid off what I could and moved the remaining balance to another card. The company allowed an internet charge on this account after it was closed of $35.00

when I called about it, they gave me credit (after an hour on the phone) they assured me it was closed and then charged me $19.00 late fee on my next statement for this charge. When I called about it, the said they would take it off. But that was just yesterday. So I will see what happens. They actually owe me a refund of $10.00 for overpayment but I am certain I will never see it. Advanta is a horrible business with very unethical business practices. I would warn everyone to never EVER use this company.

I have had to spend many hours on the phone with people in India who barely understand our language, and don't follow through. I have good credit and am waiting to see if this shows up as a negative report on my credit.

This is the second time that I have problems with Advanta Bank, first last year I closed the account because charged with high fee for late fee, later from my fix rate 6.99 went to 27 % and called the bank many times and no clear answer, so I complaint to BBB and that was the only way to get back my 6.99 rate again, but the high rates they never reversed,

this year I sent on -line payment and my bank merged with other and by mistake sent the payment back, so after that they called me every day until I make phone payment and charged me $12.87 for the payment and $39.00 for late payment and another $35.00 for return payment and called again and no clear answer. so I reported again to BBB and still no good answer, they reversed $39.00 and 435.00, but charge with $132.00 on interest charges and fees, I just find completely out of proportion this charges, and looks like this a pattern on their practices to steal money from small business owners like me, we're struggling with this crisis and to pit food on the table, I think that is time to government check this bank.

Advanta Bank corp has raised my interest rate to 37% and has said this is due to many factors mostly because of my FICO score. It hasnt changed in two years and I have never been late with a payment.I own a recording studio so I recorded the conversation with their permission. They just don't care. Anybody own a radio station?

It will put me out of Business.

I have made payments on time on my small business credit card with Advanta. I pay twice a month and each time over the minimum required. My rate was 10.18 and now it is 27.18. They did mail me a brochure of a rate increase, which was unknown at the time.

I called and they indicated that I was placed in a group of HIGH RISK FOR FUTURE DEFAULT. They could not tell me what triggered this other than the Board of Directors determines the rates. She could not tell who looked at my account and who determined I was a HIGH RISK. This is too secret for us to now. I believe they are picking the people who can pay to cover the losses for those who have already defaulted. The good customers are paying the price for the management poor decisions.

I will continue paying but I am looking to work with a company that is more stable and honest. How can good small businesses grow if they have to carry the burden of poor management decisions.

I have been an Advanta Bank Card holder for many years in good standing. Always paid on time. Without notice, one month my credit card rate went from 14% to 32.4%! I called Advanta Card, they said they were able to do this due to my personal credit. My personal credit is GOOD and the same as always. They also said I was mailed (via regular mail) a notice giving me the opportunity to stop using card and keep the current rate, or continue using at the higher rate. I told them I did NOT receive this notice (it was NOT sent registered mail). I further told Advanta this card was within $100 of its credit limit, and if I had received notice, it would not have made no sense for me to accept such an outrageous rate for a mere $100 worth of available credit!

I informed them I would make no more payments on this card as long as it was at this rate. My calls regarding this were unsuccessful and many letters received NO reply! Their collections department started calling me daily at home and work. I talked to them a couple of times and explained why my payments stopped. They say there is nothing they can do! Thank you Advanta! As a self-employed business owner, if I had treated my customers this way, I would have been out of business many years ago!

Advanta

We're all in the same boat!

37% interest is normal isn't it?

OK Lawyers it's time to make your move and help 10's of thousands of business owners. How can a lawyer help Boston in a class action? I know I want my case to include seeing them going out of business and my 37% compensated X 2000%

Causing my small business to fold, stress and not replying to my phone calls at all.

then their recieving bail out money.

While we are losing jobs in the U.S. they worry more about employing people in other countries then our own people.

I know of someone who recieves welfare then goes to the food shelf. chops up 1/2 an onion throws the other 1/2 away. Then they spend all their money at the casinos. How do you spell STUPID!!!

Advanta bank took my Small Business 5% credit card and jacked it up to 32%. My payment went from $200 to $790, leaving me struggling to pay. I called them - spoke to someone in India of course - to let them know that I would only be able to pay half. That went no where. I was almost giddy to hear that Advanta lost $43.8 million in the fourth quarter because of credit losses. Did it occur to them that they have created this mess by making payments impossible to make? And I hope their layoffs are in India. Great idea outsourcing US jobs to India.

Advanta loses $43.8 million in the fourth quarter largely because of credit losses and now are laying off.

Screwed my small business by raising my payment to unreachable amount.

I opened a business account with Advanta in May of 2006. They offered an interest rate of 2.9%. Over the last year and a half or so they have raised my interest rate to 37.18%. I have spoken to them each time they raised the rate to find out why. I have never been late with a payment and, until recently, always paid more than the minimum. I told them that I thought it was rather odd to penalize a good customer. The last time I spoke to someone there, I had to get very firm with them just to be allowed to speak with a supervisor/credit manager. They will not work with me in any way. I got so angry last summer (2008) that I cut up my card with no intentions of using it at all and just paying them off.

Every time that I have called, they said that a letter of intention to raise the interest rates had been sent to me. I have never received any letters from them. If this had happened only once, I can understand the possibility that it may have been lost in the mail. But for it to happen every time? I think not! My latest bill shows the increase in my interest to 37.18%. And my minimum payment has increased from 180 per month to 269 this month. Is this company some kind of a scam? It's like dealing with the loan sharks that you hear about on TV.

At this point, I am going to be unable to make minimum payment as I owe money to other companies as well. I would rather maintain my good record with the companies that have not penalized me. The only recourse I have is to stop paying Advanta until they agree to lower my interest and put their minimum payment back in my affordable ballpark.

I have a small bookkeeping business that, due to the slowed economy, has seen the loss of 25% of my existing clients. I tried to start a secondary business last year to help my income but I can't afford to pay the rent and utilities on a building to house it. If Advanta will not work with me on this, I will be forced to file Bankruptcy. I do not want to do that but I may have no choice. My small IRA account has lost so much value that it would not be worth taking the money out of it to pay the bill. I am at my wits end. I am single, 63 years old and can not afford to fight this kind of corruption. Isn't there anything that can be done to protect me and others like me from the unfair practices of this credit company?

My APR on my business card went from 7.99% to 37% in one month. When I called to ask about why it went up, they said it was my personal credit score. My personal score hasn't changed in over a year! The customer service department says they won't change my rate.

This company is nothing more than a thief, my experience is the same. 7.99% interest rate raised to 27.11%. Can't find anyone to talk to in the company and they could give a damn about your issues. Don't use the Advanta Company and throw away any info sent to you. Monthly payments have gone up $300.00, I have never missed a payment.

Interest Rate went up to 37.18%!!!!!!!!!!!!! No one can catch up with that. I went to several sites and many many people have the same complaint. I've had the card for years and Boom, out of no where they up the rate. They should be hung.

I am a SMALL retail business owner. I have had an Advanta card for several years. Never late on a payment. I have had the same issue with Advanta - raised my rate to over 30%. This month I was only able to pay half my payment. The calls started coming and haven't stopped. I will receive up to 10 calls a day. If I am not at the store that day, my co-worker gets the first call about 9:00am - lets them know I am not there - and the calls still continue until the end of day.

I have asked to speak with someone in the United States - took them 45 minutes to transfer me to someone in the US. They suggested I contact the Consumer Credit Counseling. At least that was a suggestion. Yesterday I got a call - gentleman suggested that I give him my checking account information and post date an electronic check to pay them. I refused and told him that I know that is a trick they use to automatically pull their payments from my account at any time (its in the small print). I am sick that the economy has taken a bad turn, but it has - and reality is that I cannot make that full payment.

I am trying to pay off my credit card in the amount of $14,945.44 but the online payment options or the customer service call center will not let me make a payment. They say it has to be three business days between payments. My interest rate has increased from 0% to 27%. By not being able to make a payment today they are going to charge me an additional $448.36. Please help me. I am just trying to pay my bill. When I ask for a supervisor the customer service (Jessica, Logan, Sam Nick, Mike hand up on me.

Extreme frustration and anxitity. Is this legal.

I am a small business owner who has been screwed by Advanta. I have never once been late or over my limit on my account. My interest rate went from 7.99% to 35.18% on $25,000.00. I have tried numerous times trying to talk to them about getting the rate lowered and they will not work with me at all. I have contacted the BBB of Utah, the AG of Utah and The Department of Financial Institutions. None of these have been any help.

I can't beleive that Advanta is being allowed to do this whenever the government is supposed to be helping businesses during this poor economy. My payment increased over $300 a month and now I am constantly late because of it. The goverment should realize that places like Advanta should NOT RECEIVE NO BAIL OUT MONEY. Advanta is not trying to work and help us business owners out. I have told them numberous times that I am not trying to get out of my debt. All I want is to continue making my payments at the previous interest rate until it is payed off. They said that I was sent a letter to opt out, but I never did receive the letter. Please let me know if anyone knows anything about what can be done or who I can contact about getting this resolved.

I have continously been late on my payments since the rate and payment increase on my card. It has affected my rating and cash flow. I will never get this paid off since 90% of my payment goes to interest. There is no end to this scam that Advanta has on all business owners.

What happened to me as the same that has happend to THOUSANDS of others consumers. Advanta is raising interest rates, stealing from the consumers and with all the complaints that have been filed with different agencies NO ONE is doing anything about it. The FTC has done nothing to help. Advanta is allowed to continually STEAL FROM and HARASS the consumers. I have written to Advanta expained the unfortunate closure of my business and that I'm struggling to make ends meet. I asked them to please give me a lower fixed payment to help until things turn around and they won't acknowledge my letter after one of their reps told me to write the letter. Will someone PLEASE take the time to check into this company?

Basically, this one card company can prevent other creditors from getting paid because there is not enough money to go around. And, above all the principal does not get paid because the interest takes all the money. How can one take care of their family, feed and clothe their children if businesses can still get by with unfair business practices? There is no peace from ALL day calls. You tell them not to call your cell phone because you're now working from someone else and you can't receive calls on the job and they say the calls will continue until the payment is made.

If you post date a check with them for a week or two out, GUESS WHAT? they collectors still call and say won't stop calling until a payment is made. Take the moment to think about the emotional stress (that leads to physical stress) this company is putting people through, isn't it enough people are hurting from the recession our Country is in. IF you can't pay all your bills because of the greed of others surley an attorney's fee cannot be paid.

my interest rate went from 7% to 36% on $30,000 do the math. I can't pay it now I went into collections they said if I pay $5,000 on acct. they could change the rate to 2% fixed but I couldn't come up with that amount. Now they threaten to sue me and slap leins on everything I have.

If everybody went delinquent like I did F.D.I.C. would have to pay advanta the amount due. THEN FDIC WILL HAVE CONCERNS! The question to why the government doesn't due anything about it? They don't care! They forget that they work for us. Or do they?

My small business opened an account with Advanta in 2005. My initial interest rate was aprox. 9-10.0%. In Jan 2007 Advanta raised my rate to 13.19%. In the past few months they again raised my rate to the obscenely high rate of 37.18%. My payments to Advanta were always on time and there was no activity on this account to prompt the increased rate. I contacted a CC supervisor at Advanta to attemtpt to discover why the rate had increased so much and how I could lower the rate.

I was advised that Advanta did not require a reason to raise my rate and that furthermore I had no recourse but to pay watever they demanded. I then contacted the Attorney General's office for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was likewise advised that there were NO LIMITS UNDER CURRENT STATE OR FEDERAL LAW to limit the amount of interest that Advanta could charge me any amount they wanted, secondary to the deregulation of CC's in the U.S.

I was unable to get another loan to pay off Advanta secondary to the economic downturn in the American economy. This rate of 37.18% is staggering and places a tremendous and unearned burden on my business. I am barly keeping my doors open at this time and the stress of these kinds of banking practices is beginning to affect my health.

Advanta has ruined my small business and my business' credit. My wife, who is an attorney, and I just got off the phone with an Advanta CSR, and supervisor who hung up on us. When we asked why our interest rate was pushed up to 37% (from 5.9%) they would not tell us. There are many indicators online and in message boards that Advanta is running a Ponzi scheme with its clients and using cardholders to cover their losses. I have lost the ability to conduct any business on my credit limit (one of my sole sources of business line of credit) and losso of personal income. I am looking at bankruptcy and dissolution of the corporation as a result of their practices and unwillingness to communicate.

Over $80,000 in business and contract work.

I have been a good customer of Advanta Bank for a little over a year. My interest rate was 7.99. In 2008 I was billed a total of $2970 but I paid a total of $5600 in an effort to keep my balance low. I was never late on any payment. In July of 2008 they started raising my rate and as of January 2009 it is at 37.18 & 39.19 causing my monthly payments to jump by an additional $300.

Because of this unbelievable increase which is nothing but pure robbery of the consumer I can no longer pay this amount. I have talked with several individual with all the fake names of the collectors and they are not willing to work out a solution.

This company should be forced out of business and should have to return all the excess monies they are charging good people. When I go out on the internet I see one complaint after the other so why isn't someone in our government doing something to stop companies from making a bad situation worse?

I received a call earlier today from Advanta stating that I had missed a payment and that they required payment immediately in order to keep the account open. I questioned into the matter and referred to my records as I have never been late or paid less than the minimum required payment. Even with providing them with the pertinent info of the check (number, amount, date issued & sent) they stated they never received it. I asked if they have ever had a check get set aside in processing for any reason that it would take over three weeks to clear. Indeed, it had not cleared my bank yet, so I agreed very cooperatively to bring my account current immediately over the phone.

After this was processed I requested that the late fees and other penalties be reversed as the check was not received through no fault of my own, I had an excellent payment history with Advanta, and showed good faith by rectifying the problem immediately when I was notified of it. I was flatly denied this first by a CSR that said we cannot do that, ever. A second CSR attempted to do so but said his system would not let him process the adjustment. Finally, I spoke to a supervisor who said that no adjustment could be made.

I conversed with him asking Advanta to show good faith in this situation as I had done by rectifying the problem immediately, and the supervisor simply stated, we don't care what you've done or why this has happened. You're going to have a late fee and it will be reported to the appropriate bureaus. I then told him that I would be taking my business elsewhere if Advanta had such poor customer service. His reply: Well, that's just fine by us. You're only one customer, and we have thousands more that won't care about our service.

We opened an Advanta credit card account with a 5.9% interest rate which I thought was fixed. I noticed that the rate went up to 10%. Called them and they said that is the new rate and was competitive. I've always paid my card on time except once where their website was not working so I called and paid it over the phone on the actually due date but did not credit to my account till the next day but the customer service rep. stated that it was not a problem b/c the system will show I paid it over the phone on my due date.

I recently got my monthly statement and it stated my monthly payment was doubled from the previous month...after ready the statement closer they raised my rate to 27%! I called and they didn't care. They said after reviewing my account that is the rate I deserve. I have a great credit score..they actually just raised my credit line 1 month ago!!! This can't be happening and I can't believe they can get away with this. Consumer Protection is needed!

Due to the increase in interest rate it is making it impossible to use the card as well as pay the cards monthly bill. My business is in the trades so purchasing materials is made prior to getting paid for the job so my business will suffer

We opened an Advanta credit card account with a 5.9% interest rate which I thought was fixed. I noticed that the rate went up to 10%. Called them and they said that is the new rate and was competitive. I've always paid my card on time except once where their website was not working so I called and paid it over the phone on the actually due date but did not credit to my account till the next day but the customer service rep. stated that it was not a problem b/c the system will show I paid it over the phone on my due date.

I recently got my monthly statement and it stated my monthly payment was doubled from the previous month...after ready the statement closer they raised my rate to 27%!~!!!!!! I called and they didn't care. They said after reviewing my account that is the rate I deserve. I have a great credit score..they actually just raised my credit line 1 month ago!!! This can't be happening and I can't believe they can get away with this. Consumer Protection is needed!!!! Enough is enough!!!!

I have had the same experience with Advanta. We are a small woman-owned business with an over 800 credit score and have never missed or been late with a single payment with Advanta. I just paid off the balance we had (about $8,000) on a 2.9% balance transfer rate. Asuming that Advanta would be quite pelased with our performance, I decided to ask what my new rate would be in case we needed some short-term working capital for an expansion we're considering. They told me our rate had been increased to 32.29%!

After the initial shock wore off, I asked why and was told that my account had been reevaluated. Understandably, I asked for a reason. I told them about our perfect payment record, top credit rating and our recent payment of the large revolving balance due. The supervisor on the phone refused to give me any details about why our account was singled out for this outrageous rate increase. Was it because we are a woman owned business or because we are older with 30+ years of excellent credit history? Was it random? When I mentioned that I planned to close my account she said that was my choice. I said, No; it's your choice when you raise my rate to the point that it would be idiotic to borrow from you, the net effect is to deny me credit - for no stated reason.

My question: Is it time for a class action suit against this company which has effectively denied us credit for no reason whatsoever? If they are allowed to get away with this, they open the door for others who want to withhold credit from minorities or anyone else simply to make the rate so high that the consumer can't deal with it. If they do not have to give a reason, they can effectively discriminate with impunity. Although I'm not an attorney, this usurous practice seems to run counter to every fair credit law I know about. Is there any rate that the law considers too high? Surely this is it! If there were ever a company that deserves to go out of buisness, this one certainy fits the profile!

As a consequence, we lost a $35,000 line of credit, since we cannot afford to borrow at 32% in the midst of an economy that is paying less than 1% on savings, CDs and money market accounts. We don't really need to borrow any money right now, but I like to have options.

FDIC NEEDS YOUR VOICE NOW! We CAN alter Advanta's course: Advanta jacked my rates from 7.99% FIXED to over 32%. I have perfect credit, never missed a payment, etc. 750+ Fico. I am writing because I have PERSONALLY spoken with the FDIC. They DO know about this issue with Advanta, their regulators HAVE been notified and they are very concerned about it. and THEY DEFINATELY WANT MORE COMPLAINTS. Spend the 6 minutes it will take and fill out a complaint [online]. (By the way..when filling out the form, don't put any dashes in PHONE Numbers and make sure the date is in the format of XX/XX/XXXX...) 48 Hours after complaining online, call very special number at the FDIC and very kindly reiterate your complaint and be sure they got.

They DO have a very helpful attitude and they ARE looking at this very carefully. SO PLEASE, BE NICE, ASK FOR HELP, CLEARLY STATE THE ISSUES AND JUST STAY ON IT. We all know what Advanta is doing is wrong. But, let us not fail to remember, that Advanta Bank ONLY exists because they have a Bank Charter. The Bank Charter is a PIECE OF PAPER and can be shredded as quickly as it was printed.

SO, Executives, Stockholder's, Boardmembers and Employees of Advanta -- please take note -- your Bank is truly JUST A PIECE OF PAPER away from NON-EXISTENCE. Your BANK EXISTS because the WILL of the PEOPLE ALLOW it to exist. Motivated enough, we can revoke that PRIVILEDGE Advanta. There is no LAW that mandates that YOU GET TO KEEP YOUR BANK CHARTER. Do you think that 1.2 Million Small Business Owner's will take this treatment for very long? So, please, EVERYONE, fill out a complaint and follow up with a courteous, informative and supportive phone call. We need ALL complaints. Your STORY DOES matter.

Economic Hardship, theft of my business assets.

I signed up to Advanta 6 years ago. I was solicited with a 5 year Cash Rebate starting @ 1% the 1st year progressing to a 5% Cash Rebate after 5 years. Advanta just stopped the progressive rebate in year 2. My company has NEVER paid Advanta a dime in interest. We always pay the balance in full, electronically. Every month I check the due date on the statement to make sure it doesn't fall on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday. Advanta has in the past, put the due date on a day that can't be transacted, like Sunday.

I was also dumbfounded when I noticed that Advanta has raised the interest rate on my account to 32.99% considering: 1) Always pay balance in full 2) Never late 3) 750+ FICO I talked to Supervisor J. Hamilton #JHN Utah, with NO offer by Mr. Hamilton as to what on earth was in that that would trigger a 32.99% interest rate. I will never incur a finance charge because I always pay the balance in full, but I cannot continue to watch this disgarceful practice knowing many others are being financially trapped by this company.

I am just another decent person fallen victim like everyone else. Same song who knows how many dances later. Our elected officials should be more ashamed of themselves for letting this happen. I know most animals that are predators would never dare bite the hand that feeds them. When somebody buys a product from me for $2.00 and then the next time they order the same item again then I charge them $30.00 and tell them if they don't pay the bill or I'll take you to court. I don't think that they will ever buy from me again. What a great country we can all feel so proud of to be able to own and operate our businesses the way we want to.

My payments went from $500/mo. to $1300/mo. I made one payment finding that I could not make another because I would fall behind in other places. They have threaten to sue me. Since my account has gone delinquent, they're federal insurance has already paid them for my acct. But i'm probably going to be forced into bankruptcy.

I have excellent credit and have a small business credit card with Advanta. Recently by mistake, I missed a payment (the first time this happened). I was shocked with what happened and called the company that stated that is the rules. I have never herd of such a thing as a $362 late fee and the interest jumping from 2.9% to 37.18%. I thought they made a mistake and was just shocked! After reading other complaints from this company online, I have decided they are just scamming people with good credit because they know they will get the money. This should be illegal. They need to get this into the media and stop their scam!!!

They jacked up my rate to 35% I noticed an article on the web where the CEO states thats exactly what they are doing to survive the current strain on their lending I saved the article They are fleecing us all to stay out of bankruptcy This is criminal. The collections manager said basically tough pay the bill no explanation of the rate increases. This is premeditated on theirs companys part.

Our personel credit is being impacted by these tactics They saiid they would ruin the people who signed for the card.

I received a business credit card a year ago 4% interest rate. As I was making payment on my account yesterday I noticed that the balance was not going down and then saw a $65 service charge for the month......and they raised my interest rate to 31.31%...who in their right mind would pay this amount?????? I called them today and they said my rate TODAY is 32.18...so it has raised since my last bill... I have excellent credit...always pay more than I am requested, pay on time.....every month....they said they can not do anything about it....supervisor was CLUELESS...I really am wondering if this is a legimate company? There has to be a cap on somewhere...when will it stop....!!!!!

Will never get paid at these interest rates....the govt bailed out all these companies with OUR money...now help us!...lower these rates across the board...

I have been a small business owned for over 20 years and have been an ADVANTA Credit Card customer for over 5 years, never late or over my credit limit until recently being laid-off and having to take a job earning significantly less than before, add to that several expensive family illness and things have gotten difficult financially. They are charging me and my family 32.99% Interest Rate on our balances! T

Severe and unreasonable financialhardship.

Opened a business credit card in early 2007. Have excellent credit history on all cards including this yet interest rate raised from 7.99% to 31.31%. Have contacted Advanta to get reason and they said my credit rating made them make the decision. Contacted all credit agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) and each said there was nothing to warrant this. Advanta refuses to give the precise reason. Lot's of vague polices and methods. And then I found out that the Customer Service person I was trying to get answers from was in India.

Instead of paying around $30 - $50 interest, I'm incurring over $200 in interest fees. I cannot continue to use this card for business and will have to pay it off and apply for a different card.

I paid last months bil eralu and they fined me 39 dollars for doing so. I asked what in the heck they were doing and they said the money wasnt rcvd in time. I told them to take it off now and that this was farud unless it was written inot the laws that you cant pay eraly. They took off the fee but Im sure theyll ack up my rate. I am closing it within th e next 30 days. The OCC is crooked, everyone needs to write Obama and their seantors to let themknow you are on to OCCs efforts to undermine the people in this county.

My Advanta small business Visa went from 10.99% APR to 32.18% in December. I called about this two weeks ago and was read a script saying that Advanta reviews its accounts from time to time and adjusts its rates accordingly. I asked to have the rate rolled back to its original 10.99% or at least reduced to a reasonable rate -- neither happened. I went out and got a balance transfer card that has a lower limit than the Advanta card so I can only reduce the Advanta account by 40% of the current balance, leaving 60% of the current balance with Advanta.

I called back today to see about lowering the rate again -- that didn't happen. I was also told by the customer service agent in India/Pakistan that a letter had been sent to me on December 2 stating the the APR was going to rise to over 30% and that it also stated I could pay the balance in full and have the account closed.

However, I do not recall ever receiving such a letter. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was connected to a woman in (I'm assuming) Philadelphia. I asked again about a rate reduction but was told no. She then explained that the aforementioned letter was sent out to me on November 15 -- but again, I do not recall ever seeing such a letter. Seems that a letter like that would have gotten my attention and why the two different mailing dates? Odd.

Long story short, because of the increased APR, my account balance went over the limit and I incurred an overlimit charge that they eventually waived (the least they could do I suppose) and I'm saddled with a much larger monthly payment that I can't really afford at this point in time. Advanta is not doing me or many others any favors and as soon as I can pay off the balance I will never do business with Advanta again.

Advanta quickly jacks up interest on their cards if you are ever pay late, which I confess to doing. For my sins I received a penalty interest rate of 37%. I am quickly paying it off and closing the account. I suggest everyone do the same.

I had no idea they would charge more than the teens in interest, that banks won't usually go over. I understand that they have people that don't pay, but no one can afford 37% interest payments.

This concerns the closure of all of the Aspire credit card accounts. After reading a great many of the other complaints, I am wondering if anything is being done to investigate this particular company. Though it doesn't seem to have affected my own credit rating, I have read that it is affecting a great many other former card-holders of Aspire credit card accounts.

My main concern is why Aspire continues to charge exhorbiant interest rates on outstanding balances when these same cards have been cancelled for EVERYONE by the company. Is it actually legal for what appears to be a BANKRUPT credit card company to continue to charge outstanding balance interest on a card that is of no longer use to the card-holder? I do not mind paying off my balance, but I DO object to monthly interest fees by a company that no longer allows one to use their card. As Hamlet said, There's something rotten in the state of Denmark. Only for a great many of us, it's rotten in the state of Georgia. This really should be investigated. Far too many people have posted on this site for it to just go away.

Nothing detrimental to my credit rating so far, but paying montly interest on a card that is no longer valid seems to me to be incredibly dishonest by the issuing card company. If they're bankrupt as they say, why do they need the additional 'funding' from their card-holders?

Signed up for a rate of 7.99%. After 1 year of faithfull payments on time and greater than the minimum they raised the rate to 28.99% for no reason. My credit score is above 750. My choices were to accept the new rate or close account and opt out. I am a 62 year old gentleman and I have NEVER seen this kind of tactic by any reputable company. This is dispicable. By the volume of similar complaints, this is their standard business plan.

My Advanta credit card rate 6.0 went to 35%. Nice. My Score is 750> Go figure.

I feel better reading all of the other credit card victims. I am not alone.

I hope Advanta goes bankrupt.

We have had an Advanta Business Card for 8-9 years. We have always paid on time, most of the time in full. We have a 750+ credit score. When we signed up the card terms were 0% for the first year or so and then it was to increase to approximately 7.99% thereafter. Until this last month we have been paying 7.99%. We monitor, and pay our account online and our credit manager noticed our interest rate had increased to approximately 32% with a huge monthly payment due. I call and the 800 number and am told that my account had been reviewed and I was deemed a credit risk so they had reassessed my interest rate.

Evidently I had been sent a letter in August about the change. I never received that letter or I would have called then. They were gracious enough to lower my rate to a meager 16% or so and explained it would be in my best interest to pay off the account or transfer the funds to another card otherwise the company would take further action against me. Thats the best they can do, and that I need to do this to protect my credit. I explained how what they were doing is not right I had never been late on my payments, and that this would force me to be unable to pay my bills. She said it was the best she could do. A couple of weeks later I spent 50 min. on the phone with a manager in India (I assume as the two people I spoke with had Indian accents and were barely understandable) as he tried to explain how Advanta is working with me on this and how I need to work with him, After all other people are paying 27%-37% on their cards and Advanta has reduced my rate trying to work with me. Evidently he claims from a whopping 37%.

He then also reminded me of my credit standing and questioned my ability to pay. There was nothing more he could do he repeated. He just kept trying to explain how I could transfer the money elsewhere. I hung up. Within about 2 days I received a letter stating I am 12 days past due and that in 8 days collections will be taking actions against ME and my business.

Damages at this point are not much other than a huge amount of stress placed on my wife and I, and an insane amount of interest charges. However it sounds like within a month or 2 it will begin to effect my credit score because I can not pay the amount they are asking for at these new terms. I have transfered $4,000 from another card to pay Advanta for now but its only a dent on the %19,000 they claim I owe them now after fees and 32%-37% interest. I don't know what else to do at this point as I only see Bankruptcy as my alternative.

I transferred 7000 to Advanta credit card less than a year ago and paid 250 per month on it always. I paid on the 7th of sept 08 250 dollars and again in october on the 7th. I received a phone call from them on a deliquent account because they changed the due date and said i payed 500 dollars in sept and zero! in october. Are you kidding? I said.

I then payed off the card in full in Nov and received 183 dollar fees and i payed it unfortunately! Then last week Jan 09 i received another bill after account was closed for additional 85 dollars which was late fees and yearly charges they said! I am totally ****** off and wish i could go to their office myself with a baseball bat!!!

Just a couple of weeks ago I too noticed that the rate went up to over 32%. I called them and the rep was reading what seemed to be a script! I was so angry because she refused to work with me on this. I've never been late,etc. Yes, I have a balance, but my credit score is also good! In actuality, it really doesn't matter now does it! Our government keeps bailing out all of these companies and there is absolutely no help for the small business person. Not all of us make millions! Some us just live day to day... not complaining until something like this happens to you. What can we do? Not sure! I'm scared! Bottom line!

I requested a credit line increase that was granted on 12-17. On 12-22 the account was closed without notification. The account rep. said that a letter had been sent out the same day 12-22 stating the account was being closed due to inactivity.

My company had written a convenience check which was returned due to closed account. Returned check fee and loss of trust with our vendor.

This is what advanta promised when I opened my account December 27: Small Business Credit Cards from Advanta! Introducing a superior small business credit card. Only from Advanta. Other small business credit cards simply dont stack up when you compare them to all of what our special credit card offers, such as low rates, unlimited reward points,* merchandise, and gift cards! Here are just a few of the perks youll enjoy when you add an Advanta credit card to your wallet: 0% APR on balance transfers for 15 months Low 7.99% APR after the initial 15-month period expires Unlimited Rewards* Earn Cash, Travel, Merchandise & More all from one card No annual fee and no limit on the total rewards you can earn $0 fraud liability Simple online credit card application Apply Now! About Us At Advanta, our focus is on small business.

Despite only paying on the card more than the min. in advance, my interest went from 7.99% to 20%. Yes I did receive a letter in August. However, remained unclear as to if the opt-out feature meant that I would no longer be able to use the card and of course the time expired. Since I didn't want them to penalize me further, I waited to revisted the issue with a customer service rep who explained that I'll not be eligble for a review until much later. Since my 0% introductory offer doesn't expire until March, I opted to close the account and pay off the card by Feb. 2009. Clearly it doesn't matter who you are or what you've done they are treating everyone the same way. I was told that my interest went up b/c I like other businesses in my category proved to be most likely to fail. Well yeah, esp. if you start jacking up the interest rates on them!

I got my bill fron Advanta and my interest rate went from a nice 6% up to 36.31%. I could not believe what I was seeing, of course they gave me the We sent you the letter garbage. So I stopped playing their games and threw their bill in the garbage. Now the collections department is calling non stop asking for payment, but I told them to come sue me so I can settle this for pennies on the dollar. I am not going to play the big mans game, I dont worship at the FICO score's altar. Maybe it will be nice to see credit agencies leave this world and everyone prosper with CASH.

Same as everyone here- Started at 7.99% Advanta Small Business card- got latest statement 12/18/08- interest on purchases= 32.18% cash advances =35.18% OMG!!!!! Card has $30,000 limit I have an 801 credit score- never late...etc.... Same answers from India- we can't tell you why it went up, blah blah blah....neither could the supervisor - what a joke.

Luckily I pay off balance monthly and only have a $59 balance!!! (whew) So I called up Capital One where my personal card is at 5% rate and they hooked me up with a 9.99% business card. Think I'll run the Advanta card through the shredder and send it back with my payoff. These ba#%ards should be put out of business. Now do all you folks understand that the BANKS RUN THIS WORLD and can do whatever they please????? The goal is to make us all SLAVES to DEBT. The end game approacheth- hope y'all are ready.

Rate on business platnium card was raised from 7.9% to over 20% with no advance notice and no reason given.

We are being forced to pay the additional $490 per month in finance charges untill we can find the means to get rid of [card]. Not the easiest of tasks in this economy.

I had a charge of $1855 charged on my card, then a $55 foreign transaction fee, then a refund of $1802, all from a company out side the US that I've never heard of. When I called to notify Advanta they said they would report my card stolen and wipe the charges. 4 days later, I went to see my online statements to check progress. There was a balance transfer from an unknown card of $547 made the day after I reported the card stolen. I then tried to call Advanta to make sure it had been reported stolen and got an automated services telling me that I could not be helped at this time and to call back during regular business hours.

So Apparently I have no way of stopping someone from running up my card because it's not during Advanta's business hours. I'm very proud of my good credit and I don't know what Advanta is letting happen to it.

Advanta raised my rate also to 30.05% with no opt out notice received. If you had your rate increased and didn't received that notice, and have no missed payments and good credit, please e-mail me if your interested in joining our group who is working with attorneys in NY and CA to file a class action lawsuit. My e-mail is above or add together (dec458) at (msn.com). A lot of people have had luck with filing a complaint to the Utah BBB and some are suing them in small claims court and winning for their predatory practices.

I have acredit card with this business. The card currently has a $20,600.00 limit. I used this card two years ago to expand my business. The initial interest rate was 0% for one year. It then went just over 6% on the unpaid balance. I have never missed a payment. I was late I believe twice in a couple month period this year because of extremely slow sales in our business. The payments were only a few days late...not a week, or months and as a result Advanta raiesed our intrest rate to over 29%.

In the last several months it has now gone up to 32.18%. I contacted customer service to explain that they were placing undue hardship on my business and asked if the interest rate could be lowered. The agent said that I was not eligable for a reduction in rate. I asked if there was someone else I could speak to about it such as a superviser. He said I would not get transfered to anyone else.

This increase in interest has caused my payments to go up over $300.00 a month. Last month I paid $777.00 to Advanta with $519.71 going towards interest and only $257.00 going towards principle. They as well keep lowering the available credit amount which continually reflects on my credit report that the card is maxed out. It also limits my ability to borrow to help keep my business going.

Credit card Predatory lending practices re: bait and switch interest rates, lying re: reducing interest rates upon payment, violations Fair Debt Collections practices

Over the last couple of years, Advanta, began playing internal games with our company as well. Reading online about all the complaints, we experienced many of the same problems with Adavanta. Such as their due date shuffles, payments somehow not getting there just in time-to their intent of interest rate hikes, ridiculous fees, and snowballing tatics to ruin you. There is no one nice at this bank to help you. Only ways to help themselves by screwing you! I Sincerely mean this!

We decided to just stop paying for their mistakes and pirating tactics and hope to come to some resolution in the future. By falling victim into their greedy little hands, the company has caused us major hardship by having, already, paid many times over what our legitmate charges were. I think everyone who works at Advanta should be ashamed of themselves for the devious and shamless tricks they are trained to pull.

Since we decided, we did not want to pay back all their fluff charges, they went ahead and sent us to collections. Now the collection company who buys the fluff debt, takes the fluff and reports it to my personal credit file, when in fact it is only a business card? Snowballing and crushing my personal credit files, all due to nothing personal to begin with?

The tactics go on and on and I am waiting to see if there will be a class action suit or something. I hope to sue them for damages at some point, from their silly little games and would love to help in any class action suits that should arise at some point. The problem in this world are the credit card companies such as Advanta and they need to be stopped. Especially being as dishonest as they are.

Advanta has been jacking the rates for anyone who has been carrying a balance with them, regardless of payment record, FICO score, credit rating, length of customer, or any reason at all. They claim they send out opt out notices. Amazingly noone seems to get them. They jack the rates to as high as 36% without anyone knowing.

They did the same to me. I closed my account when I found out, paid it off with home equity line, and was able to get excess interest back via complaint with Utah BBB. An attorney, Scott Feldman in Doylestown, PA was able to sue them in Philadelphia small claims court and get one of his clients back over $2,600 in excess interest. Alan Finkel, an attorney in Commack, NY is working on a class action lawsuit against Advanta. If you want to join google his name.

Advanta is closing 110,000 accounts this year and is letting loose of most of their smaller business customers because of the higher risk involved with these large amounts of unsecured credit. A lot of the other companies like Chase and Citibank are also raising rates to discourage anyone from carrying a balance and spending money.

We have excellent credit and have NEVER been late on this card (or ANY card). In May of this year I made an electronic payment which was 'kicked back' three days later due to insufficient bank routing #. I called and the lady told me they had a 'system glitch' over the weekend (I made the payment on Friday) and not to worry she would fix this to where I wasn't late and wouldn't owe a late fee. Great!, I thought to myself, and went on about my life. In October of this year my husband just happened to notice my statement and that the rate was a whopping 20.31% !!

I have never, ever had a finance charge remotely like that in my entire life! I called Advanta and expressed my *concerns* and flounced around a bit. I told them that what they were doing was unethical and to reduce my rate. They declined. I was carrying a $7,100.00 balance at the time - Out of sheer disgust I found a way to pay the entire balance off by the next due date (last month) to avoid such unreasonable finance charges. I told them to CLOSE out my account and to kiss off essentially. Here is where it gets GOOD.

Listen to this CAREFULLY ...... SO I paid the ENTIRE BALANCE OFF, IN FULL, LAST MONTH at the outrageous rate of 20.31%....

I received a bill TODAY in the amount of $171.14 AT THE INTEREST RATE OF 37.18% !!! I called Lana, a supervisor, who advised me that yes, they did increase the rate LAST MONTH and sent me a notice THAT I NEVER RECEIVED and told me I missed the opt out grace period if I wanted to refute the (SECOND) rate hike. The reasons they gave for the increase were totally bogus. I have a 800 beacon score and we have never charged anything on the card since I transferred the balance TWO YEARS AGO.

This Advanta MasterCard Credit Card was closed do to my wife. They wanted me to put her in jail because she used the Advanta Credit Card without my permission. I told Advanta I would would not do that. Advanta then asked me if I was going to take responsibility of the balance and I said I would. I then asked them to close the account so my wife couldn't do this again. They had no problem with that.

The Advanta Credit Card had a high balance and I beleive a 7.99% interest rate at the time of closure. I beleive this was in Sept. The Interst rate is now 27.18% for the purchases I had and 37.18 for the Cash Advances made. The balance on this account is $17427.84. I have called Advanta Customer Service on 3 separate occasions trying to get them to lower the interest rate. All they ever say is the account is closed and they can't change the interest rate.

Why didn't this credit card company tell my when closing an account the the interest rate would go sky high. I have told them because of what they are doing to me, I would not be able to pay them what they want. The interest alone is 432.24. I have been paying them on time every month and paying them way over the minimum charge to try and lower are debt, but it seems like this company either wants me to transfer the money to some other Credit Card Company(which I can't) or go Bankrupt!! They won't work with me at all.

Advanta offered me a zero % balance transfer for 15 months. I transferred about $15000 in July 2008. I paid of about 5000 within 4 months and was never late in making payments. I have credit scores of 750 and above. On 11/20/2008 I got a letter saying that they will be raising my interest rate to 30 % beginning 12/02/2008 . I called their customer service two times; the customer service reps told me that my interest will not be raised until the 15 month time period passes. I dont believe them, because it says clearly in the letter that the interest rate will go up to 30 %.

Excessive fees and abonorally higher interest rates, phone service charges. credit saver fee that is not in contract. Overall, rip off

Unable to pay the correct amount due because of cost added to the purchase amount which offers no benifit to consumer

Like so many others I've just read about, I accepted an offer a year or so ago from Advanta for a low interest on a balance transfer. When I opened my statement yesterday, I was floored at the amount of the minimum payment. I looked at the interest rate, and with no warning, it had jumped to 37.18%. I called and talked to Kathy.

Kathy said my account is in good standing and that she would see about lowering the rate. Of course, it was denied. I demanded to speak to a manager. Lee proceeded to insult my intelligence by saying that Advanta periodically reviews accounts to determine who might be at risk. Although I've never been late and always, always pay more than the minimum monthly payment, I am determined to be at risk of possibly defaulting! I said, Oh, I see. So if my cell phone company decides I might not make my payment on time, they have the right to arbitrarily increase the monthly payment without notice? Has it occurred to you people that you might be increasing my risk by pulling a stunt like this?

This guy had the nerve to suggest I call back in three or four months, and maybe they will consider lowering the interest rate. My last words to him before hanging up on him were shame on you. I'm fortunate that a family member will loan me enough to pay off this card. My question is at what point does Consumer Affairs or anyone else take all of these comments and experiences into consideration and do something about this outrageous bank?!

I own a small business, and I had used this card strictly for a balance transfer. I've made no purchases with it. The monthly payment of $350, combined with other financial responsibilities related to my business, have created a stressful sitution. I have better things to do than to spend my time with individuals who have absolutely no vested interest in the company they work for but have the mindless power and authority to pull stunts like this.

Noticed that my interest seemed too high for my balance, so looked at my statement and realized my interest rate went from 7.99% to 27.18%. Called customer support and was told that I received a letter, which I did not, and that after revaluating my account it was decided that the new rate was more appropriate. I asked for specific reasons but the representative could not give me any. I have a FICO score just shy of 800. I have never been late and I have always paid more than the minimum due. I was floored and so grateful that I have a low balance on this account.

Was told a supervisor would call me back. If they do not lower my rate I will pay the account off and never use the card again.

I got my Advanta card in July of '08, and I balance transferred $3,500.00 onto it. It had a 0 percent interest rate for balance transfers that I understood to be good for a year, after that the interest was supposed to be 7.99 percent. When I talked to the customer service representative on the phone (the one with good english that tries to sell you credit insurance) she assured me that my interest rate would never go above 7.99 percent.

It is now November of '08 - that is four months - and I have received a letter from Advanta stating that my interest rate will be increased to 22.59 percent plus the Variable Rate Index. No explanation whatsoever is given for the rate increase, it is simply a pamphlet full of fine print. I have never had a late payment. The letter states that if I want to opt out I have to close my account by mailing them specified information by the last business day before December 2, 2008. I received the letter on Nov. 22, 2008(a Saturday), and do you think it's a coincidence that next week is Thanksgiving, making the last business day Nov. 26 2008?

That gives me three business days to act on this, I'll have to overnight the opt out letter to have a chance of it arriving in time. If there's a class action lawsuit, count me in, before this starts costing me big money!

I signed up for an advanta credit card with 8.99 interest. 4 months passed and my bill came with 24.5%. My bills have never been late and my balance was about 400 dollars. I called and was told by their India call center customer service rep. that due to economic conditions my rate would be increased. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH ADVANTA. THEY OFFER A LOW RATE AND THEN JACK IT UP WITH THE HOPE THAT YOU CANT PAY IT OFF. I closed the account the same day I received the bill.

With no prior notice and no change in my payment routine, increased the interest rate on my account from 16.99 to 35.08 percent. Upon calling for clarification, their response was based on a review of the account and my credit report and other factors that led them to believe this was in their best interests. I asked if my account was past due, no. I asked if I had missed payments, no. I asked if I was late with payments, no. I was told although they understood there was nothing they could do. After I went through 3 levels of supposed management I was told I had the chance to reject the change but failed to respond to their written information. I told them I never received any mailing. They said their records showed a letter was sent.

After I had heated discussions on this point I was told that if I would fax them notification that I rejected the rate increase, they could reduce the rate back to the former level, and the account would have to be closed. I agreed and faxed the proper notification the same day. I montiored my online account as the time came closer to the due date and no adjustment had been made. I called again and had to go through the whole routine again. This time I was told they never received the fax and I had to go through several layers of supposed managemenbt again, until I got someone who said to re-fax to her attention and it would be corrected. I did and later saw that the amount of interest due on the account had been reduced.

Thinking this would end the matter and my closed account would now be paid off at the former interest, I didn't notice on the next bill that the interest rate was not back at the 16.99% but was at 17.46%. This month's bill came in and the interest rate is 18.33%! I called again and was told that even though the account is closed they can still adjust the rate every month based on the LIBOR rates!

This is outrageous conduct on the part of this bank. My previous balance was $17514.96. My last payment was $515.00. My finance charge for this month is $300.91. My new balance is $17.300.87. So from my last payment $214.09 went to the principal and $300.91 went for interest. This is outrageous behavior from an outfit calling itself a bank! And we have spotless credit reports...except we have very high balances because of the economy, etc. But we are not folks who don't meet their obligations.

We accepted the card in March of 2008. For 7.99% interest for $3000 credit limit. We used it all the time and paid hundreds each month even up to $1200 always early never late or even close most months the bill said 0 due. Then all of a sudden they increased our rate to 31% We were floored. Called customer service and received the same reception as every one else. We never received notice of an increase. Were told we sent a letter out last month (October 2008). We did not get this letter. She claims its shows that we did.

I ask why and the reasons were. We check your personal and buisness credit rating (they did not) and base it on that and other things. Our credit rating for all is in the 700's. She said we also base it on how you make your payments and how you use your card OK...we use it and we pay excellent. She said we feel you are a high risk for not making your payments We ask why and she could not come up with anything new.

After talking to 3 different people, Suppose to be each ones supervisor, all with the same answer. We tried to pay it off with 2 different accounts and the last one told me We only accept payments every 3rd day and cannot accept 2 payments at once I said how much will the interest be for those 3 days. She said greater than $2.00 A DAY. That was for only $1200. can you imagine what people owing larger amounts have to pay daily.

I learned that Advanta more than double my interest rate on my credit card. They say that they review accounts at the end of a 12 month period. I was late 2 twice they said. What they did not take in to account is that one of the late fee was contested because of computer issues. Additionally, I regularly pay more than my balance owed on the account in monthly payments. I'm at 32% now!

This is causing me to take longer to payoff a remaining balance. I feel their action is a result of them gouging customers because of the economy. They mentioned fear of defaults as a reason for raising the percentage. Rubbish. If they push people towards defaults the credit company would benefit some way either as write off or insurance coverage. So I feel something of this nature is why Advanta made the decision to find reasons increase rates on accounts. I would like a lower rate, and to prevent all credit companies from raising rates drastically during this recession period.

Advanta has jacked the interest rates now on over 200 small business owners. A class action lawsuit is in progress. Advanta has made some concessions with complaints filed with the Utah BBB and some other methods. All the people they have remedied, though, are required to close their accounts.

I completed the hardship form online with Advanta notifying them of my difficulties with both today's economic times and the fact that my husband has lost his eye sight. So his income it primarily from Social Security. I didn't even get the courtesy of a response.

Recently I asked if I could pay a lesser amount or interest only (ridiculous but grabbing at straws) I was told this couldn't be done. So rather than getting some kind of payment, I am sending them nothing.

They could care less....I have found trying to speak to anyone is useless, it's like they shut you out completely. Heartless to say the least.

I have had an Advanta business card for 2 years with a 7.99 % interest rate. The interest rate jumped to 25.08% in Oct., then to 26.31% in Nov., and now it's 27.18% in Dec. I called customer service and was told by Jasmine that a letter was sent to me in September, which stated that according to a credit review my interest rate would be raised. I never received the letter and I explained that there must have been some mistake because I've never been late on a payment, etc. She said there was no mistake and I was free to call back in 90 days to see if a lower rate could be offered at that time.

I couldn't believe it and asked to speak with a supervisor. Jasmine said she was the highest I could go. I hung up. After stewing awhile, I called again and spoke with Sharon who gave me the same spiel. She started with the letter being sent and ended with the suggestion to call back in 90 days. They've got quite the script of lies, and while I didn't say that, I did tell her that she had it well memorized. Based solely on assumption, sounds like they're bootin' us out!

My interest rate jumped almost 20%, which of course affects my balance! It's unethical that a credit card company should do that. Are they trying to pay their bills or line their pockets? Either way, their method is unequivocally wrong.

Yesterday I wrote about my horrible and eye-opening experience with Advanta Credit Card Services. What I didn't mention was this - I believe what Advanta is doing to their customers in Financial Profiling. Looking into a person's account and assuming that this customer 'will be' a risk, then increasing the interest rate. It sounds very illegal to me and actually no different from profiling someone because of race, gender or nationality. Isn't there something we can do?

When paying my November Advanta bill, I noticed they changed my finance charges from 9.9% to 31.31%. I called to see why, as I was not late on my pymt. The service rep I spoke with had very broken english, hard to understand. He checked and said he could lower it to 21%. Not happy with him, his english and advanta I closed my account. I owe them a large sum of money and at that intrest rate will never get it paid off. My only option is seek legal advice on bankruptcy steps.

I run a small business. It is our familys only source of income. Advantas tactics of raising inrest is unfair and can jepordise my business future.

I aAccepted an introductory rate of 0% for one year, supposed to be raised to 7.9% for the duration of the loan.

Instead, they raised my interest rate to 31% despite NEVER a late payment... NEVER over limit... and excellent credit rating. My monthly interest charges went from $100 to $400 plus.

There is no way I could have kept up with my payment. At this rate, I would have gone out of business, had I not had other options.

I've taken a loan out on my 20+ years worth of life insurance to pay these predators off. I am closing my account. I feel sorry for other businesses who cannot get out. Someone MUST help.

As I stated above, I had an alternative. If it hadn't been for that, it would have been complete financial ruin for my infant business. I would have bee aborted before ever having a chance.

I have been a customer of Advanta Bank Corp since April 2005. Up to and including October 2008, I have been charged 7.99 percent interest on the Platinum Business credit card. Suddenly in November 2008 the finance charge increased to 26.31 percent with no warning what so ever. I contacted customer service and explained my reason for calling. The representative started to read a statement which started off by saying that I have become a substantial risk and that they were basing this on my credit report. I stopped him in the middle and requested to speak to a supervisor. He refused at first claiming that the supervisor was going to state the same thing which in fact she did.

They both claimed that my business and I personally have become a substantial risk after reviewing my credit report. I asked for specifics because I knew for a fact that my credit rating was in good standing and my FICO score was in the mid to high 700. They refused to provide any specific information. I also stated that my credit limit on the card was $19,000 and that I have never exceeded or come close to that amount. The fact is that I am only carrying a $9,000 outstanding balance on the card at this time and have been for some time. I also stated that I have always made my payments on time and my payments have always exceeded the minimum amount which is usually in the range of $1000 to $2000 per month. I also stated that I have a substantial and verifiable monthly income which would negate any risk at all. My debt to income ratio is very low. They refused to listen to me any further and stated that the finance rate was not going to change. The supervisor also stated that she was going to note my comments in the computer. I became extremely frustrated and decided to end the call.

It is my belief that my credit report has not been reviewed by Advanta. I am subscribed to the credit reporting agencies and thus far since November 2007 there has been no inquiry made by Advanta. During my conversation with the supervisor, she claimed that I was notified by mail regarding the increased finance rate. I explained to her that I never received any such notice, but she made it sound like I was being untruthful. The substantial increase in the finance rate is out right extortion. There is no legitimate reason for the increase which basically tripled. If there is a Class Action claim planned then I will gladly partake in this collective effort. After reading all the other postings, I now understand that I am not alone and that the increase was not justified or warranted based on anything I have done.

The finance charge increase is now placing a strain on the business. I have had a declined in additional business for the year and I am being forced to cut back just so I can cover the monthly interest payment on the credit card.

S

Luckily it hasn't caused me any financial discomfort, however, that shouldn't matter, it's the principal. Companies should not take advantage (befitting name Advanta)of consumers, period.

I was offered a credit card with an introductory rate of 0% a few years ago. I applied and recieved it. After the introductory period my interest rate was 7.99%. A few months ago I realized that my minimum payment was very large. I looked closer at the statement and my interest rate was 35.8% To my knowledge I was never late and never went over my credit limit. I pulled out past statements and found that my rate had been increasing since March, 2008. Starting with March the rate has been: 18.99% 18.31% 16.99% 18.99% 35.49% 35.39% 35.80% 36.31% 37.18%

I called Advanta and was told that they were re-evaluating their interest rates and there was nothing I could do. I could check back in 90 days to see if there was a better rate available. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told that was not possible. They told me that I was sent an opt-out letter that I had never recieved. I opened a new veterinary practice 3 years ago and I did use this card to carry a balance to help me through the first few lean years.

I moved and paid off as much as possible and will be paying the balance this month. Looking on-line I see that this a common event with Advanta. Can't SOMETHING be done? It's cost me a fair bit in interest and has probably negatively affected my credit rating. Thank you

My monthly payment due date on my credit card was 11/02/08. (which is a saturday). I made my payment thru there website (electronic). They recevied the payment on 11/04. Theyhave charegd me late fee and finacial charge @32 %.

Advanta! I had a decent rate and it recently increased to 37.1%. I did not change anything in my credit history nor have I ever been late with payments. The did last year increase my cedit by $15,000 so they at least thought I was ok back then. I have contacted them several times only to be told that I am likely to default and that is why they raised the rate. My daughter is an attorney and I have forwarded information for her to review.

Paying over $990 per month interest. It is causing a cash flow problem in my business due to the economic slow down we are induring.

My rate went from 17.08 to 36.31 for no reason other than they said they can. When i opened this account the promotion rate was 2.99 for a year and a half to roll over at 7.99 for the life of the balance. I felt that this would be a good card for my business. Over time it has increased to where it is now.

I have not used this account for 2 years now and was making head way on paying it down so that i could close it. With this increase the minimum is out of reach and still be able to manage my inventory and care for my customers. I need some relief and help on what i can do

my purchasing powder with my suppilers has been greatly compromised. I can not maintain inventory levels to care for my customers, to keep my business going.

Advanta raised my rate from 16% trat was also raise for 9% up to now 36%. I have been making my payments on time. i called them and they told me there is nothing they can due, du to thier econmic statuse. I do not have a problem paying them at the original rate but this i may have to close my business. Im not the only one a simple surch will show many more people who found out that there rate hase jump to thees high rates.

my paymentas where about $160 not the jumped to $260 and the last stament showed over 400.

Like everyone else here, i got the card with the 7.9% interest and have also had it raised to nearly 36%. To me this is nothing more than predatory lending and it should be dealt with accordingly.

I own a small business and i can tell you that a 16,000 balance at 7.9 runs around 220 a month.... go to 36% and you can only imagine. This will ruin you financially in a very short time. Totally unacceptable.

I am a small business owner and I opened up an account with Advanta bank in 2006 and made a balance transfer on their introductory rate of 0% apr for 15 months. I made my payments on time and never went over the limit, I even several payments a month, as you can make up to 4 payments a month on the internet. Their website advertises 0% for15 months and then 7.99% fixed thereafter on balace transfers. Every month I have continued to pay my bill on time, never letting the card go over the limit, I have been on time with all of my bills and have an excellent credit score of 789.

They recently sent me another promotion for a balance transfer of a fixed rate of 0% once again for 12 months. Which I made a transfer in the spring of 08. Then on September 1st, 2008 for no reason and without any notice advanta decided to raise my rate to to 26.31% without any notice. I called and emailed them and they sai my rate was raised on Libor + 22.99% and I asked them if the could give me an explanation and they said that I was considered high risk. I could not understand, my credit is excellent, I have never been late, I have never been over the limit, my credit score is high, I am on time with all of my bills.

I asked to talk to a supervisor instead of some offshore customer service rep that barely spoke English and they said supervisors do not speak to customers. But they would leave a message to have one call me back. In two months I have been charge almost $1000 in interest. I asked them to credit me the finance charges and they said could not. I then said can you at least re-evaluate and give me a specific answer as too why I am at high risk, and they said they were unable to tell me that as it was confidential. I don't understand this.

Each time I called and asked to speak with someone about lowering the interest rate I was told by the operator could not offer a lower rate at that time. BUT I was welcome to call back in 90 DAYS to ask for a lower rate again. When I told her that was not acceptable she offered to have me talk to a supervisor. One would call me. No supervisor ever called and their is no supervisor available to speak with me. This is the type of things that are hurting our economy and small businesses.

I would like the outrageous fees I have been charged to be reversed and my rate to come back down to 7.9 if they want to keep me as a customer. I have not problem paying this account off but I want the money refunded for the high interest rate I will pay 7.9 but not 26.31. It is changing every month.

I was a loyal customer of this bank and borrowed money many times for my business etc. always paying them back. I am a self-employeed single mother with no outside help to survive. Two years ago my business suffered and I was in need of a quick loan to keep my business afloat and to keep my bills current. I borroed $18,000.00 over a period of two months on a 5.9 rate and began paying back on monthly terms. My business picked up and things got better. In December of 07 I had unexpected plumbing problems with my home and had to move out for about a month. it caused me to be late on several of my bills. These companies charged late fees which I paid but Advanta chose to raise my interest rate to 17%.

All of a sudden last September they raised my interest rate to 30.9 and have now raised it to 31.9! My finance charge is $381.00 and is more than I can afford to pay to get this loan paid off! I have called and begged and shouted in desperation to please lower this rate but they tell me since I closed out the account that there no way they can work with me! Instead they just keep raising it instead of lowering it and I'm afraid of what it might be next month! I have a good credit score and am trying to refinance my home and I have a nine year old son who I'm responsible for and am having many sleepless nights worrying what this is going to do to me eventually.

The outcome of this is going to cost me dearly. I have a minimum due of over $500.00 and the interest is over $350.00. I was late last month and not only did I have to pay a $39.00 late fee but now they want a minimum of $1,063.00! I can not afford to pay that much and have since then sent them the last minimum due. I'm afraid they are just going to make it worse on me each month which causes me more and more grief and despair! If there is any recourse please let me know. I have run out of time and options and my credit is at great risk. Thank you in advance.

The interest rate on a credit card that I have held with this company for several years jumped up to over 37%. I have never been late, I have never gone over limit. I have no delinquent accounts at all on my credit report. My FICO score is about 700. I called and was given a ridiculous response with no specifics as to what caused the hike.

Excess interest charges for several months. I was, thankfully, able to pay the card off and close the account.

I also have been a victim of Advanta bank. My rate was hiked to 32% interest, same reasons that everyone has been giving. I did get the notice of the rate change and almost passed out. I called them and was told this was the rate if I went into default. I took a breath of relief, knowing I have never missed any payments on anything.

Well silly me. The customer servive rep was wrong. This was my new rate. I talked to 3-4 reps after getting my statement that day and got nowhere. Finally threating them to report them to the BBB did the trick. ( or at least I hope it did). I was finally told they would extend my OPT out right if I faxed it to them. I did do that and now the waiting game starts to see if it went in or not.

$300 a month in interest. Mentally abused and was treated like scum because I held a high balance.

I have been a good customer of Advanta Bank Corp for a long time. I have called 3 times in the last 3 months to inquirer about the interest on my account. The interest rate changed from 13.99% to 20.08% in September, 20.08% to 31.31% in October, and finally to 32.18% in November. I have no changes in my credit report it still remains in the lower 700; I have no changes in how I use the card. I have no changes in my payment history. I pay my bill on time each and every month, I always pay higher then the minimum payment.

NO ONE that I have spoken to has been able to give a reason for this grossly over charging of interest on my credit card. I called the customer service department and no one seems to be able to help me, they claim that due to my activities, credit history and their policies they have the right to increase my interest any time they feel the need to. The representatives that I talked to seemed to be reading from a script, their replies were exactly the same.

They all told me that a letter was sent out and that it had all the details of why my interest rate was increasing. first off I did not receive a letter from them and secondly why did they not attach it to my bill? Their response was they are required to send it separate from their bill statements. I believe that a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT is the best remedy for fixing this in-Justus and would be happy to be part of it. Need Help Please!

I will be unable to pay off my balance due to the high interest rate, in fact I may not over time be able to afford the minimum payment amount.

I read your all posting and I too have had my share of problems with ADVANTA, they are definitely the worst company I have ever dealt with. I have good credit and When I acquired the credit card I had an 7.99 %, I did use a balance transfer which they charged me 19.99% but in the last two statements I noticed that my interest jumped to an unbelievable 35.46 %.

I called to complain but got no clear answer as to why, I have never missed a payment nor have I ever been late on a payment. I am outrage at this, my business is no longer producing any income and I am finding it very difficult to pay the outrageous monthly payment.

I have called them on several occasions to see if they have some kind of payment plan or if they can lower my interest but that as well has had no results. Please let me know what else can I do, I am extremely frustrated and I do not want to ruin my perfect credit for this.

Advanta raised my interest rate from the promissed 7.99% (life of 1st year's charges) without notice to over 25%. They said they sent a notice to opt out on September 15th, with a due date to respond by October 3rd, but no such notice was ever received. I have impeccable credit and have never missed or been late on a payment, and they say they don't have a program at 7.99 any more.

They are still advertising the same 7.99% and would not tell me exactly why my rate was raised except that it was due to the economy and that I no longer met their model and was considered a credit risk. They were asked to send a copy of my original agreement but refused and said they'd send me a copy of my current terms of the agreement that I accepted by using the card in the first place. They did not give me even 30 days to respond to opt out of the rate increase.

Had to lay off 2 employees, shrink the business and reduce profit levels. Unable to order new equipment needed for business at that rate, cash flow minimized and will never be able to pay off the card at that rate as minimum payment jumped by $150+ and is now only going to interest instead of principal. May have to file Chapter 7 or close/sell business.

This is the e-mail that I sent ADVANTA. I have been a good customer of Advanta bank corp for many many years. I have called 3 times in the past week about the interest on my account. The interest rate changed from 13.74% to 31.31%. I have no changes in my credit report; I have no changes in how I use the card. I have no changes in my payment history. I pay my bill in full each month same as I have from the first day I used the card. NO ONE that I have spoken to has been able to give a reason for this gross over charge of interest on my credit card. I have been a customer for years.

I need to talk with someone that has the authority to help me. I am sure theres been a mistake. I know that Advanta would not rip off a very loyal customer such as me. I have many choices in my credit cards that I can use, but I have always stayed with your company. I have had an Advanta Platinum Business Card for many years. The interest rate for purchases was 13.9% until August 2008, at which time the interest rate was increased to 31.31%.

I called the customer service department on Oct. 20rd and asked for a reason for the significant increase to the interest rate. I was told that the rate was increased for general reasons including payment history and credit scores. I told the customer service rep. that I had a perfect payment history and all my credit scores were over 765. I also told the customer service rep. that general reasons did not make any sense and that I needed specific reasons. At that point, the customer service rep said: I can not give out specific reasons. At that point I realized that the conversation was going no-where and that his bosses were likely telling the customer service reps to give the same general answers to good customers such as myself. On November 5th, I read over 32 pages worth of complaints about Advanta on the Consumeraffairs website. I believe that a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT is the best remedy. Thank you,

In September of 2005 I applied for an Advanta Card and was given an appealing fixed rate of 7.99%. I have never been late on a payment and always gave more than was due. In September '08 my rate was raised to 25.08% and in October 26.31%.. My current credit score is well above 700.

When my wife contacted Advanta she was told that we should have received a letter in the mail about the above increase (no letter was sent) and also that after compiling our credit history that I was considered a high risk. If I was such a high risk than why did they keep raising my credit limit? As a small business owner I feel that Advanta is taking us to the bank due to the current economic standing and something should and needs to be done.

Advanta? WATCH YOUR BILL!!! I have had an Advanta business card for 2 years. Class action lawsuit...I'm in. My credit limit was $12,000. Never a late payment, usually a high balance and over $100,000 spent on the card since I had it. As of 2 months ago my interest rate was 7.99, not promotional but my normal interest. After analyzing my bill I found that my interest was raised to 27%.

Customer service is a joke. Under our criteria this is what your interest should be and no sir, it's confidential WHY that decision was made. I believe that Advanta is hoping that people won't notice so they can quickly get cash before their company is in total failure. Once that happens, try to get reimbursed for their criminal acts. Lawsuits won't fly. Watch the news. They will probably be the next bank to go under. They are thieves plain and simple. I paid off my $10,500 balance and wrote them one nasty email.

advanta raise my fixed rates from 7.99 to 26.31 for no reason at all. they have been doing this to hundreds of small business co. in the last month its not right never would i use a 26.31 credit card this smakes of loan sharking, what can i do i do not have the money to pay it off but i am out raged at there greed. they are backed by the fci so how is the goverment letting them to this to us . ours is a smal one man co. we pay our taxes and the goverment is letting us down on this

i have not been able to sleep at night knowing that a credit card co. is allowed to do this , have been so ill and disstraught and so sick at heart please let me know what i can do.

I was solicited by Advanta to open a Business Acct. I did so with a FIXED RATE OF $7.99 FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE ORIGINAL BALANCE. THIS WAS IN WRITING AND ALL OVER THE ITERNET. In return for being a good customer and paying on time or in advance and always more than due MY RATE IS NOW ALMOST 36% When is the Attorney General going to do something about this?

Every call is met with stupidity well that is the best we can offer you and we can raise the rate o change the terms anytime we want. We need intervantion at a legal level.

I cannot afford the payment now and Advanta has single handedly just about ruined my previously good credit rating and scores so I cannot get another account to transfer the balance to.

I opened my credit card in June 08 at a 7.99% interest rate. I just received my Oct.08 statement and my interest rate jumped to a whopping 31.31% interest rate. When I called to find out why the rep said that they reviewed my account and decided I was a high risk of default. That is ridiculous because my credit report has not changed, I have very good credit and have not defaulted on payment of this card.

They said I received a notice in September about the change in terms, which I did NOT receive. I also did not receive my September statement which resulted in a late fee.I only paid my bill 2days late when I went online to check my account and saw what the due date was. It was already 2 days past the due date unfortunately.They also hit me with a late in august even though I paid my bill extremely early towards the end of July.

This interest rate hike and refusal to lower the rate is criminal and the credit card company needs to be brought to justice. a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS DEFINITELY IN ORDER. Consumers need government protection from credit card LOAN SHARKING!

Due to the current economic crisis and the difficulty to obtain loans, this may very well put my already struggling small business OUT OF BUSINESS.

Advanta Business Card -- Improper disclosure of interest rate increase

interest rate damages and cost to transfer balance. Would like to participate in class-action lawsuit & pursue criminal damages against Advanta

I have been a good customer making payments on time for over the minimum. However over the summer my account balance was raising without my understanding why and when I researched it I found that begining in May they start raising my interest rate from 7.99% to over 35% now. Around that same period they reduced my limit from $10k down to $8k and last month they charged an over limit fee (seperate from the higher interest rate) because their unauthorized charges during the past four months has put me over the limit.

I have tried to resolve this with customer services but they only say the same, I understand but there is nothing I can do. I have filed a formal complaint with the Utah BBB and have notified my attorney general, and other governmental office. Now I intend to flood the media with this issue, maybe something will catch on and we can bring more attention to this nationally. This morning I shredded my card.

Economic damages are substantial because they include the unauthorized interest and resulting fees plus the compounding of these charges over the past several months. My estimate is that there is between $1,000-$1,500 in economic damages but my larger concern is how this will affect my future credit, or if I will need to default because I cannot make even the minimum payments at this point, payments that would be at least double the minimum if the unauthorized charges were removed or not considered.

I have had an Advanta Platinum Business Card for many years. The interest rate for purchases was 7.99% until September 2008, at which time the interest rate was increased to 20.39%. I called the customer service department on Sept. 3rd and asked for a reason for the significant increase to the interest rate. I was told that the rate was increased for general reasons including payment history and credit scores. I told the customer service rep. that I had a perfect payment history and all my credit scores were over 740. I also told the customer service rep. that general reasons did not make any sense and that I needed specific reasons.

At that point, the customer service rep said: I can not give out specific reasons. At that point I realized that the conversation was going no-where and that his bosses were likely telling the customer service reps to give the same general answers to good customers such as myself. On October 29th, I read over 20 pages worth of complaints about Advanta on the Consumeraffairs website. I believe that a CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT is the best remedy.

Economic damages include higher interest expenses every month.

I opened a business credit card account with Advanta in April 2007 that provided a 7.99% rate. I have never been late and have always paid at least the minimum payment due and my rate has increased to just over 30%. The customer service at this company was of absolutely no help and could not give an understandable reason for the rate hike. The representative told me that it was due to the fact that I haven't used the card for some time, calling it a card utilization increase. The card was not being used because it was at its limit, plus I have destroyed the card. I was also told that I should make a $500.00 payment for the next three months and they would consider lowering my rate. This type of treatment is totally unacceptable and the individuals and businesses affected need to come together and file a class action lawsuit.

I have been a customer for about 3-4 years and applied, issued 6.99%. Everything was good, until they raised my rate; over the last years here I am at 36.31% and like everyone else I have not been late or defaulted on anything including this account. They did raise my limit so I must have been doing something right. I DID NOT recieve a opt out notice however, I did complain; Upon use of my card today I found that Advanta had closed my account!

I called and they told me It was because my email about reporting them to the state attorney general constituted the opt out letter. If I want them to reopen the accout I must send them a letter stating that I Agree with the New Terms and Conditions and Then they will consider re-instating my account. This should be illegal. This will not shut me down as I do have the funds to pay off my card but, This will ruin many small business'.

It's Advanta again! I have been offered to open a Mastercard business account at 9% APR and within a year they jacked up the rates to over 30%. I always paid my bills, more than the minimum. I simply don't understand why there are no laws that protect the consumers from such bait and switch tactics! This should be a crime!

I have over ten grand in bills due, it will definitely add another 3000 or more to these bills, forcing me to limit my purchases and ultimately close business!

I have been with Advanta for many years. Over the past year they have been raising my interest rates. Never sending out disclosures. Currently my rate is 36.31%. I have never been late, never missed a payment and over 750 credit score. They refuse to lower rate.

About a month ago I was charge on a balance that my account didn't even have. After arguing with them for over a hour. I transferred the balance to another card so I wounldn't have to pay this crazy interest rate. I had to pay bank trasfer fees. However, they were lower that Advanta's loan shark amount.

DO NOT APPLY FOR AN ADVANTA CARD - Raised credit card rates for no valid reason or notice. A classic bait and switch.

I received a phone message asking me to call the card company because a statement had been retutned to them because of an incorrect mailing address. I had received statements from them for nearly a year with no problem with the address as I have lived at this address for 33+ years there was no address change. Upon calling and confirming that they indeed had the correct address I requested that they send me a new statement so I could pay it without late fees and was told that they would infact do that right away. After not hearing from them for about a week I again called them and requested a statement. I was assured they would be sending one right out. Still no statement.

So I got online to see what was going on with my account and found out that not only was I being charged a late fee for a statement I had not received but also finance charges were assessed. Still I had not received a statement so I again called to speak with someone and was told they would not remove the late charges. After speaking with their consumer specialist once more I decided that my best option would be to close the account and I told them to cancel my card. Two days later I received 2 phone calls requesting immediate payment of the account for which I still had received no statement. On Monday I received a letter that had no problem reaching this address requesting immediate payment. And subsequently, I received the first statement for which I had not been able to receive before.

The next day I received two more statements requesting immediate payment. I wrote several emails trying to get the late fees dropped and I did pay my statement omitting the late fees, still hoping they would do right by me. No such luck! Today I paid the late fees and am glad to be rid of this company.

Hopefully I will not suffer damage to my credit rating as I have excellent credit rating. I have been with Master Card for 17 years with no late fees ever. I was out $19.00 for a late fee and felt their customer service was very poor.

Advanta sent a notice they would be raising my interest substantially. I had the chance to opt out, and continue to pay on the card at the currant rate. I sent them a letter opting out, and would have paid my usual $1000/ month until it was paid. I was never late, or missed a payment. I have had to make some repairs to equipment at the office, and used the card to pay, so my balance was quite high, but not over, and I always paid more than the minimum. They claim they never got my letter, so the interest was raised to 36.31%. I called to complain and was basically told, too bad. We mail thousands of letters from this office in a years time, and none ever seem to get lost, yet the letter to them did.

I live in Florida. My house is homesteaded, so they can do nothing to take it or put a lien on it. I rent office space. They cannot take the equipment and supplies I require to make a living. I have a 10 year old minivan only. I have no retirement account or savings. I have no stocks, or 401K. If they choose to ruin my credit rating, that doesn't prevent me from keeping my other cards, and paying on them as usual. My life will change very little. There are ways to stop the harassment, so I am paying them nothing. They can eat the $30,000. After four years, there is a statute of limitations, and they can't collect the debt is gone.

I give them the same respect, they show me, and will treat them the same. They could have had it paid, if they weren't so greedy, now they will get nothing. I'll tough it out. If enough people do the same, we can put them out of business very quickly. A consumer revolt.

Much like all of the complaints from it looks like hundreds of people, the rate for my company have been raised to 36.32% by Advant. I've never been late on a payment ever, to any loan, but Advanta, could now break my company. I've had promises from supervisers, promising to lower rates, and they raise tem more the next statement. I've spent hours on the phone with them and no one keeps their word. Is there any help for small businesses, like mine who needs help now?

My business and my employees are going to join the un-employed, if Advanta doesn't work with me.

Like so many other small business owners with good payment history and excellent credit ratings, Advanta has inexplicably raised my interest rate to 35% by amending the card agreement. Luckily I opened the junk-looking mail from Advanta that arrived today (October 21, 1008) telling me I must opt out and close my account before the last business day before November 3, 2008. That is not even two weeks away!

I called customer service and finally talked to somebody in India who could only give me a scripted answer about considering a number of factors in raising my interest rate to such and unbelievable level. You can bet I will be sending my opt out letter by registered mail tomorrow, so they can't claim to not have received it.

None yet, but it is a major hassle to call of my vendors that have this card number on file as I approach my holiday ordering season for my retail boutique. I am truly afraid of what may happen if somebody accidentally tries to use the card for an order without my authorization. Clearly I will get nowhere with customer service if something goes wrong. I just want others to AVOID ADVANTA like the plague.

Same story as many above. We have 8 employees with these cards, spend 15-20k per month, never late on a payment. Our rate went from 10.99% to 31%. Will pay off card and cancel account this month.

But how can they do this in good conscience? People and businesses are struggling right now and they stick it to us. The greed of these people is beyond belief.

Advanta jacked my interest rate to 30.05%. I lost $600 in unnecessary interest.

I looked at my recent advanta statement, I was suprised to see the minimum had gone up by the previous month by almost double. I know there was some coming minimum payment law changes, so I didn't think too much about it - until I looked at the APR rate I was being charged...they had more than TRIPLED our purchases rate to 26.31%, and over 2 months our special promotion rate had MULTIPLIED by 5X to 36.31%! That is not an interest rate by a bank - that is a loan shark rate!!

When I called the woman was very cold, and just kept repeating that Advanta had made a business decision to raise rates, I was sent a notice last month that the rates would be going up, and there was nothing she could do. Thanks advanta! Way to support small business!

I am getting charged more for interest per month than my minimum due as of last month.

I had recently had knee surgery and had lost my job so I returned to full-time self-employment status which I maintained for the 8 years prior. I had never been late on a payment with any of my creditors prior to this and had a credit score of over 700 for at least the past 10 years. I was informed about their hardship program for which I had to apply and, subsequently, took 3 months for approval with a minimum payment of $170/month at 0% interest for 6 months. I was informed I could reapply after 6 months if I needed to.

I had a second surgery on the same knee 5 months after the first and my husband lost his job soon thereafter so I requested a hardship extension and was told that since I'm working (at home) and that my surgery wasn't affecting my 'job' it didn't matter that my husband - the primary breadwinner - was recently unemployed and having a difficult time collecting unemployment (which, had he gotten it, would have bee insignificant.) I informed them that I have 2 children to care for as well and they said there was nothing they could do.

When I received my first statement after the expiration of the hardship program, my minimum payment was over $300/mo with HUGE finance charges and late fees. I could barely afford the $170 in their so-called hardship program (Chase has a much better program, lowering my payment for a similar balance to only $84/mo for 12 months.) Advanta's reps are rude and insulting. I have never spoken to one who wasn't. For a company that caters to small businesses, they are a complete joke.

I filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Oct. 2008, not to mention the stress from Advanta's collection department calling me in excess of 10 times per day beginning at 8 am every day while I was 'behind' even after I informed them I had retained an attorney. My attorney finally got them to stop. I haven't slept through the night for over a year, I've lost weight, and my hair has been falling out in clumps. My relationship with my husband has been strained from the stress as well and I've had to send my kids to their dad's more often (he's local) because I can't take care of them properly at times.

Looking for others to join us in a class action lawsuit against Advanta. They did the exact same things to me. Jacked rate to 30.05%, not notice received, no recourse.

I lost over $600 in interest. an attorney in NY who they also screwed over to join a class action lawsuit.

As all off the above cases for no reason my rates have gone to the maximum interest rate of 36.10%. I have excellent credit and been on time with payments.

This cannot be legal and we must not stand for it. The financial institutions of this country have just received an obscene amount of our taxpayer dollars and still they are sticking it to us again.

Advanta did not sent notices. I have been a small business customer since October 2002, and Iris, Operator JD1, all the way from India (when I called October 14, 2008 @ 5:20 pm et) said she was an Account Manager and that no-one else could help me because their research showed in these bad economic times that I could be a risk.

I have always paid on time, never gone over my limit and was raised from 10.5% in September 2008 to 31.31% October 2008 statement. I have an outstanding credit rating. This is predator lending at its best.

$100 more in interest in October 2008 statement.

Our company did a balance transfer a little over a year ago to a credit card with Advanta. We locked in a 2.99% APR rate for the life of the balance. Our relations with Advanta were so good the first year, we decided to to a smaller transfer of $3,500 a few months later. We didnt get the 2.99% rate, but they did lock us down for 9.99%. We accepted and transferred the money. A few months later, we received a statement with a 20.08% finance charge. We were outraged. We were never informed of this rate increase (had we known we would have cancelled the card immediately). We called Advanta immediately and were treated with such disrepect by the supervisor of the Salt Lake City, Utah offer, my boss was blue in the face.

Travis was condesending and completely rude to my boss stating We dont have to have a reason to raise your rate I was OUTRAGED to say the least. Not only would he not give us a specific reason as to why our rate went up, stating they had the right to do it without informing us. Upon further talks in a second conversation (With a very wonderful and plesant woman named Linda from the PA office) we were given the name of Travis (who would not give us his last name) and were told in more detail that a letter was sent 8/4/08 (we never received it and Im the most OCD person when it comes to mail- color coded filed, calendar of payments, etc...) they stated that due to the economic crisis they were raising rates in fear of deliquent payments (wouldnt you want to lower them then so people can pay more to you?)

I would not recommend doing business with Advanta EVER. They have no respect for their customers and I think actually enjoy listening to people hurting from this crisis (Travis was certainly amused). Advanta is the worst company to do business for your small business. Based on the complaints I have seen on this website, I wish I would have read this site before we applied for it...

We only pay $25 APR per statement for a $10,000 balance. We are paying triple that every month for a $3,000 balance. AND we have to pay off the 10,000 first before we can pay off the $3,000.....$100 a month until the loan is paid off...

I have an account with Advanta. The account has a credit limit of $29,000. My balance was $2,468.38. The account is current and has always been current. I have a FICO score of approx. 725-750. I received checks in mail offering 6.9% on checks for the life of balance. The offer also stated that there would be a transaction fee of $99.00 Maximum. I used the check to pay off a higher interest card.

When I received my first statement after using the check, my interest 22.81% and I was charged a $386.62 cash advance fee. I am outraged. I called and they gave me the same story as I have seen on the site that rates are set by a number of factors, etc. Thats NOT what the offer said or the terms and conditions of the offer said.

I am out the excess fee they charged me for the transaction which was suppose to be $99.00 maximum and also out the interest which was suppose to be 6.9%, not 22.81%

The company increased my interest rate from 10.99% to 25.99% without any notice. Never had a late payment and been with them for about 5 yrs. I have received no explanation for the increase other than - based on a recent credit enquiry they determined that I no longer qualify for the rate I had for the prior 5 yrs. My credit score is almost 800 with absolutely no negatives on the credit report.

This appears to be a sneaky way for them to get more money from customers. When I asked for a more specific reason the rude customer service rep responded with we don't have to tell you why. And this was from a supervisor. Needless to say I was appalled. I have since switched to Amex.

There has been a significant amount of business time wasted on the phone with them as well as with shopping for a better card. Since the balance I had was high the difference in finance charges was about $400 in one month alone. Also the additional enquiry and new credit line I had to establish with Amex I believe may impact my score negatively.

This is the absolute worst company I have ever had the displeasure of doing business with. Within less than one year, my APR has gone from 7.99 to 24.99 to 35.08 to 36.31 (the last increase within one month). I have not once received notice of any of these changes made to my account as they claim. I am furious with this predatory company, and so frustrated because I can't seem to find any help or solution to this problem that continues to get worse!! I have filed a report with the FDIC, still no response yet. Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Economical damage resulting from these outrageous interest rates are obvious. In addition to losing sleep and a number of migraines over this, so much time is being wasted trying to resolve this issue. Time wasted writing letters and speaking to the morons who work at Advanta.

Advanta claims they sent me a notice on 8/13 that they were jacking my interest rate to the default rate of 35% from my current 10.3%. Never received the notice. Upon inquiry, they said I was a long term credit risk due to economy and no longer met their lending criteria despite an excellent credit score and credit record.

I lost $600 or so before I got them paid off this week.

I am looking for fellow consumers that have been ripped off by Advanta for no reason to join me and an attorney they ripped off in NY in the exact same manner to file a class action lawsuit against them.

My interest rate with Advanta started out at 7.99% and was supposed to remain at that amount. However in March 2008 the rate changes and has changed every month since. In March it went up to 18.99%. In April it was 18.31%. In May it went down to 16.99%. In July it went up to 35.49%. In August it was 35.39%. In September it was 35.08%. Then most recently it increased to 36.31%. They said they notified me about the most current interest rate back in July 2008.

When I asked them about why they moved my rate up so much they simply said that they look at a number of factors and they could not tell me exactly why it was moved up. I have never had a credit card company work this way. All of my personal credit cards are still at the low APR they have always been and yet Advanta says they look at my personal credit as one of the factors in determining a rate increase. My personal credit is in great shape. I have not cancelled the account because I did not want it to look bad on the business.

I decided to move the money over to another card and still keep small amounts on the card and pay it off every month. In the month of September, I did not pay off the whole balance and left around 350 dollars on the card to be carried over. I soon found out that that was a big mistake because they charged me more interest for carrying a balance apparently and they calculated my Average Daily Balance at a higher total than my highest daily amount. I owed $1007.87 as of the closing date of September 2, 2008. I paid $700 dollars in September. I put on a total of 447.26 in September.

At no day was my balance over 1256.25 and it was only at that for 10 days of my 31 day cycle. The rest of the time it was lower than that and according the standard way of figuring out an ADB, my ADB should have been 904.65. Advanta put my ADB at 1696.92. They said this was because I carried over a balance and that they were charging me back interest.

I strongly advise everyone on here and others to reexamine their statements to make sure Advanta did not only increase the interest rate but also miscalculate the Average Daily Balance. This company is a very frustrating company to work with as a small business. Advanta has cost the business and myself personally a lot of extra money that we don't have considering we are in the beginning stages of the business.

Advanta raised the interest rate on Cash Advances to 35.39% without prior knowledge and with an excellent credit rating and no late payments. Additionally, balances on purchases must be paid off before they will apply payments to the highest rate on the cash advances.

Paying triple the interest on $3,200.

I noticed on my most recent statement that my interest rate had jumped from 18% to 35%. I immediately contacted customer service who told me that the increase was correct and is based on my previous payment history and credit report.

I have never paid late and always pay more than the minimum due. I also never received a notice of the rate increase.

As a small business just starting out I will now have to work harder to undo the negative impact this has place on my credit report.

I had a 7.99% interest rate and this band of robbers went up to 16.99% after about a year. Then just this last statement, I happened to look and they jumped up to 35.08% for any future purchases. I called and was told due to the economy and my credit report, I was considered a risk now. I have had my business for 28 years and have a 1R2 credit rating with D&B and my credit score is 762.

I will not be using this card for any purchases and the best part is I used one of their convenience checks and am locked in on my balance at 6.90% until my balance is paid off in full. They will continue to get the minimum payment from me until the balance is paid. It looks to me like this will be the next bank failure, look at their stock (It has been tanking for the last year)! They are doing desperate measures to their customers!