Direct Merchants Bank •Application Fees •Change of Address Policy •Collection Policies •Customer Service •"Credit Protection" •Interest Rates •Late Fees • Late Posting of Payments •Over-Limit Fees •Preying on the Disabled • "Rate Reward" •Secured Credit Cards •Security Policies •Disappearing Funds •Telemarketers •An Insider's View

Michelle of Council Bluffs IA writes (1/24/03):
I don't understand why O keep getting an overlimit charge. I do not use this card and I know the last time I sent you a payment it was not late. Can you please explain to me why I am paying my payment and yet I have overlimit charges.

On July 26, 2000, Timothy of Baltimore wrote:
I have tried to keep track of the balance on my account yet all the time my card is over my limit. I would hope that a purchase I make that puts me over my limit would be denied (which would not bother me), yet every month I find that they have allowed me to charge and be approved for charges to my credit card that push me well over my limit.

I am currently cutting up my card and plan on cancelling. I always assumed that once you reached your limit they would not authorize any more charges. NOT TRUE!!! By authorizing charges past your credit limit this allows them to get that over the limit fee and any extra charges. Be very aware of this credit card because it has the potential to be very dangerous.

Had they denied any charges over my limit I would have paid cash and not thought twice about it. Now I'm juggling bills again because of the money hungry credit card companies.

On August 11, 2000, John of Tulsa wrote:
Direct Merchants Bank mailed me an application for a 'pre-approved' Master Card. After the card arrived, I used it to pay a health club monthly membership of $19. Direct Merchants Bank consistantly would not process my monthly payment to them until they paid my health club monthly payment, which created an 'overdraft' on my account. Then they would charge $29 for an 'overlimit fee' plus $12 for a 'cash advance fee' that seems to be to cover the $29 transaction.

They have delayed my money order payment each month which has created this problem that they will 'solve' by charging my account an extra $29 + $12 each month. These people are abusive and don't act like normal bankers. They are the bank 'from hell' as far as I'm concerned.

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