Complain about a product or service

Providian

Providian • Advance Fees • Credit Repair • Destinations Unlimited • Disputed Charges • Interest Rates • Late Posting • Late Refunds • Late Statements • Promotional Rates • Credit Protection • Unauthorized Balance Transfers --- News • WaMu Buys Providian • $300 Million Providian Settlement • Providian Chairman Out, Stock Tanks • Providian Settles Class-Action Suits

Providian made its money the good old-fashioned way -- on the backs of the working poor. It built its business on what is called the "subpar" segment of the market, customers whose credit records have a few blemishes.

Only problem is, the losses outran the sky-high fees and soaring interest rates and the house of cards came tumbling down in October 2001 and by mid-2005, Providian had been acquired by the nation's largest savings and loan, Washington Mutual.

But from what customers tell us, things haven't changed much at Providian, as the complaints in this section demonstrate. Here are a few of the more recent beefs ...

Bertha of Frisco, TX November 12, 2009

someone used my credit card last four didgit 2705 and purchased 900.00 on it and it wasn't me. I paid for this at 29-32% interest because Providian said I made these purchases but I never made thise purchases. They said they called a phone number 505-898-9161 and spoke to me but that was never my number . Shouldn't they have investigated this better.

Kevin of Dayton, OH November 10, 2009

Back in 1999, There was a card issued in my name in which I had'nt applied for, In 2000 I moved out of state and discovered that the card was being reported on my credit, at that time I contacted Providian and informed them that I never applied for a card. Thay then told me I needed to send in my I.D. and sign a signature card as well as produce another signed form of truth. After which it was determined not to be my signature and the account was suspended and deleted from my credit file.At that time a fraud alert was added to my credit file which still to this days reads the same as the day it was added.

Now all of a sudden the credit bureaus are reporting the same Providian bank Acct. as a judgement for 831 plus interest.So I contacted the Lawyer that filed the complaint and I was told that they no longer had the file and that all Providian Bank Assets were owned by Chase Bank now, I contacted Chase and they verified that I never had an account,debt or anything pending.I asked to send me something in writing for my records and informed me to file the documents with the court that held the judgement and that they would update the Bureau's to have it deleted out of my file.The courts informed me it could take up to 90 days to see the release on my report.

As of today I contacted the courts to inform them it has been over 6months and its still on my credit, the told me that along with the document I submitted the filing attorney needed to send a release also,I contacted the filing attorneys office again the same office that told me in May that I needed to contact Chase Bank and that they didnt have the file mysteriously now has the file and wants over 2k for the release letter.

Anthony of Britton, SD November 5, 2009

Back in Dec. 2004, I made a settlement arrangment with Providian Credit Card. The total anount owed was about 2800. They said they would settle for 2500. When my bank was ready to send payment to them, they confirmed with them the amount and mailed check the same day. After 3 years with no other response from Providian, a colleection company contacted me, I then turn this matter over to my attorney, who sent a letter to them to get this matter settled, since it was payed for in a settlement agreement. I did not hear anything else until just afew weeks ago from another collection company on this same bill. They have been really helpful and understanding and told me to conatct the credit card company and agreed that all I need from them is a settlement letter from Providian, but unable to locate the web site for them or an email address for them. Could Anyone please give me some assistance with this matter, so I can get this cleared up.

Stephanie of Seal Beach, CA November 4, 2009

On 10/29/09 I was handed a certified letter from the IRS regarding unreported income. I have 2 prestigeous CPA firm in 2 states who have covered my estimated taxes and returns. The tax form stated I had a debt forgiven by Portfolio Recovery. One CPA and I called from his office and was told it was a Providian Visa card debt. Port. Rec. say I paid half but owed penalties. I have searched all day for a way to get assistance and a legal dept. number without success. I am disabled and need some assistance to contact Providian, since they do not post any contact phone numbers that I have seen. I closed Providian account many years ago due to misrepresentation of yearly fees. Can you help please?

Liliya of Atco, NJ October 30, 2009

In the end of 1997 they offered to help me build my credit if I open a debit card with them and make payments and pay interested on the money I put in, and they told me that it will be like having a credit card and it will build my credit. I put in 300.00, they told me to spend it and start paying on it. I did. At the end of 1998 I paid the card off because I had to go on a trip overseas. I came back a year later and found out they sold my case to a collection agency, saying that I owe them the money. I want Providian to pay to the collection agency the money they say I owe, because it's a fraud.

William of Cincinnati, OH October 12, 2009

Hi I was a customer of Providian and I have problems with the company around the time of the lawsuit I just didn't know that they were being sued and I just found this out, so now what?

valli of roseville, CA September 24, 2009

I received a call from Debra from Providian Bank indicating she is calling about a credit card and this call is an attempt to collect a debt. I advised her that she reached a line that is work related only and for customers to call for emergency (Such as services being down) and she can not call me on this number. I then provided her my personal number and advised her I can call her there after I get off work. She indicated she will be at work until 530pm. After I got home, it was a little over 5pm so I called Deb and was advised she was already OFF. The next morning she called me again on the same 800 number that I had asked her NOT to use. She then stated she will remove the number but she wanted to know why I did not call her last night. I advised her I did but I was told she was off and she needs to remove the 800 she used to call me from her contact list because that is considered harassment.

Clementina of Brooklyn, NY September 23, 2009

About 13yrs ago I had a credit card with Providian Bank. I closed the account with a savings that equal out my balance due on the account. They kept it all. Now, I am getting phones calls from collection agency asking for 2700.00 that I owe. They told me it was interest that caused the money to be this much but I can pay 600.00 to clear the account. I am not working at this time nor do I owe Providian any money. How can I prove this after all these years.

connie of mogadore, OH August 21, 2009

my credit card decided to pull my credit and charge me 33% interest and when i called i get told that they are doing it to many people it does not matter what your credit rating is.I also make large payments to them and no matter when i mail them they are always cashed a day or so later just so they are intentionally late,which has now caused proplems with a couple of my other cards,this is totally unfair I worked very hard to get my credit rating up,just to have some big bully pull this crap on innocent people who do not have the money to just hand right to them if i did i would ve never had to borrow in the first place!unreal,what in the world is gonna happen to everyone!

connie of mogadore, OH August 21, 2009

my credit card decided to pull my credit and charge me 33% interest and when i called i get told that they are doing it to many people it does not matter what your credit rating is.I also make large payments to them and no matter when i mail them they are always cashed a day or so later just so they are intentionally late,which has now caused proplems with a couple of my other cards,this is totally unfair I worked very hard to get my credit rating up.

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