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 ...

Judy of Fwb, FL March 5, 2009

Judy of Fwb FL (03/05/09)
I have paid every month and my interest rate has stayed high with multiple over charges even with interest running overages and late fees.

The bill never gets lower

Danny of Cleveland, OH March 1, 2009

Danny of Cleveland OH (03/01/09)
My husband and I had responded to the original class-action suit but never got a response. Just this past Saturday February 28, 2009 he received a notice from Providian(Portfolio Recovery Associates) with a special offer to pay only 1032.61 on a balance of 2581.52. We are just wondering about the legitimacy of this request and what our options are given the lawsuit and complaints that have been revealed. We understand this is a debt to be paid. What are our options?

Our main issue is that the balance got to be high because of interest being charged, we would like to pay and not get caught in the continued trap of high interests rates. We understand the amount has been reduced, we just don't want to have another large balance as we try to pay off the debt.

Terry of Brooklyn, NY February 26, 2009

Terry of Brooklyn NY (02/26/09)
I have been with providian washington mutual for some years an as you know washington mutual is bought out by chase. However I consolidated my bills an they are literally trying to rip people off under the books. I consolidated my bills an they agreed according to the contract to accept a payment from my debt management company which would be less than what it was before me signing on to debt management. they also stated there would be no late fees or penalities.

however after signing on with them making my payments on time then are stating to me that even if they receieve my payment on time but they post it after the due date it is still considered late this is wrong. why hold the payment for after the due date to apply the payment. to me it seems like they are out to make money for themselves an mess up peoples lively hood an credit. How is it that the money is being sent electronically an yet being posted days an weeks later why do they have the right to do this.

i have contacted the creditor an they refuse to correct the issue. if they aggreed to accept a certain amount why then am I being charge the difference of what the minium payment was prior to being on a consolidation contract. They cannot do this to hard working people or people in general. They have no right to breach the contract no to charge late fees or the difference of what the monthly payment use to be or before debt management or to post the payment late when they receive it electronically on time. I have not breach my end of the contract by not making payments

Please someone help me because i am paying a debt management company who couldnt even help me resolve this issue only to tell me its between me an the creditor an then the creditor to tell me its between me an the debt management. so i am getting beaten left an right while they get away with ripping me off an damaging my credit report or future.

I would like for providian and chase to correct this issue by reaging my account which means they need to remove the negative an incorrect reporting of late payment to the credit beauru to clean my credit report. This is totally unfair. I beg you to please have them correct an clean this up .

Lisa of Silverdale, WA February 26, 2009

Lisa of Silverdale WA (02/26/09)
I had a high credit limit of about 9600 on a card I had with them for over 12 years. In which time I never missed a payment. I was also never late on a payment. They notified me that in 10 days they were closing my account. That's it no warning or anything.

I'm sure this will affect my credit rating negatively. It was also not a veru good way to treat a long-time customer. I even tried to contact them and my letter went unanswered. I also do not have the credit for my use.

Steve of Milwaukee, WI February 20, 2009

Steve of Milwaukee WI (02/20/09)
several credit cards increasing APR and eliminating/withdrawing [unused] credit available

I/my family live in my wife's grandparents home - they've relocated - pay upkeep/utilities and property taxes but don't own the home. wife and i are sick/irate at cc companies reaction to on-time payments/remittance over and above minimum. considering a stop-pay initiative. our credit is in the tank anyway. the home we live in will be will'd to wife upon grandmother's death. we can't file ch. 7/13. had to do ch. 7 in '06 and beside, i don't want to.

i realize its my debt and would pay it back. but this int. rate increase, etc. for economic reasons and/or other factors and not for default is simply criminal - in my opinion. would rather save the and deal w/ consequences later.  just not sure what or how bad said consequences could be. thanks

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