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Providian - Unauthorized Transfers

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

Jennifer of Worcester, MA, writes:
I received a phone call from one of Providian's telemarketers offering to transfer my balance from one credit card to theirs (at a higher interest rate). I told the telemarketer that I was NOT interested in transferring my balance. He then told me what my account number was and balance, which I knew was not right. I repeated myself to this telemarketer three times, telling him I was not interested.

Approximately a month later, I received a statement from Providian for the balance they transferred from my current credit card. This was done without my authorization!!! I never gave out the information needed to do the transfer. I called my current credit card holder who assured me they do not give this information out. I do trust them since they are a reliable company. I have fought with Providian over this since I do not feel responsible for the balance. They tell me it is a debt that I incurred. Isn't this a debt they incurred since they paid off the balance without my authorization??? Do I have any rights in this situation?

This matter has not been closed yet. Providian has agreed to not charge interest for the life of the balance. This is still not acceptable to me. I have always had great credit ratings until this matter came up. I went for a new car loan and had to explain this overdue balance on my credit report. Because of Providian's name in the business the bank overlooked this mark on my report. I want this to be removed permanently from my record.

Jennifer needs to transfer the Providian balance to another card, then send a certified, return receipt requested, letter to Providian, telling them she did not authorize the previous transfer and instructing them to close her account and remove any negative reports filed with the credit agencies.

Dale of Jacksonville, AR, writes:
I have had an open account (Consolidated loan) with Providian for over 9 years in excellent standing. No late payments EVER! Last year, they decided to change my accont into a Visa account and send me a charge card. Ever since that happend, every single month that I make a payment they hold my payment and post it the day after it is due. This costs me $29.00 ever month in a late charge. They are currently being sued for this practice by numerous people and states (California & Connecticut).

I have certified mailed my payment two weeks before it is due and still had it held until after the due date. I live only 100 miles from the payment center. It does not take 2 weeks for mail to get there!! After placing another phone call to their so-called customer support to complain again about the late fee, I was appalled by this ladies comments regarding my other credit card acconts which she was looking at on the computer. She wanted to know if I wanted to balance transfer my other acconts over to their card. I could not believe that she was scrolling through my personal information with OTHER credit companies while I was complaining about their theft practice.

Needless to say, after telling her very sternly that I would never transfer a dime to their card she obviously transferred $4,000 from my Choice Visa over to Providian's card 3 days later without my consent. By the way, I did not have but $200 available on my Providian account in the first place. The way I discovered that she had done this, is Providian starting harassing me via telephone telling me I was $3800.00 over my limit and they wanted all of it plus $140.00 in over-limit charges! This battle continued for 2 weeks while I accrued charge after charge.

Every single time I placed a phone call to their 800 number I spoke with a new person who claimed they didn't know anyone by the previos name and stated that I owed a different amount every single time I phoned.

I eventually sent them $1,500.00 via Federal Express overnight and they held that check for 5 days to ensure that I accrued another late fee and another $140.00 overlimit fee. I have discovered since my problems have started that half the country has had the same difficulties in one degree or the other with this company. I just find it amazing that since they took it upon themselves to change my Consolidation Loan to a Credit Card accunt that all of these fees ocurred and late payment problems. Strange how I never got a late payment fee in the last 9 years with my loan?

It is a terrible thing that in this day & time that large companies can get away with ruining someone's outstanding credit history over a few dollars they feel they need to steal. They have already ruined my 12 year excellent credit history by reporting this to TRW & Experian.

Edward of Billerica, MA:
On April 13, 1999, I made an electronic transfer of $8602.00 from Providian to another bank. On April 15, 1999, Providian took it upon itself to transfer another $8602.00 to the same bank, without my authorization.

After 6 or 7 months of dealing with rude, incompetent representatives of PNB, I finally hit pay dirt. A gentleman named Giles telephoned to let me know he would handle my account. I told him of the agreement that had been made between Michelle and me. He then faxed me a copy of this agreement. However, Michelle decided to take journalistic liberties with the agreement. I explained what our agreement was, and Giles assured me that it would be taken care of.

Since then, I have received over 72 harassing telephone calls, stating that I am over my limit (which is not true, due to our agreement). I have tried to explain to each person that has called the unique situation of this account. They all try to help, but I end up being on the telephone for hours a night with a different person and have finally come to my wits end.

Yesterday, 1/3/00, I received a letter stating that PNB was going to send account to collection. I am furious! This was my wife's account, which I had to take over since Providian Representatives drove her to tears almost daily. They are now looking for $6000.00 or they plan to tarnish my perfect credit report. We have done everything in our power to see this matter resolved, but Providian keeps changing the rules, reneging on our agreements and just being the worst representation of what a financial institute should be.

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