CHASE VISA just raised my interest rate to 29% - for having a high balance

[Yollam]

No late payments.

No missed payments.

Never over the limit.

Just a high balance on several cards on a recent credit check, so they jacked me from 13% to 29%.

Please be aware that all the card companies can do this. It's in the fine print.

Now I have to get in a Debt Management Program.

Don't let them screw you if you can help it.

[SushiFan]

1. Life is GREAT in GWB's scuzzy America, ain't it? --nt

[redwitch]

2. I HATE THESE BASTARDS!

The same thing just happened on one of ours. We are going to work doubly hard to get rid of all our cards but one- for travel/business. I am sick of being taken advantage of. Aren't there laws against usury?

[DemoTex]

22. Laws against usury?

In the world of Bu$h? IT.WILL.ONLY.GET.WORSE. Mark my word. In ten years you will not recognize the world as we know it today. Debtors will be slaves, wars will be rampant, and the Bu$h family will rule the world. We are well on our way to that nightmare scenario. Know what I mean, Vern?

[MetaTrope]

99. "Credit fraud? My God, that's worse than murder." - Max Headroom, 1985

That series was spot on. Except for the bit about journalists being crusaders for the common man.

[trogdor]

152. Consumer Reports is putting the word out.

Get out of credit card hell - FAST. However you can do it. Eat ramen noodles. Drive your shitbox another year or two. Just pay off the motherfucking credit cards. NOW.

[FlaGranny]

44. There sure are usury laws.

Each state has its own usury laws with legal interest rates between 6 and 12 percent (or about that), but it does not apply to NATIONAL banks. Ain't that sweet?

[smoogatz]

115. Actually, not ALL states have usury laws.

At least two--S. Dakota and Delaware, do not. That's why Chase and all the rest relocated their credit card businesses to those states. States can only regulate banks within their own borders, obviously--Ohio can't regulate a bank in S.D. Frontline did a great piece on the credit card industry a couple of weeks ago. They are THE most ruthless bastards on the planet--all they care about is ringing every single possible dime out of every single sucker they can get their hooks into.

[smoogatz]

116. Not all states have usury laws.

At least two--S. Dakota and Delaware, do not. That's why Chase and all the rest relocated their credit card businesses to those states. States can only regulate banks within their own borders, obviously--Ohio can't regulate a bank in S.D. Frontline did a great piece on the credit card industry a couple of weeks ago. They are THE most ruthless bastards on the planet--all they care about is ringing every single possible dime out of every single sucker they can get their hooks into.

[question everything]

67. Was a great PBS program about credit cards

How Janklow (sp?) when governor of South Dakota passed a bill to eliminate the usury laws. That's how Citibank, for example, operates from South Dakota. The interest rates rule are determined by where the credit card issuer is located.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

118. Secret History of the Credit Card

Frontline: Secret History of the Credit Card

I saw it. You can watch it online too.

[mcscajun]

106. Nothing federal -- it's a state by state thing.

Which is why the credit card firms quietly moved to non-usury states years ago.

As you say, it's all in the fine print, where you see which state's law governs your credit card agreement.

[BR_Parkway]

128. Yeah, but they're in the Bible, the last place the Moral Party of

Values ever actually looks for guidance - only for scripture that they can use for fundraising or turning out the vote.

[acmejack]

3. Thieves!

How did they notify you? By regular mail mail?

[Yollam]

5. They claim to have sent a letter, but I don't recall getting it.

Even if I had seen it, there would have been nothing that I could do.

[Maraya1969]

82. Can't you transfer the money over to a lower rate card?

[smoogatz]

119. Right. They send you blizzards of junk mail--all those checks and reward

offers and crap, and the letter announcing your demise looks just like them. You do have the option, though, under the law, of staying at your old rate if you stop using the card. That's what you should do. Call them up. Then, as soon as you can, transfer the balance to a 0% card--if this is still an option with your current credit score.

[Indykatie]

9. Heve Heard of Cases

with exhorbitant increases in the interest rate but all tied to a missed payment. The original interest cited was quite high to begin with. Hard to believe it's legal to move it to 29% for a customer with good payment history.

[FloridaPat]

29. I had a friend the same thing happened to for the same reason.

That was 2 years ago.

[Imalittleteapot]

4. Call them up and demand

that they lower the rate with a threat that you will transfer the balance to another card. Worked for me sometime ago.

[Yollam]

6. Too many cards already near the limit.

I wouldn't get approved. I got them to lower it to 27% for me, but that's not gonna do it...

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

11. If You Are Racking Up Your Credit Like That, Than That Is Why.

You are now in a higher risk category, because of the perception that you are being irresponsible with your credit. I don't know if you are or not, but your statement above would definitely seem to coincide with the credit company's thinking.

[Yollam]

15. Since I've never missed a payment or gone overlimit...

...I wouldn't say irresponsible, but I am more overextended than I'd like to be.

But this sort of policy does nothing but push people into bankruptcy and/or DMP's

Maybe that's what they want?

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

17. By Payment Do You Mean Minimum Payment?

[Yollam]

21. Of course.

The rate was lower on that card.

I paid as much as I could no the highest-rate card.

Now that card is the chase card.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

25. I'm Not Putting You Down, I'm Just Offering An Explanation On Why They

see you now as higher risk. It is not outside the realm of plausable that someone with multiple cards, high balances, and only able to afford minimum payments is now high risk.

[Yollam]

36. But what seems funny is this-

THEY set the available balance. THEY are the ones that approve or disapprove people for credit.

If they don't want me to use it up to XXX amount, then don't approve me for XXX amount!

Do you not see what a devious trap they set?

Of course they are totally within the law. That makes it all the more of a burn.

Hence the warning to everybody out there.

[MercutioATC]

39. They're not in the business of protecting people from themselves.

Believe me, I understand. I had a financially tough time 8 or 9 years ago.

However, they're a business. Their business is lending money. It's not really surprising that they give you a limit that allows them to make money in the form of interest on the money you borrow...they DO cut you off at some point. And, by law, they disclose what will happen if you do certain things (fail to pay on time, exceed your limit, near your credit limit, etc.)

As consumers, it's out responsibility to understand the contracts we sign.

[KharmaTrain]

52. Thanks For The Clarification

With the new laws...there's no reason a credit card company couldn't charge someone 40%...once you sign the contract you're at their mercy.

As you note, I suspect a computer caught the balances and automatically changed the rates...there wasn't even a human hand in this process. And making just the minimum doesn't mean meeting the obligation...all it means is this is how much the credit card company will take to leave you alone for another 30 days.

People were warned before this bill was passed what would result...and this was at the top of the list. Also if one creditor moves up your rate, good chance other rates will go up as well...so even if he were able to get a card with another lender, good chance the credit history would catch up as well and the 29 or 27% rate would be applied to that balance. Sadly, you can't win.

I've been in credit card hell. I maxed out to move my family back to Illinois and it took me nearly 10 years to work off the nut. The frustration of falling deeper into a game that seems stacked against you is one that can't be described. Yes, when you get the card and things are humming along, you don't think about the responsibility side of things...and then when it faces you, you're already in a hole that starts getting deeper very quickly.

Maybe...just maybe...thanks to the Abramoff and other scandals that could sweep a lot of deadwood out of Washington that one day a more compassionate and not bought off Congress will cap lending rates and regulate the predatory practices of the banks and lenders.

[MercutioATC]

53. Since when is business supposed to be "compassionate"?

..and I'm not sure I disagree with that.


The consumer, by accepting money that he wants for something that he can't otherwise afford, is given terms by the lender. He's free to accept or reject these terms.

That doesn't make the companies willing to lend money evil by specifying terms.

[KharmaTrain]

57. Predatory Lending...Not All Lenders Are Evil

Currently my 18 year old son is getting a bunch of credit card applications. He knows how the cards work (or I hope he's learned enough between what he's seen at home and whatever he's gotten in school) but I know he really doesn't understand the real consequences that lie within those cards. That's the same with many who get hooked on cards. Some get hooked in by low introductory rates or other gimmicks and the deal sounds too good to be true. Plus I'll bet most people think they will act responsibly when they get the card, but something, as noted in the OP above glitches and before a person knows it, they're in a virtual financial servitude with little assistance or redress out there.

Isn't not like getting a car or house loan where the rates have been clearly regulated and a locked-in rate means a locked-in rate. These systems were established in a different time and era that helped both the consumer and lender by allowing the consumer to budget out the payments while the lender got their money up front. This is all front loaded in favor of the house.

There are many companies that lend money that are far from evil. I took a small business loan that made a very big difference at a critical time and gladly paid that off. It's when you look at companies like Experion and Trans-Union that not only base a majority of their profits off of excess interest payments and late fees and offer big dividends to investors who cover their losses.

The bankruptcy bill was a disaster to the middle and lower classes and is now starting to be really felt. Yes, there must be penalties for those who abuse credit, but this is going after a lot of hard working people who have little resource or means to fight back.

Peace...

On Edit: I just got Chase out of my life. At one time they were First Chicago and a great local bank, then mergers and greed stepped in. That place is service charge city. I'm surprised they don't charge for parking places while waiting for the ATM.

[Auntie Bush]

134. Don't worry...they will. Then they will charge you to use their toilet too.

[Yollam]

69. So you've read and understood every word of every contract you've signed?

If so, I'm impressed.

And I don't really expect businesses to behave ethically out of the goodness of their hearts. Government is supposed to force them to do so with regulation. At least democrats used to believe in that.

Interest rates without ceilings is not ethical, no matter how you spin it.

And by telling people that your limit is XXX dollars, that there will be a fee if you go over said limit, they are pretty much leading people to the impression that as long as they make their payments and stay under the limit, they are okay. They say that if there is a change in your credit rating, the terms may change, but they never specify what those parameters are.

But you are entitled to agree with the lenders that they should be able to charge as much as they want for any reason they like. I disagree.

Also, their rationale for doing this in this case is "higher risk", but if every lender were to do this to a borrower at once, the risk of his defaulting or declaring bankruptcy instantly increases exponentially.

I don't necessarily have a problem with raising rates on the basis of a perceived risk, but suddenly and arbitrarily doubling or tripling the rate when the borrower is only guilty of borrowing, seems like usury and highly unethical to me.

Anyway, I didn't post this as a sympathy plea. I will handle this in one way or another. I posted it to warn other people. Do you have a problem with that?

[zanne]

120. You put that very well, Yollam.

I wouldn't have been able to be so polite.

[MissWaverly]

129. Yollam, they should get their pound of flesh but just that

really, the way the economy is depressed who gets a 30% return on anything right now,
except these leeches, the government should make this illegal. Like I am paying on
my house, I live in a "transition neighborhood." I paid over 13 years and I am only
down on my initial payment by $5,000. Okay so they have to make a buck, but I have already
paid the bank the entire value of the house in payments, do they have to make a jillion
percent profit. I did refinance and I am now on a 15 year payment plan. But a jillion
dollars to pay off a hokey pokey house on the wild frontier of a major metropolitan city
does seem a little unfair.

[MercutioATC]

151. Why would I sign them if I didn't read them first?

Yes, I HAVE read every contract I've signed. Nothing special, I just won't sign anything unless I read it first.

I tried to make it clear that nothing I've said was meant as an attack. Personally, I was impressed at your candor and I think some people should probably read more of these posts. If people use this as a cautionary tale...or at least an encouragement to read what they sign, you've done a great service.

[zanne]

111. The "responsibility" side of things?

Do you think it's at all possible that people might have to use their credit cards alot because they can't afford things like...oh, I don't know...FOOD or prescription drugs? If you've been in the situation yourself, I'd think you could come up with a bit more compassion and a lot less judgment.

[high density]

50. Well I had a $10k credit card in college while making about $4k a year

I knew that I couldn't sustain $10k of credit card debt, so I didn't use it. The bank is not your friend. They just want to make money off of you and chances are that any 'favors' they do for you are required by law.

I am among the group of folks who uses a credit card as if it were a checking account. If I don't have the cash on hand to pay off the purchase within 20 days of the statement date, I ain't buying it. I don't like paying interest, especially at the outrageous rates that the credit card companies charge.

I know many people are in a very tight situation where they have no other choice other than to use credit cards to buy necessities, and I don't really know what to say about that. It's very depressing all around. Everybody on the bottom keeps getting squeezed badly by the banks while the rich walk in and get fees waived that they can easily pay.

[proud_Kucitizen]

112. I do that too but

recently I found out that they are actually still charging me interest on cards I pay off every month. Not much but then the balances aren't that high either or I couldn't pay them off every month. One charged 9.95 on a balance of about 1200 and one 5.00 on a balance of about 700. Is this legal does anyone know?

[zanne]

110. Do you work for Visa?

It certainly sounds that way.

[hfojvt]

77. you mean you already called and that is all they did for you?

Sorry, but you should have tried another tack. A) ask for a manager, they can do more for you, or B) threaten to cancel your card. They may call your bluff, but having one less card should improve your credit score.
Sadly, the fact that they already lowered it may take away some of your options. Seriously, I would call again anyway, you might get a more helpful customer service person. I removed a number of people from default pricing, when I thought doing so would be good for the company, but I am not sure that every customer service person had my business sense (or compassion).
I am surprised that you are not getting offers in the mail. I still get them almost daily and I have seven cards only one of which carries a balance at a 3.9/4.99% rate. The others I always pay in full. The funny thing is that they keep soliciting me, whereas it seems that they would make more money with you as a customer since you pay finance charges.

[tsuki]

132. Is it true that if you pay off your cards monthly that it lowers your

credit rating? I read that somewhere, I forget. But I have been wondering lately.

[hfojvt]

137. I have no idea

I get tons of offers, but that may be because I have paid off my house, rather than anything I do with my credit cards. I have also had some balance transfers that I paid off (often with other balance transfers) so that probably looks good. I also have carried balances at the low introductory rates (0% for 8 months, at the end of the 8 months I pay it in full, etc.).
I think the credit report tells you what you have that is either good or bad.

[kineneb]

7. mine went up, too

to 24.95%, but...we will be filing for bankruptcy soon, so screw them. If WorldCom could do it to us...

[Steve A Play]

18. Filing for bankruptcy will not help you at this point

you should have done that months ago before the new laws took effect. Now you will still owe every dime you do now to those card companies when you emerge from bankruptcy protection. You're not WorldComm.

Steven P.

[Yollam]

30. Actually, I could still do it.

My income is low enough that I would still qualify.

But I'm not to into the idea of wrecked credit for 10 years. The DMP seems like a better way to go about it...

[kineneb]

43. actually, it will

Hubby is disabled and on dialysis. We have no assets already since we qualify for medicaid. We were waiting for the disability ruling so we could shelter the house, since we owe so little on it. I don't care about our credit rating, since we could not afford to pay for anything on $13K/yr. anyway. It is back to the land for us. Oh, and our whole economic mess started when Hubby was laid off from WorldCom in 2002.

[question everything]

70. I am sorry to hear that

I hope that you will be able to straighten your affairs. One way or the other.

And WSJ people are getting millions in bonuses..

[CottonBear]

8. Call Consumer Credit Counseling. (CCC)

Be sure to ask how it will affect your credit rating first before signing up. Mr CB used CCC and he is now debt free! They were great. I would never use them if there were no other options because my name is on our mortage and car titles, etc. and we need my good rating.

Alternately, go to your LOCAL small town bank or local credit union. and apply for a lower interest personal loan. This will not ruin your credit rating. Get a good rate and pay off the card and pay the loan off at the better rate.

Good luck.

Check out Clark Howard's website (he's the consumer reporter for WSB 750 AM in Atlanta and is broadcasted nationwide) for financial hints. Paying 1/2 of your payment twice a month will reduce the balance more quicklythan paying the minimum payment once a month. See Clark's website for more details.

Peace. CB

[mountainvue]

41. CCCS will effect a credit rating

the same as a chapter 13.
I'm getting screwed on my credit cards as well. I'm trying to py them off as fast as I can.

[Deja Q]

58. Yeah, but as you stay on it and pay it all back, the rating goes back up.

It takes time, but it sure beats bankruptcy.

[Sydnie]

10. I know someone else that this happened to and they

called and threatenbed to close the account (transfer the balance to a lower interest card) and two companies lowered the rate. One, however, told them to go ahead and close it, they didn't care. Have you called them to see if you can bargain with them?

[SoCalDem]

46. Transferring balances is almost over too..

They are merging like love-sick teens, and the fine print tells you that you cannot transfer withing companies.. BofA bought Fleet and now MBNA, and several others have merged..

Pretty soon there wil be only a few cards and transfers will be impossible..

We cut all ours up except for Discover, and rarely use it...

[mousie]

130. how is Discover?! Recommended?

I'd like to transfer from Chase, I think... the more I hear about them, the worse I think.... it obviously goes beyond just MY bad experience with them!!!

[Spock_is_Skeptical]

12. sorry to hear about that - wish more people were aware they can do this

and in the cardholder agreement, it'll always be there in some variation - they reserve the right to change any all or part of the agreement (and supposedly they notify you in 15 days of any change.)

The average consumer is never really safe, because most banks/financial institutions really reserve the right to do whatever the hell they want to the average Joe Shmo.

Sorry to hear you have been screwed for having 'too risky' of a score according to whatever matrix system/etc your credit card company uses to justify jacking up rates.

[Indykatie]

19. Companies in the Financial Sector

continue to report record profits because of tactics like this.

[MercutioATC]

13. It was in the CONTRACT that you SIGNED.

Yes, I know that my view that people should read contracts is unpopular here, but it's a fact. They can't do anything to you that you don't agree to.

This isn't meant as a personal attack in any way. It's simply not the fault of Chase, though. They're just exercising the rights they have under the contract.

[Yollam]

23. Thanks.

THey have the right to raise it to 50%, I believe.

But who needs regulation? That would be unAmerican.

[stevedeshazer]

27. Yes, see my post downthread for my confession.

[FlaGranny]

47. Yeah, the banks are always right.

They never employ deceptive tactics. They never move up your payment dates without notifying you in 3-inch high letters at least a month in advance. I know, I know - the consumer signed a contract - written in print so small you can't see it without a magnifying glass. They do treat you better than the Mafia - they don't break your knees. Very nice folks, just sitting around trying to figure out how to suck blood. None of it is the banks' fault. It's always all the consumers' fault. Alito completely agrees.

[fishwax]

61. that it's contractually permissible doesn't mean it isn't shitty

I've known people with very solid credit scores who had this happen to them. They were paying 18.9% one month, and a few months later the rates had jumped to 29%, because the company had determined that their balances on other cards were high enough that they could raise it. These people never missed payments on the cards that were raised (or any other card). They never went over the credit limit on the cards that were raised (or any other card). Is it allowed under the contract--yeah. But it shouldn't be allowed under law, and I think it's worth bitching about.

[podnoi]

80. Why have any usary laws - Let's go full out!

Merc,
I understand what you are saying, but your argument sounds more like Darwinian Capitalism than sound law. Of course they put such things in their agreements. Because the laws have been compromised.

Society has the right to make common sense restrictions, and changing an interest rate on existing loans should be one of those restrictions unless it is specifically outlined like an adjustable rate mortgage.

[podnoi]

83. Why have usery laws, let's go all out predatory lending!

Merc,
I understand what you are saying, but your argument sounds more like Darwinian Capitalism than sound law. Of course they put such things in their agreements. Because the laws have been compromised.

Society has the right to make common sense restrictions, and changing an interest rate on existing loans should be one of those restrictions unless it is specifically outlined like an adjustable rate mortgage.

[rman]

87. indeed, many pages with fineprint stating as much as

the CC company reserving the right to alter the contract as they see fit.

FRontline
PBS
Secret history of the credit card
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/

[proud_Kucitizen]

113. What about all

the changes to your contract they send out these days. You didn't sign those.

[proud_Kucitizen]

114. But what about all the changes

they make to contracts. The banks send these out all the time and the customer doesn't have the opportunity to agree to these terms No signature.

[Gormy Cuss]

121. We don't sign a contract. We sign an agreement.

That's the start of the misdirection. I think if credit card issuers were forced to label it a contract more people would view it as such. As contracts go, it's the worst kind because terms are not fixed for any period of time and the credit card issuer reserves the right to change them at any time for practically any reason and the consumer's only recourse is to terminate the arrangement.

You're right that Chase, as a private company with resources to lobby politicians into passing laws that favor its business, is not legally responsible for this consumer-hostile regulatory climate.

Yollam has put out a cautionary note here on what it means to enter into a unilateral agreement with sharks. Chase should have reduced his credit limit if it was an issue of high risk. It's not. Calling a customer who makes the required payments on time a high risk is just an excuse to increase the interest rate.

[upi402]

138. sure, but lets boycott them. and when they ALL are doing it...

buh-BYE!

[upi402]

140. oh, and contracts are worth the paper... corporations violate them a lot

Sorry MercutioATC -I just get tired of seeing so much defense of the powerful's "right" to exploit the weak.

[PWRinNY]

14. Thank you Joe Biden

And all you repukes who gleefully allow credit card companies to exercise their predatory lending habits on us!

[SnoopDog]

16. Seems like a Blue Credit Card Company could be formed

to address the evil practices. People might flock to get that card instead of the bullshit card companies.

[Indykatie]

28. Chase Sends Marketing Materials

to my home practically every month for their Visa with a zero % rate on purchases and transfers for 18 months. These offers are subisdized by gouging other customers who have few or no other options to move or pay off their accounts.

[Hello_Kitty]

136. This one supports progressive causes

http://www.workingassets.com/creditcard.cfm

Looks pretty good and a decent interest rate too. I'd assume they treat customers better too. However, your best bet for a credit card is one from a credit union.

[Greyhound]

144. Been done, it's called working assets.

http://www.workingassets.com/

[StClone]

20. They can do what they want

I don't know what advice to give you other than take out a home equity loan or borrow money from a relative or friend and pay them a nice rate (10% is three times what they'd get from a bank).

I was one day late on a payment and they went nuts jacked the rate to 29%. We dropped them like a bad habit and now do not use credit cards at all and may never again unless traveling.

[stevedeshazer]

24. This is nothing new, by the way. However, it's no less reprehensible.

I was a customer service supervisor in credit cards for a well-known bank, and that practice was known as "penalty pricing".

It's in your disclosure. That's a big reason why I quit.

[fishwax]

62. I commend you

for the courage of your convictions.

[stevedeshazer]

63. Oh, the things I learned.

It changed my views on banking forever.

[fishwax]

64. I can only imagine

:puke: I've flirted with jobs like that in the past, and sometimes I look back and think I might be better off, financially at least, if I had, but in the end, how much is your soul worth? I dunno, but the more I see how business is done, the more I think they couldn't possibly pay me enough.

[Hotler]

26. Stop using your credit card....

Do what ever you can to pay cash for stuff like gas, food, etc. Stop using the card if you can. its the everyday little stuff that kills you. I used to race motorcycles years ago and had three cards maxed out and didn't know if I would see air again. One of the best things to happen to me was to pay off the cards. Now I only have one and I use it for parts over the phone, lodging during road trips etc. only. Even I you pay off your balance each month the bastards still make money of you. It's when you pay it off and don't use it for months that they feel screwed. They consider you a deadbeat if you carry no balance for months. Go figure!

[mousie]

117. yes, I've found

that if you DON'T use your credit card, they then charge you an "inactivity fee" as well (this wasn't Chase, but another credit card)!!! I've been screwed like this too by Chase... I once tried to cancel the account; they talked me into staying with a lower rate and dropping the annual fee, etc., and I ended up transferring another balance to them. Soon enough, of course, they got me for a late payment that I tried to pay online (on time), but it wasn't processed in time. They raised my rate of course and charged a late fee. I would LOVE to get rid of these people, but I am in over my head right now too with no way out. Just not enough money to live on!!!

[madokie]

31. 57 and still don't see a need for a credit card

doing fine btw

[Indykatie]

37. Considering Payment on Cards with 20% Plus Interest

that are at or near the max versus filing bankruptcy if that is an option available based on new guidelines seems like a no brainer to me. Given your current predicament you are viewed as a poor credit risk any way. bankruptcy would give you an opportunity for a fresh start. You'll never dig yourself out the hole by paying little more than the minimum payment with those kind of interest rates.

[madokie]

38. and

[Deja Q]

60. Good for you.

Now tell us about all the other ways that you're better than the rest of us.

I thought lefties were supposed to be sympathetic, if nothing else.

Glad you're doing fine.

But we'll remember you the next time you have a rant, complaint, or unsavory personal situation.

Not that I blame you in one respect; there is no need for having credit cards - they were an invention to increase banks' profits. And they lure people in; even high schoolers these days.

[question everything]

73. You must be one of the lucky one who has never been unemployed,

never seen his business going downhill, never encountered large medical bills..

Most people do not accumulate large credit debt or declare bankruptcy because they splurge on vacations to Hawaii. Most end up deeply in debt, or in bankruptcy because of unforeseen circumstances.

[madokie]

108. been unemployed, unemployed now, disability

No I just never lived beyond my income, we use our savings account as colleratal to keep the interest low, while at the same time the savings is earning interest. And yes I've been lucky, lucky to have been raised in a poor, money wise, household. No medical problems until my 54th birthday, DVT, PAD. Veterans Administration is my medical insurance, I paid dearly for it 35 years ago I might add.

[texanwitch]

32. I am getting a low interest loan from my credit union and paying

Chase off. I rather pay the credit union then a credit card company.

The credit card companies are going to hurt themselves, I know more people who cutting up their credit cards and keeping only one or two and not using them very often.

[oregonindy]

33. Write a letter and send it certified mail. In this letter

Tell them you would like to make arrangements to see the original contract with your original signature at the local branch of what ever bank card you have.

see what happens.


seriously do it. Takes a couple bucks and few minutes worth of your time.

[postulater]

141. What are you saying would happen?

[mike_c]

34. I am so glad to be 100 percent credit card free....

Not one. I do use a debit card for the convenience of plastic, but don't have ANY credit cards. I was lucky-- my divorce lawyer recommended bankruptcy nearly two years ago. Best financial move I ever made.

[GrumpyGreg]

35. I hate Chase ---cancel your card,and fast.

I have a Chase card and paid in full last month(about $750.00) and had no new charges.

When I received the next bill there was one charge on it---$3.50 in interest.

I called them and asked how on earth I could have interest on a bill paid in full and no new charges. Well apparently they were charging me interest from the billing date until they received the payment(I paid it the day I received it)---in other words I was charged interest for MAILING TIME.

This is probably a ploy to get me to pay on-line because it has never happened to me before.

She adjusted the amount and I kept the card since it is only 7.99% interest. Had she not adjusted the charge I would have cancelled.

[IronLionZion]

149. It IS a ploy to get you to pay online

they hate people like you and I.

The bastards at HSBC Mastercard just stopped sending me my bill one fine day. I asked them why and they said it's my responsibility to pay the bill even if I don't receive it. So that forced me to join the online banking and I had to pay finance + late charge. That was the only problem I've ever had. Nonetheless I got a debit card and use it instead. The CC is just for emergencies.

[demgrrrll]

40. I hate Chase. They turn you upside down and shake the pennies out

of your pockets. Vampires.

[davidwparker]

42. Be careful of the debt management program. It goes on your credit

bureau.

I had a Chase card one time and they took me out of a fixed 4.99% and put me into a higher one. Reason? They had put something on my statement saying to call them if I didn't want a higher APR. Otherwise, they'd raise it. I called customer service -- and got someone who wasn't in India -- and he said alot of their customers like higher APRs. :puke:

I got a 401k loan and paid them off. Only have AMEX now.

You have to watch them. They can change the terms of your agreement at anytime. They just have to give you a few weeks notice.

[Ilsa]

45. Ours is getting paid off. Every month. And I'm still going to collect

those free hotel-stay points. Bastards. 18% for last month.

[unblock]

48. check the change of terms notice

usually you have the option to keep the old rate by cancelling the card.
you keep the old interest rate, you can't make new charges of course, but you can keep the existing balance until it's paid off.

that might help you, i don't know.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

49. We just completed our Chapter 7....we began the process....

...in April 2005 so we were able to get it done under the old rules.

My technical recruiting business started to go downhill in late 2000 right after the NeoCon Junta Coup of December 13, 2000. Clients that I had done business with for years no longer called me, but would talk politely when I called them...if they picked up the phone. My business was absolutely slammed after the attacks of 911...my long-term clients no longer talked to me at all. Dead silence. Closed the doors in 2003 after trying to hang on as long as I could.

We still have the house and some secured debts associated with the house, and we have our two cars. We still have our kids, age 7 and 5...they don't know what's going on, and hopefully, they will NEVER know. My oldest daughter is in her third year of college...this will be the last year that I can help her financially, and I'm dreading the day that I have to tell her that.

We've lost everything else...no savings, no stock, no cash in the bank, no health care. My wife works 50-60 hour weeks as the assistant director of a day-care center, and I am looking for yet another new job in a long string of unsuccessful attempts to "find another line of work".

I've stayed connected to the Internet to stay sane, and to keep from talking to myself. My wife and I don't talk much about this at all because it is very upsetting to both of us.

I'll be 55 next month. My wife will be 40 this year. We're not exactly where we thought we would be at this point in our lives. It is absolutely NO comfort to know that there are millions of Americans across the country in the same or worse financial condition.

Thanks, Herr Busch. Thanks for everything.

[Deja Q]

59. Bush didn't start the problem. But I think he's going to solve it.

And not in a way we're going to like.

The last 30 years speaks for themselves.

And if NAFTA wasn't a final wake-up call, then nothing would be.

History has been paved, and we have been steamrollered.

Like I keep saying; enjoy life while you can.

[nolabels]

153. The high rollers are going to have it coming when they get it..........

In weird sense I share your pessimism but in a optimistic way. Sure it may get worse but the taller the ladder the longer the fall.
Many a peon (me be one) sitting on the ground floor will just have to move out of the way when they go splat B-)

[noamnety]

143. PLEASE just tell your daughter now

The more lead time she has, the better chance she has of planning her summer jobs, internships, rooming for next year, class schedules accordingly. The longer you wait, the less chance she has of getting priority for work study jobs on campus, for scholarships and grants, etc.

[sakabatou]

51. That's... fucked up.

[Beausoir]

54. Phone them!

Really. It works.

Read through the fine print on their statement and they almost always offer an escape hatch as far as high rates. Something like "Introductory rate".

Phone them and tell them you want your rate lower.

[NoodleyAppendage]

55. You're not alone. They did the same to me. MY LETTER TO THEM.

I have been a Chase customer since the early 90s and enjoyed a fair APR. I had NO HISTORY of late payments, overlimits, or other contractual problems. My last bill was accompanied by one of the micro-print contract change bullshit amendments stating that my APR was moving from a fixed 14% to a variable APR no less than 27.99%.

Here's my written letter to Chase I sent to request that they close the account out...in part to fix my rate at the current 14%. I'll be damned if those fuckers were going to milk me at a criminally high rate.

--------------------

Re: cancellation of Chase Visa credit card

To Whom It May Concern:

As a Chase Visa card member since 1991, I find it sad and morally reprehensible that your corporation has chosen to penalize my account by moving the interest rate from a 14.00% fixed APR to an obscenely high 27.99% variable APR.

Let me be very clear that your corporation’s decision was not based upon irresponsible behavior on my part, as my account is always paid early and at least twice the minimum payment is made each month. Your corporation’s decision can only be taken as pure, unmitigated greed and poor business practice.

Accordingly, I wish to sever my relationship with your company and ask for my account to be cancelled immediately. It is my understanding that this effectively freezes my account at the current fixed APR for the remaining balance of my account. My account number is as follows: XXXXX

Once my account balance is paid off in full, please be aware that I will never return to using Chase corporate services for the remainder of my life and will actively discourage any and all of my friends and family from ever using your corporation’s services.

Just as unwise credit card use has it’s consequences for the card holder, so does the flagrant effort by your corporation to “put the thumbscrews” on responsible users paying down their balances. I realize that the loss of my business is just a drop in the bucket and inconsequential in the grand scheme of your corporation’s bottom line. However, my discouragement of many, many others from ever using your services will have an adverse impact that I hope will instruct your company on the consequences of poor business practices and implementation of interest rates that would make a mobster blush.

Please feel free to contact me for any additional information, if needed. I can be reached via email at XXXX or by phone at XXXX

Sincerely,

XXXX

----------------------

Nuff said,
JB

[question everything]

71. Great letter. Did it work? Did this freeze the account

at a lower rate?

[NoodleyAppendage]

122. Yep. They were bound by their contract to freeze the rate.

Many of the amended credit card contracts are no longer modifiable when the account is closed. The terms are set in perpetuity (assuming you make continued payments on time) at the time of account closure.

I can't stand Chase. What they attempted was pure unmitigated greed and morally wrong...they were banking on persons not paying attention. When it comes to credit card companies, one should always keep an eye over their shoulder.

JB

[DemonFighterLives]

74. Great Post and letter

Between the micro print and the mobster blush, I was :rofl:

:argh:

[Deja Q]

56. I wish

I had put the plastic bag over myself and have it done 3.5 years ago when I had 3.5 times as much debt. They'd still write it all off anyway, but at least I wouldn't have tried.

I see the end of the tunnel approaching, but the state of the economy has kept me happily depressed all this time. I'm hoping TO have it all paid off by then, but something tells me that won't happen.

You'll be in a program with lower rates; just like before they pulled their stunt; if not lower rates than what you had in the first place. 6% is preferable to 13% any day.

[Redneck Socialist]

65. I imagine you get 80 million credit card offers...

in the mail on a regular basis.

Call Chase up, say "Hey Money Grubbing Evil Bastard Visa Company (or whatever) is offering me a fixed rate of 10% if I transfer my balance. You guys got any reason why I shouldn't accept that offer?"

They'll drop your rate back down in a heart beat. I was unemployed for a bit, got behind on my bills and my credit card company jacked my rate. I called them up, threatened to transfer my balances and they dropped it right back down.

Try it. What have you got to lose.

[question everything]

66. Do you still get offers for those teaser low interest rates?

If yes, grab one of those to pay the other cards. Yes, it will be 0% or 2.99% for six months or a year, but will give you a breather.

Once you transfer balance put the card away. Do not use it. But pay it down every month. More than the minimum.

This will clear at least one card that you can use for every day purchases and that you have to pay in full, really.


On edit, try there http://www.bestcreditoffers.com/index.php?rid=010113&link=1213&lid=95405

[DemonFighterLives]

68. Thanks for posting Chase

I decided to look at our bill. We put medical charges on chase and 2.99 and we watch the bill pretty close. No new charges whatever. Well here they automatically put payment protector on last month and this month for 14$ each time.
:nuke: :argh:
I was about to go for the jugular, but "payment protector" is not open right now.
I'm fit to be tied. Chase will soon be leaving our household.
:freak:

[jbnow]

85. What is "payment protector" ?

Sounds like you were surprised by it.

[DemonFighterLives]

103. I assume it is payment insurance or something

The clerk actually told me that sometimes it is placed the account automatically and it is up to you to have it removed. It was the wife's card so he wouldn't tell me much except that there was one other charge there from "it".
We have been very careful not to purchase anythning on that card since it was carrying a balance from medical bills. Once a puchase goes on such a thing, the higher interest item (purchases) never seems to go away and therefore you pay more interest on the bill. The so- called purchase carries a 19.24% rate while the original was at 2.99%.


Edit: The wife says she agreed to it. The salesperson said it was only .89 cents a month. :argh: Hopefully undone today.

[jbnow]

145. Thanks for explanation

If clerk hadn't lied and price was .89 cents it would be a good deal, likely making your payments for a period if you could not?

I consolidated some debts on a special offer at 3.99% for life of debt. I then bent the card in half and put it away so I wouldn't accidentally use it for the reasons you noted.

I was going to close other cards but one, but my son (a financial adviser) said then I could be in trouble for the debt/credit ratio. Someone else explained that somewhere on this thread. I have them all put away with the bent cards. They were cards I got for special offers like a year to pay off new flooring with no interests. I got them all paid off before interest kicked in, but didn't get around to closing them. As soon as this low interest debt is paid down I am closing them. Credit scares me now, I don't trust the companies anymore.

[The Whiskey Priest]

72. There are people in Atlanta Federal Prison

doing 40 years for loan sharking that did not charge that interest rate.

[f-bush]

75. Now you can't even file bankruptcy on this shit

fuckin banks have you by the balls and shrub and his sick fraternity of buddies are lovin it. Time for a revolution!

[Bluebear]

76. Thank you Senator Biden. nt

[eridani]

78. If you want to keep credit cards--get them from credit unions!

Although they can pull this shit, they usually don't. From Boeing Employees Credit Union, I have a $15K limit, no membership fee, and 6.9% interest. Their savings accounts, money markets, and CDs give you higher interest rates as well.

[roguevalley]

79. thank, also, Joe Biden, a dickhead's dickhead.

[tcfrogs]

81. Sorry, but this line is huge

Just a high balance on several cards.

It establishes a high risk factor. Sorry, but it's the truth.

[REP]

84. Your Credit Score/Rating Is Lower Now; Here's Why

You pay on time as agreed and don't have any delinquencies. Why would your credit rating take a nosedive? It's due to your credit:debt ratio, which is your line of credit available : amount of the credit used. If you had $25K in debt, but cards worth $250K, you're fine, but if you have $10K in debt on card worth $15K, you are at credit:debt ratio that lowers your credit rating (sometimes enough to put you in a "risk" score), and makes you "eligible" for higher interest rates and lowers your FICO score. Also, if any of that debt is on a one-store-only card, like a department store card and you've exceeded 50% of that card's limit that also plummets credit/FICO scoring, even more so than carrying large balances on VISA/MC/Discover cards.

[jbnow]

86. Shocking. Really.

You are obviously a little stretched but you were doing well paying everything on time. They are making it harder to do. Now will be the interest PLUS a % of total.

Chase raised mine once, not that high. I called and told them to lower rate or close it. That they'd been great to work with but I wasn't interested in keeping the card with a higher rate. They lowered it to the previous rate.

But that was a few years ago before they were acting so evil with congressional approval.

And speaking of congress when you are up to it contact everyone of your US reps and senators and tell them what happened with no safeguards for us. I know Dems tried to get some in but I don't know if there were any amendments that they can't raise rates that sent the Mafia to jail for someone as responsible as you were being.
Not that any of the amendments passed.

I hope you will be OK. There are many people who couldn't possibly meet the minimum now especially with gas and heating gone crazy too.

Thanks for the warning and I am really sorry they did this.

[rman]

88. You'r one of their least profitable customers, so they try to move you

into the "sweet spot" (you barely being able to make payments); making you more profitable to them.

Frontline
PBS
Secret history of the credit card
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/credit/

[unhappycamper]

89. You raise an excellent point - credit card companies are predators

I've had a credit union visa card at 9.9% for the last 10 years. During some rough times, I was late on a few payments but I was never penalized. It's the only card I have/use.

I've also found a creative way to slow down those credit card offers.

I stuff the prepaid return envelopes with cut up mail order catalogs or magazines. If you're careful, you can get most of a small LL Bean or a J Marco catalog in one of those puppies. Mail order catalogs (or magazines) are my favorite because of the density of the paper. I make a point not to deface the barcode or anything printed on the envelope - I want these bastards to know who replied to their offer. A few months ago, I asked a clerk at my local PO how much the postage would cost on an envelope I was particularly pleased with. He told me the folks that sent that offer owed about $2.67 for that piece of mail.

After about six months of recycling, I'm down to only one or two offers a month.

[DemonFighterLives]

107. Good job on that Pack age

:rofl:

[lonestarnot]

90. Jesus! get a loan and pay the fucking thing off!

[klook]

91. Take it from one who's been there

I used to have a lot of debt. Took me years to pay it all off, with a consolidation loan and ironclad determination not to EVER use the card until it was fully paid off. Now I use a credit card, but I pay off the balance every single month. I would sell something if I had to in order to be able to make that payment.

Do you know what credit card companies call customers who pay off their balance in full every month? "Deadbeats." (This is true; I heard it on the Motley Fool radio program.) Well, I can proudly say that now I'm glad to be a Deadbeat.

Here's some more useful info about credit cards: http://credit.about.com/od/creditanddebitcards/a/022305.htm

Stay strong. You can climb out of the hole. It will take a while, but you'll feel better every step you take, and when you finally get there, you'll be a new person.

[Name removed]

92. Deleted sub-thread

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[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

94. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

95. Deleted message

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[Speed8098]

96. Same thing happened to me

I called them and got the same story. My credit card balances were too high. :wtf:

I said, "Great, now I have an even higher monthly payment to make to you. Thank you sooo much, I'm sure this reward you've given me for being a good customer is going to be incentive for me to use your cards more often..........idiots"

It doesn't matter that I bank with Chase, I have my mortgage with Chase, and all 4 of my credit cards are with Chase.

BTW, my entire credit card debt is less than $6000.00

I know, I know, leave the cards alone. But I have a 15 year old daughter and I live on Long Island.
Need I say more?

[laylah]

97. As a recently divorced

woman (3 years now) I have gone from access to an $87k income a year to less than $13k. I have had to live on my cards, now I am in WAY over my head. That said, those people can raise their rates all they want, with my $750 - $800 month income, I am filing this week. I'm tired of being part of this "economic recovery", when the only one's recovering are the upper 1 - 2 %. This will be the end of a 30 plus year run of pristine credit. :cry:

Jenn

[Vinca]

98. Switch to a lower rate card and work like the devil to pay it off.

I've been selling stuff on ebay to make some extra money to get out of debt once and for all. I'm really pissed the credit card legislation did nothing to prevent them from socking us with usurious interest rates.

[Chalco]

100. I pay my credit card off each month. So they don't

make any money off me in interest. So, I always find it interesting that when for some reason, like I'm on vacation or whatever and I've been a day late in paying and I've called up and complained about the penalty fee, they've taken it off. When I call up and ask what the fee on my bill is in an inquisitive manner whoever answers in customer service always says, "Hmmm, you're such a good payer, I'm going to remove that fee."

I've always found it interesting that those who can pay, pay less than those who can't pay.

[laylah]

101. As a divorced

woman (3 years now) I have gone from access to an $87k income a year to less than $13k. I have had to live on my cards just for essentials (mortgage, utilities, etc), now I am in WAY over my head. That said, those people can raise their rates all they want, with my $750 - $800 month income, I am filing this week. I'm tired of being part of this "economic recovery", when the only one's recovering are the upper 1 - 2%. This will be the end of a 30 plus year run of pristine credit. :cry:

Jenn

[DemonFighterLives]

109. Sorry to hear that

Your income really took a dive huh?
I can't offer you much advice, just wish you good luck.

The Haves and Have Mores (Bush's Base) are smiling on everyone else's misery. Some recovery, their rewards await them in hell.

[qanda]

127. So sorry for your situation

I hope things will get better soon.

[CornField]

102. If your credit is still good, look around for an intro 0% offer

transfer your balance and pay that sucker off as quickly as possible.

[peacebaby3]

104. I HOPE YOU SEE THIS!!! There should be an "OPT-OUT" clause.

There should be an "opt-out" clause in all the fine print they sent you stating they were raising your interest rate.

Normally you have to put it in writing and mail the letter to a certain address by a certain date and you can keep the same interest rate, BUT you cannot use the card again or it will raise the interest rate automatically. Also check and make sure they will not try to force you to pay it off as well. Read all the fine print.

Hope this helps!

[NoodleyAppendage]

124. As a person who had the same thing happen to me. Opt-out means closure.

The opt-out clause on the Chase rate hike is there, but it means that you agree to discontinue your account with Chase. Doing so, however, locks your remaining balance at a lower fixed interest rate...which is GREAT and keeps these bloodsuckers from the interest they otherwise would have earned if they hadn't messed with the interest rate in the first place.

JB

[peacebaby3]

105. Dupe post. Sorry n/t

[McCamy Taylor]

123. This is the ultimate goal of all credit cards. Welcome to serfdom.

[dogday]

125. They are making money out the ass!!!!

Picking out the cardholders with large balances to pay the highest interest is just good business to them. If you are going to make money, make the most you can....

This should not be an acceptable procedure, and these terms should be listed in bold black letters for all to read and understand before they sign....

[qanda]

126. This is the year of zero balance for my husband and me

We have had a terrible time with debt, but will are determined to not have any credit card debt after this year. Hopefully our ten year old car will keep running and we won't have to purchase a new vehicle anytime soon, but getting out from under the weight of debt is a priority for us.

[Hello_Kitty]

139. Same here

I got a part time job for extra money and my b/f has moved in to help with the house payment. I transferred my balances to a zero interest card (for now) and a home equity loan. The extra income is going toward paying it off. I've really curtailed the shopping and eating out, upon realizing how those little expenditures were KILLING me! I get my shopping jones out at yard sales and consignment shops now. By this time next year, barring any unforeseen contingiencies, I will be debt free!

[mom cat]

131. I tore up all my cards. Live cheap...its your best defence!

[Yavin4]

133. The Simple Answer Is

Don't use credit cards at all. Get one card for travel and emergencies, but don't use it on a daily basis. If you find that you MUST use a credit card daily, then take a hard look at your expenses each month and cut them out. Live in a cheaper residence. Take public transportation instead of driving. Whatever you have to do to eliminate the need for using a credit card, do it.

It can be done.

[Hello_Kitty]

135. For that one essential card, try to get one from a credit union

They tend to charge more reasonable interest rates, won't raise them on you arbitrarily, and treat their customers like human beings.

[ljaycox]

142. I just checked my Chase card...

it has my rate at 9.9%, but I have not carried a balance for some years. I use it for business and day to day expenses, but I pay in full every month. I cannot any other charges on the account--I seem to be using this for free. That may change in the future. Let's face it folks, they can look at your overall financial picture and know if you can tell them to get lost. If you can't they are going to take it to you. It is loathsome, but their bondholders are now worried about default risk. We have seen this coming for some time, but I don't think people understand the consequences. Borrowing money right now is something like wages. If you can walk out of your job and get hired by someone else at your wage--your company is not looking to get rid of you. If you cannot get the money from someone else--you are at risk--even if that risk is off-set by other factors (union contracts, etc.) Same with borrowing--if many lenders would want to lend to you, you will be treated well. If that is not the case, you are in trouble. People must read these statements every month. They are required to tell you and you can freeze the balance by canceling the card, but you must read the terms to know this. Find out when they notified you of the change. If you did not increase the balance you may be able to invoke that clause. This folks, is all the risk-offset we have with these credit card companies. My guess is you soon start seeing some pools of money become available to people like you, who are considered high risk to the CC companies because their aggregate portfolios are looking too shaky right now, and the bond holders are starting to charge risk premiums. But, someone who has a good payment history may be able to find some 10% money around. That would be a good return to a relative or friend.

[populistdriven]

146. BORROWING FROM THE MOB:

Chase offerd more cards than there are Crack Dealers in my city!

General Purpose Cards

Chase Cash Plus
Chase Flexible Rewards
Chase Free Cash Rewards
Chase PerfectCard
Chase Platinum MasterCard
Chase Platinum Visa
Chase Rewards Plus
Chase TravelPlus
Chase Value Miles
Stars and Stripes
Unique Card Designs

Rebate Cards

AARP Rewards
Amazon.com
AOL
BellSouth
BJ's Wholesale
Buy.com
Chase Cash Plus
Chase Flexible Rewards
Chase Free Cash Rewards
Chase Home Improvement Rewards
Chase PerfectCard
Chase Rewards Plus
Disney
Marriott Rewards
Overstock.com
Priority Club Rewards Visa Signature Card
ShareBuilder
Sony
Starbucks
Wawa
YAHOO!
Entertainment Cards

Cigar
Disney
Forbes
Grand Ole Opry
Live Broadway
Marriott Rewards
MGM MIRAGE Rewards
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Priority Club Rewards Visa Signature Card
Reader's Digest
Regal Entertainment Group
Six Flags
Sony
Trump Rewards
Universal
Travel Cards

AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah
British Airways
Chase Flexible Rewards
Chase Rewards Plus
Chase TravelPlus
Chase Value Miles
Continental WorldCard
Disney
Kampgrounds of America
Marriott Rewards
MGM MIRAGE Rewards
Priority Club Rewards Visa Signature Card
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards
Sunterra
Trump Rewards
United College Plus Visa Card
United Mileage Plus
Universal
Auto & Gas Cards

AAA of Northern California, Nevada, and Utah
Audi
BP
Chase Cash Plus
Chase PerfectCard
Classic Industries
Hess
Honda
Irving Oil
Marathon
Sheetz
Speedway
Subaru
Volkswagen Bank USA
Retail Cards

Amazon.com
American Skiing Company
Ann Taylor
AOL
Avon
BJ's Wholesale
Borders and Waldenbooks
Buy.com
Chase Cash Plus
Chase Free Cash Rewards
Chase Home Improvement Rewards
Coldwater Creek
EAS
Eskimo Joe's
Orvis
Overstock.com
Philips
Sony
Sprint
Starbucks
Toys "R" Us
Universal
Vermont Teddy Bear
Wawa
YAHOO!
Cards To Support Organizations

AACN
AARP Rewards
Academy of General Dentistry
AICPA
AMA - Sponsored
America's Bravest
American Boating Association
American Society of Clinical Pathologists
Amnesty International USA
ASPCA
Box Tops for Education
Elks
Experimental Aircraft Association
Massachusetts Teachers Association
National Aeronautic Association
National Aquarium in Baltimore
National Association of REALTORS
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
National Geographic
National Notary Association
National Parks Conservation Association
National WE CARE Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
San Diego Zoo
Schoolpop
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
The American Kennel Club
World Wildlife Fund
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
Military Cards

Air Force Association
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Naval Institute
Business Cards

Amazon.com Business Card
American Medical Association Business Card
BellSouth Business Card
BJs BusinessCard
Chase Business Card
Chase Business Card with Free Cash Rewards
Chase Business Card with Premier Cash Rebate
Chase Business Card with Premier Value Miles
Chase Flexible Rewards SelectSM Business Card
Chase Flexible RewardsSM Business Card
Continental Business Card
GM Business Card
Marriott Rewards Business Card
Office Depot Business Card
Priority Club Business Card
Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Business Card
United Mileage Plus Business Card
UPS Business Card

Student Cards

Central Michigan University Student Card
Chase Student Free Cash
Chase Student Rate
Chase Student Ultimate Rewards Express
Cornell University Student Card
Duke University Student Card
Lehigh University Student Card
Louisiana State University Athletics Student Card
NC State Alumni Association Student Card
Oklahoma State Student Card
Oregon State Student Card
Sony Student Card
Starbucks Student Card
Temple University Student Card
Texas Tech Student Card
The Citadel Student Card
The Harvard and MIT Coop Student Card
United College Plus Visa Card
Universal Entertainment Student MasterCard
University of Florida Student Card
University of Kentucky Student Card
University of Maryland Student Card
University of Minnesota Student Card
University of Nebraska Student Card
University of Notre Dame Student Card
University of Oklahoma Student Card
University of Oregon Student Card
University of South Carolina Student Card
University of Tennessee Student Card
University of Virginia Student Card
Utah State University Student Card
Virginia Tech Student Card
Western Kentucky University Student Card
Western Michigan University Student Card
Yale University Student Card
College & University Alumni Cards

Arkansas St University
Ball St University
Blue White Scholarship Foundation
Cal St Northridge Alumni Association
Central Michigan University
Cornell University
Duke University
Harvard and MIT Coop
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[greiner3]

147. And you can't file bankruptcy anymore;

Or the details are ridiculous. repugs suck!

[Joe Chi Minh]

148. That is criminal usury! Utterly shameful. Scandalous beyond

belief.

[debbierlus]

150. They are nothing but a gang of scum - legal LOANSHARKS

All that is missing is the guy named Veto that comes to the door, cracks his knuckles, and 'persuades' you to pay your bill.

I am so sorry.