Chase Visa: Quit Harassing Me!

The sick saga continues...

Last month, I wrote about a fun little surprise I found in my mailbox--and no, it wasn't from the Publishers' Clearinghouse. It was my quarterly credit report, and the first indication that some schmuck has been traipsing about Pacific Heights using a credit card in my name.

Needless to say, if I ever find out who has rung up (now) $8,700 in my name I will press charges. But what can I do to Chase, the banking behemoth who has handled this rather big mishap by criminalizing me instead of figuring out how their system failed?

I had a Chase Visa card years ago. Perhaps that was why it was so easy for someone to send in a credit card application that was sent to me and apply for the card. At least, that's what the myriad  people I've spoken to at Chase seem to think happened. Still, the charges on the card are recent, and I haven't used my Chase Visa for years, so why didn't a sudden surge of eight grand in expenditures tip anyone off? I've never had much more than two grand on my card at any one time. I've been called by credit card companies investigating far less-suspicious purchasing activity.

And, if what they think happened was the actual scenario--someone intercepted my mail--wouldn't the identity thief need to call from my home phone number to activate the new card? Shame on Chase if they don't require home-phone activation--that would mean they are declaring an open season on more credit card fraud.

If they did require a phone activation this person would never have been able to use my card. Why? Because I have not been living at the residence on-record for over four years!

When I called Chase about the incident (waiting a collective amount of several hours in between calls--who woulda thunk that connecting with the fraud department and the person who could fax me my paperwork would require an extra hour of phone time? And I never received the paperwork by the way) I was required to give Chase my new address and phone number, so that I could file a fraud claim. Little did I know that I have now invited the Chase collections department to send me ever-growing credit card bills and call my house every other day seeking payment.

Every time I explain what happened, but no one seems to have a record of it. When I called Chase to get all this to stop, they keep insisting that once I fill out my anti-fraud paperwork and it gets filed, that collections department will stop calling me. Unfortunately the collections department is a lot more efficient than the fraud department. I was told it would take 21 days to get the paperwork sent. Then of course the case needs to be investigated. And, eventually, if I'm lucky, this mistake will be removed from my credit report.

B-friend intercepted the first call from the collections department. I figured, I've already been on the phone with five people at Chase, who all reassured me that they closed the account. "I don't trust them," he said. "You better call Chase again and make sure they know this is a fraud." I called collections directly--much easier to get through when they think you are making a payment--and asked to be transferred to the fraud department. I tried to stay calm when I spoke with the representative, who asked for my card number.

"I don't have one! I never had one! I want to stop receiving calls and statements! I want you to leave me alone!"

The nice guy at the other end assured me, yet again, that the calls and bills I was receiving could be disregarded, at least while the case was being investigated. The "at least" part unnerved me more. Was there any possibility that I would be on the hook?

Don't worry, Babe," b-friend said, "we'll stay on it. We'll get to the bottom of this. We'll just wait for the paperwork."

Waiting for this paperwork is like waiting for Godot. I don't know if I'll ever see it. If I'm waiting for redemption or persecution. I can tell you this, regardless of what all of these disconnected employees tell me with confidence, I do not trust their employer, a supposedly established bank with a past in dealing with fraud. Understandably they need to investigate--it's $8,700 after all! But their left hand fails to inform their right, and in the process they antagonize their customers in good standing, and their old customers, who sure as hell won't come back.

The phone rang early Saturday morning, waking me up. It was a sunny, cheerful voice on the other end, thanking me for my first payment on my accruing debt.

"Now if we can just discuss for a minute some payment plans to help you pay the rest off," she started to say, but I stopped her.

You've got the wrong girl, I told her, a little surprised that someone--perhaps the person who had stolen my identity--saw fit to make a first payment toward the card. I didn't ask any more questions. I saw that being proactive only hurt my chances of getting out of this mess. To inquire might make it seem like I cared, and frankly, I want nothing to do with a bank that won't give me my life back.

      

Comments

I tried living without credit card for as long as I could, tried to get a PayPal account instead to be able to shop online but they would not have me because I did not have a credit card. After reading your story I am seriously contemplating getting a PP account and then close my Visa card.

[Joy Des Jardins]

This is EVERYONE'S nightmare Jor. I've worried about this VERY thing. I know you and Jess will stay on top of it...and, it WILL be settled. These things try one's patience beyond anyone's boundries; but you WILL win out. It's WRONG, WRONG, WRONG; and you will be vindicated honey...even if it's at the cost of some of your sanity. I'll be here to listen.... Mom -xo-

[jp]

There is something else to worry about if you have any other kind of debt...I know this from personal experience because the same thing happened to me. If you have other debt, when they pull your credit report periodically to review and see that you have a cc in collections (even if you are disputing the same), your "good" debt (you know that 3% loan that you used to buy your new computer) will suddenly be revoked and you will start seeing those debts at 21 and 24% (or whatever the maximum is in your state. You need to write a letter that threatens to sue Chase for breach of privacy and for not protecting your personal information. This is the only way to deal with these folks because they get the same story from the real losers.

[Diane Pfadenhauer]

I'm thinking you need to be sending MULTIPLE stern letters to various high level execs at Chase, copy the attorney general, everyone under the sun and whatever consumer agency you can find. Waiting for paperwork is much too passive!!

[Donna]

What a nightmare! I agree with the commenter who suggested you threaten legal action - there must be some recourse you can take to at least stop the harrassment and correct your credit record.

Good luck.

[Robert]

So while I am catching up with your blog by reading this, a pop-up appears ... pitching me to apply for a Chase VISA. No fooling!! It's all sooooo insane. So sorry to hear about this. Agree with Diane P. Everyone seems to fear NY's attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, even those out of his jurisdiction, maybe that's a good thing.

[Karen]

Jory - looks like your other commenters beat me to it. Even tho I dont live in the US, and therefore dont know all the laws, I would say that you have definitely got to get things in writing asap. Keep a record of every time you have phoned, who you spoke to and what they promised you. Then write letters to them, requesting the documentation, threatening to sue, whatever it takes. If it's not in writing, they can deny it. (Oh! And be SURE to keep a copy of everything, recording the date it was sent/faxed/emailed so you can refer to it in subsequent letters)

And you go girl! You CAN and WILL beat this thing.

[rosie]

another suggestion is make your calls to chase on your cell phone. most cell phone bills list the numbers dialed and the length of the call. It is another way to prove that you have been in contact with them. Send letters registered so they have to be signed for. Get the main mailing address/ not the po box. Fax them letters with a maching that gives you confirmation of receipt. And of course the usual, names, departments, time and date of all conversations.
What would happen if you reported the card stolen so the card would be pulled on the next attempted use?Even though you never had the card, it may stop further use. Talk to legal before doing this to be sure your state law is on your side.

[gayela]

What if they sent the CC application to your old address. Whoever is living there now could be the culprit.

[Sam DeRenzis]

Hi, after reading your story I can only assume one thing, credit card companies are frauds!

I had a Capital One Visa card a long time back, missing 1 payment went on my credit report, what a joke. Then when I signed up for a new card instead of a Visa they sent me a Mastercard (which I was unable to close myself without talking to a rep, unlike the Visa) It was all to much for my mind to comprehend so I gave up on credit and now am living at home with my parents trying to just survive. Capitalism sucks so bad, everyone wants money and no one cares about you if you don't.

Business's are pathetic.

[Joe]

On the posting about opening a PayPal account to shop online. It's the best way to go these days. You would need a credit card initially to be able to receive a PayPal Debit Card with the Mastercard logo. Then you can just straight out cancel your credit card account to be left with only the PP card.

Credit card companies are very irresponsible in their practices. They have absolute disregard towards their cardholders. If the law doesn't prosecute and penalize these activities more intensely then credit fraud can be reduced. But no one gives a $#!%, starting from the credit card issuers, law enforcement agencies, and the politicians. Kinda makes me want to be do some frauding myself...

[Mull]

Jory,
CHASE IS EVIL! I made ONE late payment, ever! And that was in ten years -- a mind fart I guess -- and they wacked me to 30% interest and reduced my "available" to zero, effectively closing the account! Five of my last six monthly payments were over my $250 minimum by 1.9, 2.6, 2.9, 16.0, and 5.4 times. One was minimum. But do they care? HELL NO! Oh, they offered to remove the $39 late fee. Is that nice or what? But the 30% interest? HELL NO! "Their hands are tied;" all six of them said, followed by tons of lies about; "it's the best rate they have at this time." They actually said that! Are these people on MARS?! I haven't heard of such robbery since I was growing up in east Chicago hearing about gangters. Where are our "protectors," our politicians? I, for one, am going to badger some of mine. Let's chase Chase out of town -- no -- OUT OF THE STATE! It is time for activism!

[Rebecca]

I am at war right now with Chase Visa for my dad. The account was closed back in January (which they never did) and he gave me power of attorney (which they say they never received any document to prove.) He has a pretty large debt and I've been trying to settle with them (dad has advanced cancer.) I am not looking for pity from these *&^(^) but I am not exaggerating when I say they are calling my home over 20 times a week and when they hear my voice they hang up! The calls begin as early as 7:43am and continue straight to 10:03pm! I have filed a report with the Federal Trade Commission since these harassing calls are illegal. They referred me to the Comptroller of the Currency, Customer Assistance Group, 1301 McKinney Street, Ste.#3450, Houston, TX 77010. Phone number 800-613-6743. Fax number to submit complaint is 713-336-4301.
You need to include the cardholder's name, credit card issuer (must be N.A. issued), mailing address, acount number, and what resolution you are seeking. Maybe if enough of us write to them these S.O.B.'s will finally be investigated!!!

[william odell]

I have to thank the last comments from Rebecca. The info she provided is excellent and I will be using it asap. I too have a chase card which I now see I should never have gotten. Late on one payment and i called to explain and now I am getting a phone call every 45 minutes through out the day. I mailed the payment plus extra to take care of it. As soon as it clears my bank I'm thinking of canceling. yep sounds good to me. Thanks again Rebecca

[Jamie Evans]

After reading this article, I immediately closed my Chase account, which I hadn't used in years. I also decided to check in on my apr, it was at 24% up from 8% the last time I used it! They had never notified me about the changes in my apr, I've had a $0 balance for 4 years!

Thanks for the warning, people are listening!

[Get Your 3 Free Credit Scores]

the first indication that some schmuck has been traipsing about Pacific Heights using a credit card in my name

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