A little less than a month ago, I was approved for a secured card. Because of the raves I heard, I decided to go for it even though I had just gotten all the Citi credit. I immediately sent them a check for $300 and the W9 form. I started calling them daily about 2 1/2 weeks ago to make sure the check arrived. Some of the representatives were rude, by the way. One of them told me to just wait until the check cleared and then I'd know they got it. Another kept trying to get me to apply for the card I kept saying I had been accepted for!!!! Today I got a letter asking why I hadn't sent in the money and form. I immediately called the number and got another rude representative. She claimed they received the form but not the check, which is complete bull! I checked twice hehe to make sure I put it in there! She told me to just apply for another card, stop payment on the check, and pay $8 for a telephone banking draft. I told her "Will there be another inquiry?" and she said, yes, the 30 days is up. I am really ticked off. To have the audacity to claim I didn't send the check and then act like I'm the one being stupid over one inquiry? Now, mind you, I was very friendly with the reps each time. I always put on my happiest face with the reps so I can be best served. I have had a sinking feeling about FCNB's customer service since I started asking about the check. Now it is pretty confirmed. I wanted the tradeline, but not with people so snippy. Plus, MBNA, Swiss Colony, and Figi's recently gave me credit and I'm set. The only reason I wanted it was because I thought FCNB wasn't in the rip off industry and would make sub primers prime. I would never get this rude service at Sterling, Citibank, or AMEX. I no longer want the card now. I plan to PF them telling them how disappointed I am with them (plus the rep I talked to said they could only do 100% matching for me) Let's see, Citibank, AMEX, MBNA, Capital One, and Sterling all show me excellent service and gave me chances and in a kind and honest spirit. FCNB? Sorry, folks, but your shot is gone I wonder how much a stop payment costs...in a few months, I'll dispute the TU inquiry.
If you deal with my bank, $22.50 for the first one. OUCH! I just don't see enough benefit to a credit report to justify a $300 secured card on the file considering the fees. I think a better use of the money is a signature/guaranteed loan from your bank or credit union. Sorry to hear about your experience author.... hang in there!
I know. I sent in $300 because you supposedly could get five times the credit limit and was going to send more in later. Temporary stupidity I guess I had just thought FCNB was an honest bank and would give good increases like other's on the board. Waste of an inquiry, waste of a stamp, and waste of stop payment fees. I wish I had never done it, but it sounded good. I'll never get a secured card again. Steph
Maybe I better not put stop payment on that check. I've searched this board and read that some people were having some problems with FCNB being shady. Last thing I need is to get accused of writing a bad check. But I do need the money. When does a check get stale dated? Anyone know?
When I was with the banking regulator, the rule was the bank did not have to cash the check after 90 days. But, if they did, there was nothing wrong with doing it. The point is, if you are given a check, don't wait over 90 days or you may not be able to cash it. In your case, they could cash it a year from now, if the bank would accept it. My advice is to stop payment. It is not a bad check as long as you have a good reason.
Varies state by state..... unless printed on the check, it reverts the statue of limitations for a negotiable instrument... shortest i've seen is two years...
I would send them a certified RRR letter relating my experiences so far with them and their customer service, and telling them I had changed my mind about wanting the card, and that I was placing a stop payment on the check on XX date, and "if you ever find it, please return it to me for my records." LOL that ought to take care of any liability and set them up for a lawsuit if they pull any shenanigans. I had the NN/Spiegel card for over a year, and suddenly one month I did not receive a statement. When I realized it, I called and although they were nice enough, I paid it in full - over the phone, and had to pay their fee for the e-check. That statement never has shown up anywhere. The account is sitting there, open but with a big fat zero balance and no activity. I will probably close it if they don't go to online payments in the near future.
I agree. I can't trust them now, why should I continue a relationship? Yeah I read your old posts. Something smells rotten. And that $8? Cross Country Bank isn't that expensive for electronic check. I put FCNB in that CCB/First Premier category. I just called again and another woman was rude. I've had it. I'm writing a certified/RR letter telling them I'm very disappointed in them and calling Wachovia to report it as a stolen check. Steph
I have their unsecured post BK card. Right now I am paying it off. Should be paid off in the next couple months. The interest rate is horrible at 20.5%. It started out at 19.8%. I have no lates and pay more than the minimum each month. I noticed the increase in interest rate in May and called. Their reps told me that because the prime was decreasing that I should see a decrease in the rate the next month. No decrease to this day. I am paying it off and letting it age to the two year mark next year. After that it is gone! I also have a Spiegel that survived my BK, but I really don't use it and will probably close that one as well. I have my Cap 1 and my CU card. Both have better rates. My CU Visa card has a 15% rate and will decrease after a year. If you think what you went through was frustrating, try to do an address change with them. I don't have time to spend on the phone so I usually change my address with my credit cards with my statements. For some reason FCNB totally ignores the changes made on the payment stub. In fact my husband called his in after they ignored his hard copy notifications and they STILL didn't change it. One afternoon after receiving his delayed statement, he called them extremely upset. The next month, the address was finally changed!
.....And get this! I applied for the Eddie Bauer Mastercard. I was denied and told to apply for the Secured and More Card. This representative told me that that was a prime card.....and I didn't qualify. I applied for my chase card the same day. I received the card today with a 6 K limit and 2.99 BT. I already have that card. It isn't secured I received it through some program a few years ago. You know what I mean, 500 cl and 250 in fees ect. I have had the card since 98 my limit now is 1K. I wrote planet feedback regarding my treatment and to make a case to receive the card. That was 2 weeks ago and I haven't heard anything yet.....and honestly, I don't plan to.
And why would they want to help us? I can totally relate! Citibank gave me $15000 of credit, and MBNA is giving me $500 (because of a lousy TU report but they did reconsider kindly!). I applied for Spiegel and got denied for this supposed easy to get card. I then got an offer for the secured card, and I checked it out and it sounded good... Now I wish I had ignored them. I'm hearing more and more bad stories and think they are in the category of sub-prime rip off artists.
