Hi Everyone. Please pardon the repost. But, having received no responses the first time, I thought I'd give my question another shot. A couple years back, when I was in the throws of my financial crisis, I had a card with Providian. There was a point where I became 90 days delinquent. (This wasn't a good card to mess up on, I know...no card ever is but especially this one...But for a three-month period there, I just couldn't pay anything.) During the third month, I saw that my financial situation was loosening up a bit and I called Providian to tell them that I would soon be catching up and I provided the date when I would send payment. True to my word, when the appointed day came, I sent my payment into Providian. We're talking over $400 here. Yep, they wanted late fees, over-limit fees, interest, plus the three missed payments...before they would consider my account current. And To make them happy, I even sent the payment via Western Union and, from that point forth, I faithfully made payments, always more than the minimum, until the card was paid off. It took nine months. You would think that my efforts would have made Providian happy but, apparently, they didn't. When I finished paying off the card, my account was closed and they refused to reopen it. One of the reps told me that I could have an account with them but it would have to be secured and I couldn't keep the original account number. In addition to my paid chargeoff, Providian is the other credit cloud hanging over my head. I've disputed the 90-day late pay several times but it hasn't come off. Providian keeps verifying. Experian did delete the derogatory mark but I'm still stuck with it on Transunion and Equifax. If I can't get the 90-day late removed, then I'd really like to rehabilitate my Providian account because I think it would look better on my credit reports. As I've said, though, the rep said no and I understand that. Providian has that right. But does anyone have any suggestions on how I might be able to sweet-talk them into changing their mind? Honestly, I don't need the credit. My only reason for rehabilitating the account is so that it would look better on Transunion and Equifax. I haven't had any late pays with any company since my Providian fiasco. I did write to Providian a couple months back but never received a response. Since I did keep my promise to pay...and never missed a payment after that...I don't understand why they are being so hard-nosed. Right now, I'm kind of stuck. I haven't been able to get the 90-day late off Equifax and Transunion but I'm also not in a position to get the account looking better on my reports. Providian's offer of a secured card is unacceptable. I don't want a new account with them. I simply want my old one rehabilitated. Any thoughts or suggestions? What should be my next move? Do I have any other recourse? Thanks for any help. Donna
Re: Providian - Any Hope of Ac Donna, Is it possible for you to write the CEO at Planetfeedback.com and ask for the account to be reinstated? Maybe sell them on the fact that you are revolving balances on other cards and would like to be able to transfer those balances to your Providian account (i.e. giving them the chance to earn interest) now that your credit is very good? After all the Citibank and Chase accounts are nothing to wink at... It seems that the retention reps here are as much of hostages to the computer as the retention reps are at Capital One. Maybe Providian has a consumer advocate at their corporate offices. I'm sorry I can't offer real helpful advice, but maybe this will work for you. Marci
Planetfeedback ???? I hear many people talking about planetfeedback. I thought it was just anoher website. Seems like I'm wrong. Can anyone explain this to me, please? I'd appreciate it. Thanks.
Re: Providian -Thanks, Marci Marci, Thanks for the Planet Feedback suggestion. I've never been to their web site but I'm certainly willing to bring it up on my screen and give it a try. Certainly, I don't have a think to lose by asking. Again, I appreciate the help. Donna
Re: Providian -Thanks, Marci mother2, <www.planetfeedback.com> ...is a website which allows you to e-mail a coporation of your choice (provided that it is a participant on planetfeedback) with questions, complaints, suggestions or compliments. Once you register (it's free), the website will ask you some questions about your experience with the company you've selected and then formulate a letter based on your answers. You can cc your state representatives on the letters as well as other friends. Usually the e-mails are addressed to the CEO of the companies, though I think they really are delivered to a customer support unit that has more authority than the average customer service rep. I've had great success with two credit card companies using this medium.
Re: Providian -Thanks, Marci http://WWW.PLANETFEEDBACK.COM/sharedLetters/0,2643,,00.html SORRY FORGOT THE <> HELPS...
Re: Thanks Marci mother2, http://WWW.PLANETFEEDBACK.COM/share...ue=50&sortBy=fb_date&order=desc&coCode=102696 Above is a link to the letter I wrote Cap One re reporting credit limits. I also wrote Providian a long letter re a credit line increase, and got it a few weeks later. While the Cap One letter was not a success in terms of what I wanted, I got some great personal account benefits to appease me. You can't win them all. Marci
Re: Thanks Marci Okay, the link is too long to work, but I simply asked that Cap One report credit limits to CRAs to stop inaccurate and harmful balance to limit ratios. You can search for the letter on PFB shared letters. It is dated 3/9/01 and titled "Capital One Reporting Credit Limits". Marci
Thanks, George... The consumer advocate said he forwarded it to the dept. that decided not to report the limits. So maybe it will have an impact, though I fear it will ultimately take a lawsuit by a consumer who's really fed up and has the time and money to pursue it. Same for Amex and Citibank on this issue... Marci
Re: Providian - Any Hope of Ac I had a similar experience and just recently paid them off in full with a closed account. Any chance of ever re-opening? Is Planet Feedback a way to send the request?
Re: Providian - Any Hope of Ac Providian is VERY tough. They will most likley never re-instate your old account. If you want an account with them that badly you will have to start with the secured again and work up. It's that simple. They also are never going to remove the 90 day late remark. They remember everything and will validate it each time. Actually, they are right. You were 90 days late. Even if you eventually paid, you still didn't pay for 3 months. SO they have a point and they are very hard nosed about it. I would think that it's a better option to just let that tradeline die down and hope that it falls off soon. If you need another line then start another Providian acct. with a secured card and keep it current. That will be a totally clean, positive line. judy
Re: Providian - Any Hope of Ac I agree. I have a 30 day late from 2 yrs ago and have been on time ever since. They will NOT remove it.
