Got my Providian bill today and there was an insert saying that the "credit protection" is now NOT an optional service and card will be billed $79 annually for this service. I am so annoyed. I like their credit line increases but it isn't worth this. Once I pay this card off I am cancelling.
Lisa-- I don't think this is legal. Providian had some legal problems recently related to slamming accounts with credit protection and entered into a consent decree with the San Francisco District Attorney's Office (where Providian is based) and the US Controller of the Currency. I read the terms and what is happening to you appears to violate them. You should contact the SF DA at 415-553-1752. Ask for the consumer fraud division. I think they would be very interested in this.
I agree with Dave... by the way... check this article back at the end of June 2000... http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/brknews/banks/981254.html "We found that Providian engaged in a variety of unfair and deceptive practices that enriched the bank while harming literally hundreds of thousands of its customers," Comptroller of the Currency John D. Hawke said in a statement. The investigation followed consumers' complaints that the company misled them about rates and fees, changed rates without notice and delayed posting payments to fraudulently create late fees.
Okay. I read through the thing they sent and apparently it is automatic that you are enrolled BUT it does say you can call and opt out. Sorry-I should have read it the first time. Still, it seems pretty crappy to me that they would automatically charge you for that without your consent. They say the fee is "included with your Providian VISA account, is $79 a year and is a finance charge" Whatever.
Even automatic enrollment is a problem. The burden should not be on you to opt out of the program when you never agreed to it in the first place. I would be highly pissed if someone charged my card and told me that it was OK because I could object They shouldn't be doing even that. You should let the DA know what happened so others who didn't read the insert like you did are not harmed.
I Agree let the D.A know. THIS IS WRONG! Besides that I thought credit protection was like 1/2 of 1% of your balance not $80.00 per year!
