Hello, Everyone!!! In my recent battle against Providian, who is currently reporting to CRA's on a monthly basis that I have a $344 debt to them, I have run up against an obstacle. The CRA's report that I opened an account with them in January of 1996 and stopped paying in May of 1996. I didn't quite understand secured cards back then because it seems like I deposited approximately $250 dollars with them to get a card. The trouble is that I barely used the thing and now each month my reports are getting slammed by these guys. I requested validation and received something in the mail from them. It was a copy of a statement dated March 1996 and showed usage of $79.35 (half was their annual fee) and a total available credit of $245.48. Here is what I think they have done. They took my deposit and gave me a card. They then have whittled down all of my own money over time and have continually charged me fees and such to get to this $344 figure. What should my next tactic be? It is unfortunate that I am in this situation but I hardly ever used the card, moved soon after and probably forgot I had the silly thing. What I want is either a rehabbed card or for the issue to be corrected. What should I do?
I think I would request a copy of the account history. See what it all is. They are paying out now for misdeeds that led to a class action against them. It might pay you to see what the charges have been over all this time.
Good idea, Breeze! I will do that. Should I also state that I'm disputing the amount so that there will be notation to my CR?