Credit card companies are ridiculous

[kbkids]

I'm sitting here cracking up because this is just too funny. I just paid off a credit card and then sent them a message to close the account.
"Please close the above referenced account. Thank you, XXXX (My name)."
I get this response, "Only the primary cardholder may close the account. Please have the primary account holder send the request." HUH?? They had no problem taking the money from my own personal account, but I'll play, so I send back, "Please close the above referenced account. Thank you, XXX (DH's name)." "We have processed your request and hope that you will consider doing business with us again in the future."

 

[Nancy]

I'm surprised they actually closed the account. I tried to close my Discover account (notice the word tried) I even cut up the card and mailed it back to them. They sent me a new card with an increased credit line! Gotta love them. I gave up and just don't use the card.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Our internet service is like that. We closed the credit card that the service was auto-billed to, so I called to change it to another card. BOTH the old credit card and the new credit card were mine, but the guy INSISTED that he could do nothing for me - he had to talk to DH! Okey dokey.

 

[bicker]

I love my wife with all my heart, but I don't expect anyone else to trust her as much as I do, much less a bank.

 

[kbkids]

I love my wife with all my heart, but I don't expect anyone else to trust her as much as I do, much less a bank.

I get that - but it is a JOINT account. I'm not just an authorized signer, it's a joint account. I've still got the application where it was set up that way. I worked in banking for 15 years. Joint accounts - either person has full authority to do whatever they please with the account.

Not to mention that my DH couldn't begin to tell you one thing about the account. He still has to ask me what his SSN is. I called them once for something, and they refused to speak to me. Okay, put DH on the phone. He told them to tell me whatever I needed to know - they still refused - again, it's a JOINT account. So, we sat there doing the "translator" thing - say this, he'd tell me the response, now ask this, he'd repeat the response back - it's was so aggravating and actually is now one of the main reasons the account is being closed.

 

[bicker]

I don't believe there is joint ownership for credit card accounts. There is always a primary cardholder and then associate cardholders. That's different from bank accounts, for which there are several ownership models, including joint ownership.

That's one reason why they say women should ensure they get some credit cards in their own name, so they can foster their own credit history.

 

[kbkids]

I don't believe there is any-such-thing as a joint account for a credit card. There is always a primary cardholder and then associate cardholders. That's different from bank accounts, for which there are several ownership models, including joint ownership.

This one is - like I said, still have the application where it was set up - it was ages ago when we were first married. They required proof of both incomes, both social security numbers, names/numbers of non-family references, etc.

 

[kbkids]

That's one reason why they say women should ensure they get some credit cards in their own name, so they can foster their own credit history.

Just closed on a construction loan, my credit score is better than my DH's. We all got a big kick out of that.

 

[bicker]

This one is

Evidently, the credit card company disagrees. Sorry you had a difficult time of it.

 

[kbkids]

Evidently, the credit card company disagrees. Sorry you had a difficult time of it.

Not a difficult time - not sure why you're so set on trying to proof me wrong - but anyhoo, my OP was to say their methods were just funny - hence the "I'm sitting here cracking up" line. They had no way of knowing who was sitting at the computer. If they were so adamant that it had to be DH, it should have required a letter with his signature, or at the very least, a phone call. The way it was handled was silly.

I worked in corporate banking for 15 years, closed loans, set up credit lines, etc. for $$$$$ companies, not to mention their very wealthy executives. I'm very well aware of what can and can't be done with banking accounts. It's just in the past 4-5 years that banks have really all started to change rules around, and some of them really don't make a bit of sense.

 

[bicker]

I'm not sure why you're so set on trying to make it sound like I'm trying to prove you wrong.

Seriously, the credit card companies operate differently than you expected; I think you said that yourself. The point I made was that I appreciate the changes they're making.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Not a difficult time - not sure why you're so set on trying to proof me wrong - but anyhoo, my OP was to say their methods were just funny - hence the "I'm sitting here cracking up" line. They had no way of knowing who was sitting at the computer. If they were so adamant that it had to be DH, it should have required a letter with his signature, or at the very least, a phone call. The way it was handled was silly.

I worked in corporate banking for 15 years, closed loans, set up credit lines, etc. for $$$$$ companies, not to mention their very wealthy executives. I'm very well aware of what can and can't be done with banking accounts. It's just in the past 4-5 years that banks have really all started to change rules around, and some of them really don't make a bit of sense.

Hence his screen name, he likes to bicker with people!

I do understand your point. What they did was ridiculous. And the ridiculous interest rates they can get away with charging, oh my goodness!!
My card company increased my rate because I was 2 days late with my payment and I explained why but they still raised it. I called and asked, nicely, if they would lower it. They would, but not back where it was. I told them I had 2 options: 1) sign up with a new card at a lower interest rate and transfer my balance or 2) get a personal loan from my bank and pay it off. Either way I would be closing my account with them, unless they would put the interest back to where it was. They refused so I got the loan from the bank and paid them off and closed the account. They still sent me another bill a month later for a little more interest (jerks) but so far I haven't seen one yet for June so I'm thinking they're finally done.

 

[kbkids]

And my point is that they may want to find a better way to police their new rules because it's a joke.

 

[bicker]

Well I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Their new rules aren't jokes, and the way they enforce them aren't jokes either.

 

[kbkids]

Hence his screen name, he likes to bicker with people!

AHA!! Makes total sense now.

 

[buddy&wooz]

We received a balance transfer offer (checks) from our cc company that said the "primary account holder" had to call and activate the checks. I called and they said dh was the primary (I opened the account, my name is first on the bills- but he earns the money .) So I went online and logged in to the account and activated them there. If the woman on the phone had taken a minute to verify my identity I don't see why they couldn't let me activate the checks. She wanted nothing to do with me, though.

 

[kbkids]

We received a balance transfer offer (checks) from our cc company that said the "primary account holder" had to call and activate the checks. I called and they said dh was the primary (I opened the account, my name is first on the bills- but he earns the money .) So I went online and logged in to the account and activated them there. If the woman on the phone had taken a minute to verify my identity I don't see why they couldn't let me activate the checks. She wanted nothing to do with me, though.

Yup, that's the kind of stuff I'm talking about.

 

[diznygirl]

Well I guess we'll have to agree to disagree. Their new rules aren't jokes, and the way they enforce them aren't jokes either.

Except that she was able to close the account without actual proof that it was her DH doing the requesting - which IS a joke!

You can agree to disagree, appreciate their attempts, and whatever else you want to call it - but the OP is right about this one.

 

[bicker]

Ah yes, it is a joke that she was able to commit fraud. I'll agree with you there.

 

[diznygirl]

Ah yes, it is a joke that she was able to commit fraud. I'll agree with you there.

Well, then she should have had her DH hit the send button.