I HATE Capital One... The Debacle...

[AKL_Megs]

So here is the story...

About two months ago, our Capital One bill fell between the seat while on the way to the post office to be mailed with a stack of other bills. My DH found it a couple weeks after the fact and immediately put it in the mailbox, but it was already about two days late at that time.

We ALWAYS pay our bills on time, so this was a one time thing. I immediately called Capital One and talked to a really nice woman who told me that my NEXT bill would have a late fee charge on it, but that I should ignore it, that she would be taking care of it now.

Fine. The next month came, and I mailed the bill minus that $45 as I was told to do.

Well, THIS month, my bill comes, and it turns out that they have now FINANCED that $45 since it wasn't paid. I called Capital One back, explained my situation, talked with a very rude woman, and was told that I would have needed to PAY that $45, and it would have been credited THIS month. I told them that "Jane Doe" told me to do it the other way around, that I wasn't paying any finance charges, and then asked to speak to a supervisor.

I was put on hold, and then hung up on.

When I called Capital One back, I was told that a password had been placed on my account moments ago.

I am to assume that the last person I spoke with was mad that I was upset and asked for a supervisor, and messed with my account. Nobody at Capital One will believe me. They have no idea what could have happened, but can't do anything about it. I spoke to a fraud supervisor who told me that I can't make any changes to my account because of the password, but told me that the last person I talked to had taken care of the finance charge issue (which she did from what I can tell online) so I am all squared away with that.

They told me that, in order to make changes on my account and get the password taken off, I would need to send them a copy of my drivers license or SS card (which I would NEVER mail anyways) to be sure it is ME and a note with my signature that says that I did not authorize a password on my account.

Here is the problem...

I got MARRIED about two months ago, and I legally changed my name, got a new drivers license, etc., however, I have yet to contact any credit card companies, etc.

My Capital One card is issued to "Megs Doe" and my drivers license and SS card is now "Megs Smith".

I wouldn't worry about sending them a note at all, but what if my account is stolen and I need to cancel my card! I won't be able to with a password that I don't know on my account!


How should I handle this situation?

 

[Caradana]

I'm sure others will disagree ...
I'd just pay the $45+charge. You're probably burning more time on the phone and with the aggravation than the $45 is worth. There are some things in life that aren't worth the frustration. I would chalk this one up in that column. Others, like I said, will disagree and will have all kinds of advice about repeatedly calling, sending certified mail, etc.
Then, pay it off and chop up the credit cards. I might be the only Dave Ramsey fan in my secular East Coast city ... but I like him. He's got good advice. If you need help figuring out how to pay off the cardl, research him.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I'm sure others will disagree ...
I'd just pay the $45+charge. You're probably burning more time on the phone and with the aggravation than the $45 is worth. There are some things in life that aren't worth the frustration. I would chalk this one up in that column. Others, like I said, will disagree and will have all kinds of advice about repeatedly calling, sending certified mail, etc.
Then, pay it off and chop up the credit cards. I might be the only Dave Ramsey fan in my secular East Coast city ... but I like him. He's got good advice. If you need help figuring out how to pay off the cardl, research him.

They already took care of the $45... I don't HAVE to pay it, everything is squared away.

All I want to know is what I should do about fixing the password issue with my new name!

I could care less about $45!

What if my account is stolen and I need to cancel my card! I won't be able to with a password that I don't know on my account!

 

[Caradana]

Yup, you will. If you call and tell them that card is lost or stolen, they won't care about any password, they'll cancel the card and reissue you a new # behind the password. You'll get new plastic by mail. Keep in mind, if that card is fradulently charged up, THEY lose ... they won't let that happen.

For now, I'd just pay the paper bills and pay the card off ... just to end it. Capital One caters to sub-prime. You don't want to be associated with them again. Time for a new financial day.

 

[MrsPete]

They told me that, in order to make changes on my account and get the password taken off, I would need to send them a copy of my drivers license or SS card (which I would NEVER mail anyways) to be sure it is ME and a note with my signature that says that I did not authorize a password on my account.

Let's think through why this is really, really stupid: Suppose I had stolen your purse, and I had your credit card. Suppose I called and had that password put on your account (presumably so I could charge, charge, charge, and you would be unable to close the account). Wouldn't I also have your driver's license, and how would they know it was me instead of you sending it in? Bringing it in in person would be useful -- they could see whether it's really you or me -- but mailing in a copy of your license proves nothing!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Yup, you will. If you call and tell them that card is lost or stolen, they won't care about any password, they'll cancel the card and reissue you a new # behind the password. You'll get new plastic by mail. Keep in mind, if that card is fradulently charged up, THEY lose ... they won't let that happen.

For now, I'd just pay the paper bills and pay the card off ... just to end it. Capital One caters to sub-prime. You don't want to be associated with them again. Time for a new financial day.

I never thought of that! But you are absolutely right! I am so tired of them, and I mainly use my AMEX, but I have had this card since I was 17, so I keep it going for that reason. We are house hunting, so it's keeping me in a good rate, but once we buy, I think I am totally ditching CO.

Let's think through why this is really, really stupid: Suppose I had stolen your purse, and I had your credit card. Suppose I called and had that password put on your account (presumably so I could charge, charge, charge, and you would be unable to close the account). Wouldn't I also have your driver's license, and how would they know it was me instead of you sending it in? Bringing it in in person would be useful -- they could see whether it's really you or me -- but mailing in a copy of your license proves nothing!

Or asking me my mother's maiden name... I even offered up ALL of my old addresses... all they wanted was that stupid note and picture! Not the smartest company.

 

[maelstrom]

Report the card stolen and they'll close it. And then send an EECB (executive email carpet bomb) to all the head honchos at Captal One, because you're right, they DO suck!

 

[SandrA9810]

I'd say wait a few days, maybe next week to call them back. There's one CC that always asks me, "what's your password??" and I'm like I never set one up, well it's the mother's maiden name... Usually they'll give you a hint to the password. It's likely something that they already have on file, like a mother's last name or date of birth. Just gotta find a nice one that'll let you have a hint. You said you can still access the account online, so you can still monitor your account daily. Now if anything happens with that... then I'd cancel immediately.

As for finance charges, they can credit back to you the 45$, but that does not lower your min payment by 45$. Say you purchased something for 20$, returned part of it for 5$, that 5$ credit will reflect on your credit balance/limit, but it's not going to credit your account 5$ like you mailed them a check.

I've had a mishap here and there, usually you still have to pay the total min balance, and they will credit your account 45$. Makes it a bit tough sometime, but at least you've over paid by 45$, and it's that much less on your total bill.

 

[Green Tea]

Now, I'm not calling you this, or saying that you were to the CS rep, but if she got ticked off enough to put a password on your account just for spite, try to see if *itch might be the magic word. (or if numbers correlate, 24884)