Complaint Review: Advanta

Same old story but I got some of my rate reduced by sending LETTERS to Keith Brender, VP customer service in Utah. Don't even bother with phone calls to India, you neeed a paper trail to track complaint. They have to prove you recieved the non-excistent OPT OUT notice. Heres my story:

Advanta raised my rate, July 2008, to 35.49% with no warning although I was a client over ten years and never late or over. I immediately sent a signed fax to that effect as instructed by the customer service representative I called. He said that should take care of the matter.

Having heard nothing in a week, I called again, the rep said they received the fax and not to worry. On Aug. 8th I get an email saying my payment was late. Again I called and was told I had to pay because I didn't respond to the Opt out Notice that I never got!

I realized that talking to reps over the phone was futile, so I sent detailed letters every month asking to reinstate my account to pre July 2nd amounts.
Oct.12, 2008 I finally receive a letter from Keith Brender, VP customer service, stating that my account was closed and acknowledging that I don't accept the Change in Terms effective July 2,2008.
It took until Dec.2008 to finally get my PURCHASE items reduced to 21.74% and some of my overpayments credited, but they refuse to reinstate my PROMOTIONAL items to the pre July rate of 6.99% life, because they say I have late charges.

I was not late, but could not pay the inflated finance charges they wanted over the months (July-Nov.) that they did not communicate with me in writing. Instead, I had paid a good faith amount ($600-$700) every month.
I believe they may also be in violation of federal law, as they did not reply to my fax or letters in writing within 30 days.

Rod p
old lyme, Connecticut
U.S.A.