AT&T Universal & Citibank Credit Card outlandish rip-off late fees and interest charges Jacksonville Florida
I accepted a fairly generous telemarketing offer from AT&T Universal to transfer balances at 4.9% for a limited period of time. I made my payments promptly throughout the promotional period.
At the end of the promotional period, I was advised that my interest rate was being increased to 24.99% because I had "failed to make a payment to us or ANY OTHER creditor when due." When I challenged the customer service rep that I had NEVER had a late fee charged against my AT&T account, she referred to the fact that I had a late fee charged against another credit card account (Citibank), and that was the reason for the increase.
I was told that they are affiliated with Citibank and that a late payment to them was the same as a late payment to AT&T and the "default rate" would have to be applied. Of course I argued until I was blue in the face that the promotional offer made to such disclosures and that this was nothing but a set-up and a ripoff.
I have since talked to three other customer service reps and their supervisors with the same result. I am now getting notices from other credit card companies increasing my interest rate for the same reason. Even though my payments have been on time to them, they are defaulting me because of late payments to other unnamed creditors.
I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there having this type of problem because I am considering a class action against these a**holes for deceptive trades practices and unfair credit practices. Please let me know if you are having similar problems and contact me so we can sue the bastards.
Samuel
austin, Texas
U.S.A.
1 Updates & Rebuttals
T.
Wilder,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
You can Fix Your Default Rate with Citibank
#2UPDATE Employee
Fri, October 17, 2003
I work for Citibank/At&T credit cards in the customer service dept. I love working for this company, and they are very dedicated to their employees, and for the majority to their customers. I know there are a lot of reps who give customers the wrong information, and it's really aggravating because I'm the one usually getting that same person calling back irate because the previous rep misinformed them. I do apologize to anyone who has received the wrong information. Always get the Reps ID #, believe me they have one. Our names do nothing, our ID #'s is what tracks us. Starting off, I get several phone calls from angry customers because their interest rate has been raised to 27.99% due to them being late (going default)with us or another creditor. I understand the customer when it's only been 1-2 times late, but when someone is consistently late, I don't feel sorry for them, unless there are reasons why there are consistently late. Just to let everyone know, when anyone gets a credit card, in your credit card agreement (RICA), it states that your interest rates are subject to change if you are late with that creditor, or anyone else. Also, credit card co. can also raise your interest rate due to your credit report, if there is anything reporting negatively. I think it's irrelevant to raise someone's interest rate if they have never been late with that specific creditor. But, it's a credit card company, and they can do that. I will tell you that if you call Customer service and ask them to "Cure" your account as a one time courtesy, they can. If not, speak with a supervisor, and specifically say,"Can you cure my account as a one time courtesy." Chances are they will. I fix several people's accounts a day because I know how it is to be screwed by a company. Remember one thing, BE NICE to the CSR. I understand that they're a lot of rude, nasty customer serv. reps, but kindness kills. O-Yeah, here's a little FYI: Once your in a default status(where your interest rate is ridiculously high), and the customer service rep. tells you that after six months of on time payments, they will review your account for a lower rate. Well, that is partially true, but what it is that in 6 months, what ever your balance is at that time stays at that high rate, but any new purchases are at a lower rate, usually 19.99%. Hopefully, this information helps all you consumers out there having problems with credit card companies. To everyone who are having problems with Citibank, Good Luck!