Credit One Bank harassment has been reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) by over 1,200 consumers in the last four years. Complaints allege that the credit card company has harassed consumers by placing repeated calls to their cellular phones, attempting to collect for charges that were reported as fraudulent and suspending consumer’s online accounts for no reason. So what can be done to stop Credit One Bank Harassment?
Credit One Bank Harassment Complaints
Many of the 1000+ consumer complaints filed with the BBB against Credit One Bank describe rude and unhelpful customer service representatives, long wait times, automated menus that do not work correctly, and disconnected or dropped calls. Many consumers have also complained that the credit card company’s online account access and mobile app never work correctly, lock them out for no apparent reason, and do not provide basic services that other credit companies websites and apps provide. The company has also gotten many complaints alleging that they refused to take a payment and then charged late fees for the missing or late payment.
Other complaints allege violations of the Rosenthal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (RFDCPA), a California law that mirrors the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), but unlike the federal law, applies to original creditors and not just debt collection agencies. These violations include:
- Charging consumers bank accounts without permission
- Adding fees not authorized in the original agreement
- Making repeated calls to consumers to collect on late payments
- Reporting false credit information to the credit reporting bureaus
It appears as if Credit One Bank harassment comes in many forms, including preventing consumers from making payments by adding extra digits to bank account numbers then returning payments made on the ‘invalid’ account, charging a $9.95 fee to pay online, suddenly requiring verification of bank accounts and refusing to accept payments until it is received, and returning checks without reason. According to numerous complaints on the BBB’s website, after the company refuses payment, it then charges late fees and returned payment fees for the late payment. Online reviews and complaints also call the company a predatory lender and say that customer service representatives make false statements regarding fees in order to convince consumers to keep their accounts open, that the company charges the annual fee in monthly installments without notifying consumers, causing them to have late fees for months when they had a zero balance, and that they mail offers to increase consumers credit limits and then charge them a fee if the offer is accepted.
How do I Stop Credit One Bank Harassment?
There are several things that you can do to stop Credit One Bank harassment. It depends on why they are harassing you. If you are not the person they are trying to reach, they may stop calling if you simply tell them who you are and that you either do not know the person they are trying to reach, or you do not have the current contact information for the person. If you do owe Credit One Bank money you can either attempt to make payment arrangements so that the debt is more manageable, or if you cannot pay the debt or do not wish to pay the debt, you can notify them in writing that you want them to stop attempting to collect the debt. Make sure to keep a copy of the letter for yourself and also send one to the Federal Trade Commission at 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20850. Once the bank receives the letter they are only permitted to contact you one more time in order to let you know that they received your letter, will stop contacting you, and what other action they intend to take, if any.
But what if the charges on your card are fraudulent and the harassment will not stop? Credit One Bank harassment, according to many of the complaints filed with the BBB includes its handling of fraudulent charges and even fraudulent accounts. If you have reported a fraudulent charge or account to Credit One Bank and the issue is not resolved, you should put the information in writing and mail a copy of your letter to the Federal Trade Commission at 6th and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20850. Your letter should include the dates and amounts of the fraudulent charges and why you believe the charge is fraudulent (it was unauthorized, the card was reported as lost or stolen, you paid for goods or services you never received, it was a double charge, etc.).
Credit One Bank may also be refusing to close your account and charging you monthly fees in order to keep it open. If this is the case, you should mail them a letter requesting that they close the account immediately and, as always, also send a copy to the Federal Trade Commission. In the end, you may need to consult with an FDCPA attorney to resolve your issues.
If you are experiencing Credit One Bank harassment, please contact our office at 1-800-219-3577, for a free, no obligation consultation.