I opened my credit card account almost 10 years ago with Providian then Wamu took over and Chase. I have NEVER been late on a payment and ALWAYS pay more than the minimum. Last month I went over my limit by $8 and received a $39 fee for it. I understand and made no fuss about paying it. Last week I received a letter advising me that my interest rate will be increased from 15% to an outrageous 30% in January. I called 3 different times and spoke with everyone I could about stopping the increase as it was a small error and I have always been a loyal client. All I got was thank you for being a great customer but there is nothing we can do. This is just plain wrong and can't believe the way they have handled my situation. I will NEVER deal with Chase again and will make sure to tell as many people as I can about this outrageous behavior. I will stick with Capitol One from now on as they have always been great to me even when I did make an error...

CHASE BANK SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!!!

In February 2009, Juniper/Barclays offered us a fixed rate of 8.99% on our current account. At the time we were offered this rate, I specifically asked them in the event that Juniper decides to make a change in their current APRs, are we going to be affected by this change even though we are tied on a fixed rate? Juniper reiterated and confirmed to us that since we are tied on a fixed rate for the life of the account, we will not be affected. Only those who are in variable rates will be subjected to any forthcoming changes. They also advised us that as long as we don't incur any late payments, our account will remain tied on the 8.99% fixed rate.

We received a letter today (August 31, 2009) from Juniper/Barclays stating that our new APR effective August 1st will be 14.99% variable. This is just outrageous and unfair. We have kept the account in good standing and was always paying more than the minimum amount required, and suddenly they slap us with this change. They are the ones who deserve to be slapped with a big Class Action Suit and be penalized for this unfair practice.

For being an good customer Lowe's Visa is doubling my APR because they made a business decision that they are Not going to offer my rate anymore 4.99 so I can opt out of the card or pay 9.99 .They put a little notice in one of my bill not highlighted so keep an eye on your credit cards bills and bank fees....

I received my bill in mail today and was totally shocked when I opened it and the monthly payment was over $800.00...I called stayed on hold forever spoke with a Nita (no help) spoke with her supervisor (Angie) no help from her or any good reasoning for the increase in my payment. I did tell her that in May 09 Chase wanted me to skip a payment to help with the economy and I did not I paid and know I'm being charged 5% because according to Angie the economy...I'm so stressed because I can not pay that and I'm a long time customer and excellent payment history. I also only used them to xfer balances with the extremely low FIXED rate...After reading the comments I think they only went after the good customers with the great Fixed rates...because my sister received a letter from Chase today about an Assistance Program for a debt release option for her card that have slow pays signed by Gordon Dennis...I called the number 1-866-654-0298 and was placed on hold for about 45 minutes until I disconnected the call. So I turned to the computer and CLark Howard website and I must admit I did receive some go information that I will be using...If we all (Balance Xfers and no late payment Chase consumers) do something about it maybe just maybe we will come out on top. If not add $16K to the charge off list for credit card debit because I absolutely can not pay $800.

I too am a loyal customer who has always paid more than the minimum ON TIME. Chase unethically changed my minimum from 2% to 5% on my card that I was using as debt consolidation only, no purchases. When I called to complain to a supervisor I was basically told "too bad". I was offered a higher interest rate to go back to the 2% minimum. I told them I would not give in to blackmail. So I copied and pasted all 37 pages of this web site's negative reviews of Chase and sent in to James Dimon, President and CEO. I got an email response from the cc dept apologizing for not living up to my customer servicing expectations. I emailed them back that Chase Bank and customer servicing was an OXYMORON. Chase is not servicing their customers but trying to put them in default. If they were servicing them, there wouldn't be 37 pages of negative comments on this web site alone. Then there is chase-sucks.com - hilarious!

Just thought Id give a word here!! Chase are IDIOTS!@! Everytime I call they keep me on hold for ever and when they do answer I get the 3rd degree on security questions then they can NEVER answer the EASIEST questions about ANY of my accounts, even when I ask for a manager. After Chase took over WAMU it got 99% worse. Im now transfering all my accounts to Wells Fargo. No more Chase IDIOTS!!!! And they also did close my credit card for no reason and gave me phone numbers that didnt work!! GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!

How can they get away with this? What should we do?

My Capital One went from 11.9% to 18.9% with perfect history in 8 years, HSBC went from 11.9% to 26.9% for NO REASON I called and of course they only wanted to sell me products and I still had 2k on balance. Then of course Chase sent me a letter saying my account was NOW CLOSED due to bad credit history from EXP. I work for EXP and my credit fico is 52 points higher than it was when I got the card and my balances are lower and the amount of cards are the same. So all items they say are the reason they shut my card down are LIES. WHY ARE THESE COMPANIES ALOWED TO DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been a member of Chase Bank since they took over my account from 1st USA a few years ago. I had borrowed some 3.99%, 4.99% & 6.99% money for debt consolidation and transportation from both of them over the years. Never made a late or missed a payment.
Now I get this 2 to 5% minimum payment increase that will equal $700 a month for me after August 1, 2009! I'm unemployed & get only $1200 a month, my rent & other debts I must pay before food equal $700+, so paying this is totally impossible. Do they want people to default & ruin their credit? I struggled to get & keep good credit for years, now they want to wipe that out with a slip of paper that wasn't even in an envelope or official stationary? This is extortion and financial terrorism!
I can pay the $280 a month I've been paying & believe in paying what I owe. Besides bankruptcy, debt reduction & default, I need an alternative to this nerve racking situation now, before the deadline August 1st. I am willing to pay, but cannot under these new terms. Everyone should stop paying them! At this stage they can go ahead & ruin my credit. I'll close my bank accounts, move & deal with cash from now on! Screw THEM! Some Obamanation this has turned into!

www.gslawny.com

I contacted the law firm handling the class action lawsuit against Chase for the fees, the minimum payment increase, and attempts to get out of honoring the fixed rate til paid off agreements with customers. They asked me for the backup data- the original offer (which I have) and the notice they sent (which I am still floored over -5% from 1.8% just like that). So, it may not come to anything, but it feels better to do something. The website is above and the paralegal will contact you to ask for your documentation to review for the case. Let's get 'em! Everybody sign up and send in your documentation. Let's sick the lawyers on Chase! At the very least having them nip at Chase's heels will aggravate their PR people as they try to put a spin on it.

I, too, just received notice of increase in minimum payment from 2% to 5%. Payments have never been late and have always been slightly more than the minimum. After being on hold for 30 minutes with the"Proactive Solution" desk, I was told there was nothing to be done.The representative even tried to blame the federal government! So, my payment will increase to over $500 monthly. This is a wake-up call for me to pay off all of my credit card debt ASAP. I don't won't Chase to get another cent of interest from me

Just to reiterate. I was paying 2% of my monthly balance. Now it's 5%! More than double!!

To Rich: I believe I have heard Clark state that it will negatively effect your credit rating unless you have a couple of other bank cards with an established history. It IS better if YOU close the account instead of the Bank closing it. The longer you have held a card, established a positive credit history, the better for your credit score.

"Fixed," as in fixed rate, has a very specific meaning. Yet, somehow, Chase has managed to redefine the term. They have just morphed my fixed rate credit card into a variable rate card.

I am not convinced that that is legal. I think Chase is just banking (no pun intended) on the fact that no one will fight. Yes, the Terms and Conditions allow Chase extraordinary leeway, but I cannot believe that their power is limitless. And altering the definition of a word is a mighty stretch.

This is a fight worth fighting. As futile as it might seem, I intend to notify my Congressman, my state's Attorney General, and anyone else who can take a stand against Chase and their disreputable and deceptive business practices.

I have only had my Chase card for 12 months or so. About 7 months ago, I was sent an offer for a 2.99% fixed rate for the "life of the loan." Well, as you can guess, it's now 22.99%. When I asked why, the rep told me "it's okay because they're doing it to everybody." Only way to keep the rate is to close the account, but it seems that isn't true, either. If they can change the rate after the account is closed, I don't see any point in closing it. This nicks my record. I'm going to file for debt management because I am seeing a pattern among ALL bailed out companies. Try to not close accounts, but write letters to the BBB. I'm hoping Obama will make this new bill retroactive somehow - they need to eat their crow pies.

My credit card is fixed and has always been fixed at 8%. today I got a letter giving me two weeks notice that my rate will be doubled or i can close my account. I have 5 star credit and have always made payments on time....is this how I am thanked for being responsible???? I am being forced out of their business.

Is there any legal protection???? FIXED IS FIXED!

I signed on to the computer this weekend to make a payment through the wamu site, realizing that the site is now chase, my alerts were not sent to pay the bill (even though both companies encourage "no paper"). When I signed into the new wamu/chase site to pay the bill, my account came up blank. I emailed tech support and 24 hours later they let me know the site was back up. Once I finally got in, I realized I was 4 days late. For these four days, my rate jumped from 8.99 to 29.99%!!!! Called the company and got 4 indian customer service reps reciting the same script over and over "I'm sorry Ma'am your account can be re-evaluated in 6 months, there is nothing we can do." I asked for each manager/supervisor and finally got an American who claimed to be a supervisor and he said the exact same thing! I said so what you are saying to me is that you don't want a customer with a 780 credit score who pays bills on time? and he said "I can see where you would get that idea" and I said well I simply cannot afford it. I can't pay this. And he said, I'm sorry and that was that. This kind of practice should not be legal. They are taking a person who has good credit and forcing them to either default or if they can, transfer the balance to another company. What kind of service is this? When the tide turns, and it will turn, I hope everyone remembers how Chase treats their customers!

Chase tried to pull a fast one on me. The tried to raise my rate up to almost 15% from 9.9. I tried calling the regular Chase number and they gave me the run arounds. I spoke to one person who told me I was not allowed to speak to a manager. I then did this and IT WORKED....... I called Rebecca Purdom at 1888-622-7547 ext. 6734. SHE IS THE EXECUTIVE MANAGER FOR CHASE!!!!!!!!!!!! She called me back and was great. She lowered my rate and it's all done..

I am facing the same delemma as Erik below-never late, never missed, paid more than minimum and just received a notice our card was going to prime plus 7.99%..out of the blue...their reasoning was that they are not making enough $$ off of me...If I don't agree to the terms they will close my acct. and the remaining balance will be @ the new rate of 11.24%..I'm beat either way...love the new Customer Appreciation Program they've implemented!!!

I have two accounts with Chase. I just spoke with them about the $10 a month service charge and they told me I have three options. 1) accept the $10 a month fee 2) accept the higher interest rate (3.99 to 7.99%). 3) Close the account and pay the balance due is 30 days. End of story. Getting rid of Chase and will never go back.

We had a WaMu credit card. As you know Chase is now the owner. We had a promo rate of 1.87% thru WaMu and Chase is honoring that rate for the specified time period. The interest rate on our prior balance is now 29.99%. I couldn't believe it! I called them and they told me they will not negotiate a lower rate. End of story!!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could tell Chase that we will not negotiate any of OUR tax dollars to go toward bailout money for them???? I feel very powerless at this point!

Saw someone else posted here about Fairwinds Credit Union when I was looking through Google for a place to post my complaint. 7.99% fixed rate for almost 20 years increased to 17.24% VARIABLE. I didn't think the credit unions were going to pull the same dirty tricks, boy was I wrong.

I continue to read these posts, and my situation is the same; makes me sick to my stomach. Just when I think that I can make progress towards paying off balances, these companies move the finish line. I really don't see how I will be able to survive without just not being able to pay. Clark, where are you on this? We are all being worse than abused, and I would hope that you could use your influence to help - will you take action???

I too am wondering if I should cancel or not. I always thought it was better for one's credit score to keep credit cards with a zero balance, rather than not having any at all, because your available credit/debt ratio would be perfect that way.

Then again, credit scores are already dropping I heard - even if you are in good standing.

Still can't get over the fact that our tax dollars have bailed out all these banks and kept them in business (for the time being). Yet, it's okay for them to do whatever they want, whenever they want. From rate jacking to cancelling cards. Tired of their excuses that it's "the economy" or they have a right to manage their "risk". Please don't post and say "just stop using your credit cards". That's not the issue, the issue is why are banks allowed to do this??? If they did the same thing at a gas station and said we are going to charge $10.00 a gallon, just because we can and every gas station went along with it, they same people posting "just stop using your cards", would be the same people writting their Congressman, Complaining how unfair it is. It's the same principle at work, other than they have paid off our lawmakers, while a number of ex-treasury appointees, managage to get a multi million dollar job at CitiCorp or Goldman-Sach.
What's wrong is wrong. It's just racketeering. They should all be in jail.

This is in reply to Joe's (2/27/09) comments about "Capitalism". Let me tell you "what's wrong" with a private company charging whatever they want to. The banking industry and for that matter the entire financial industry is no longer "private". Once they accepted bailout money (our tax money) to keep their "house of cards" standing" they lost any rights they had to just "rake us all further over the coals". The banking industry through all their lobby interests, have bought our Congress for years. We wouldn't of been in this mess without the banks, Chris Dodd and Barney Frank Remember Phil Grahm? Good old Phil convienently removed every safe guard we had in the financial industry. This was to take care of all his buddy's in banking. Just to use your example about what resturants charge, the difference is that it would be like a resturant showing one price on the menu for that bottled water and then when your credit card bill arrives, you find out that they actually billed it with all kinds of extra fees that you had no control over. When you complain, the resturant tells you it was right there in fine print on the back of the stall in the mens room.

I'm closing my account after 20 years. I refused to continue my great credit and payments with this company. It's time to go back anyway to cash and carry. Thanks Chase for helping me do what I should have done anyway!!!!!!

Even after paying off my balance My next statement still included the $10 fee and $16 in interest. After talking to customer no service I was told even after paying the $26 I would continue to be billed for $10 a month. So I canceled my account.v

I'm curious as to why people are so upset about private companies doing whatever they can to make a profit. That's what capitalism is about. They're not social service agencies. Do you complain to restaurants and convenient stores for charging too much money for soda or bottled water that costs pennies to make? Why are banks any different? At least we have credit unions which are not-for-profit cooperatives. So in their case, there is less interest in profiting off you.

My friend used an offer from Chase for a cash advance at 1.99% 3 years ago for a $10,000 roof purchase. Payments were never late and were always for more than the minimum payment. Debt was down to less than $2000. In Jan. Chase added a $10 per month fee in addition to the interest each month. Chase told this person they had selected certain accounts they no longer wanted. Client paid off account, then Chase told her they would continue to add the $10.00 charge as long as the account was open, regardless of whether she used the account, paid it off each month, or carried a balance. Client closed the account. Client has minimal debt, high income and an 880 FICO score. What is wrong with Chase???

"Do not bow down to the false God of credit". I don't care if the interest rates goes to 100%. As long as there's no membership fee, and by paying it off IN FULL every month generates no fee, or interest paid, I could care less.

Uh Oh ! Goodbye Chase. I don't need you . Go get some other sucker. I've got
a pocket full of empty credit cards that
would love my business.

card went from 7.99 to 21.99 percent despite excellent credit and payoff every month. Blood sucking vampires. Will never deal with these people again.

Chris: Since you feel that socialism
is the ideal system, why don't you join
Fidel, Hugo, or any of the other "commies" in their lands of paradise? Democrats are responsible for the current economical collapse; it
started with the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977.

Before anyone is allowed to vote, serve
in political office (especially Congress) or comment on anything involving the economy, they should be forced to read "Basic Economics" by Thomas Sowell. Add this book to your Marx/Lenin library, Chris.

There is another way the credit card companies are bringing in income; they are changing, moving up, your payment due date so you end up paying your bill late. This way you owe the late charge fees, etc. Watch your bills very closely right now. Keep an eye on the due date. They may move it up 5 days one month and then another 5 days the next. From what I understand they are giving from 30 days to 20 in a lot of cases. It's amazing how these guys look for ways to take advantage and rip people off. The lesson from all of these postings is to WATCH your bills, read all the fine lines each month and read the info sent in the mail to you. I've been bombarded by mail from Chase and tried to read through it and understand it all. I think I better go back and make sure I didn't miss anything.

What is legal is not what is always right. A few do not understand it.

There was a short piece on NPR today that asked why banks are still charging high fees for overdrafts, balance transfers, etc. One of the "experts" said: because they can... plus the fees are a sure sure of income now that their mortgage & investment profits have gone down the drain. Prediction: They'll suck up as much of your money as you allow them to.
As for those who post here saying, in effect, "You're all victims of your own greed - suck it up", there are millions of people out of work now who were trying to make it on minimum wage before they got laid off. Now they've got barely enough money coming in to pay the rent, much less utilities, etc. - and don't get me started on horrendous medical insurance payments - they might have no recourse except to use credit cards to get by until they find another job(s).
I've been there.

The problem with credit cards comes when people use them for credit. With credit, you have to pay interest--whatever interest the bank demands. The Bible says, "The borrower is servant of the lender" and that is correct. The smart way to use a credit card is to get one with rewards and no membership fee, and only use it to buy things that you can pay off when the bill comes. Then you get your rewards or cash back, and you don't have to care what the interest rate is because you never pay it. I know it is an outdated concept, but people ought to learn to WAIT for things until they are able to pay for them, and to save up enough money so that they can handle an emergency without having to borrow on a credit card. But people aren't willing to do that. They want everything now, and that is the problem.

Simply do what I did. All my credit cards we cut up and now I use only debit cards. Pay as you go. Simple as all that. And it feels good, too.

I see some of you have Capital One that raised rates? I have Citi Card that just went from 6.99 to 24.99. However I can opt out and go back to the 6.99 but then when my card expires the account will close....duh, let me think about it a minute. Maybe I'd rather keep my card and pay 25%??? NOT

I was just thinking...if we all do indeed return to "pay-as-you-go" lifestyles (which won't happen in a million years, but one can hope), we can stop this dependence on the banks and greedy corporations, AND kill the credit reporting agency business as well. Imagine...no more Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian, no more stressing over what can raise and lower credit scores...which determine the types of rates we get.

Sure, we may lose some perks of those cards, but there are other cards that give "rewards" like the PayPal debit card. I use that one all the time since going "pay-as-you-go" last year in January. I hate these crooks, and the only way that we can do something about this mess is to all unite and fight back as a people. If we united to pick this President which cost us nothing, surely we can unite to shut down these crooked institutions, which are costing us EVERYTHING.

Why should we pay taxes just to support privately held companies? That is what you are saying, Chris. The problems are from greedy politicians in bed with greedy businessmen. Washington needs a good power washing to scrub it clean and remove the filth we have up there making laws. I am hopeful that the American citizens who do the right thing and are punished for it (as evidenced by this Chase fiasco)rise up their voices and their votes and let these bozos know who really is in charge.
Socialism and nationalization is not the answer. A free American citizenry with full control of their own money and choices is the right answer!! Honestly, Chris, (you said you were honest)do you eventually want the government to tell you how much of YOUR OWN MONEY you are allowed to keep and do you want "President Pelosi" and "President associate Obama" to tell you that you have to give to a complete stranger before you can claim your hard earned money for yourself and your family (socialism -- spreading the wealth -- affects those mostly who pay their bills and get no continuing government assistance)? It is coming to that quickly. You can agree to government control of YOUR OWN paycheck, but don't think you speak for the rest of us.

be ware credit unions are also charging excesive fees to their members also they are incresing intrests rates on their credit cards I had a 3% c.c. and it went to 13.9% and today I recieved a letter that on 3/9/09 the rate is going to be 18.0%. you can only do 6 transactions on line per mo. and if you need to cover an item and you reached the 6 on that mo you have to go to the branch to move the money around if you don't make it and the item comes in it will be return and a charge of 30.00 for odf for every time it hits your account. if you have a mo. payment for a loan with them and for whatever reason you are late making that loan payment they will frezee you personal account till you pay so beware of credit unions they are addapting the same rules and fees as banks. lou/FL . soon to be an ex credit union member

Do what I did, move everything to a local Credit union, these preditors should be Nationalized, asap!

I was so annoyed with them I paid off the card. The fact that they are even allowed to alter the agreement for fixed APR's is disgusting. If it's legal then the law should be changed. I will NEVER use Chase again and I am also spreading the word with friends and co-workers. I could afford to pay off my balance so I am lucky. I feel for people who have no choice but to succumb to Chase's pathetic tactics to raise revenue. I hope more people can pay off their card and never use them again. These company's deserve to go under, not be "saved".

What Chase is doing is illegal. It added a finance charge (as they themselves call it) which effectively changes the APR. "Breach of Contract". They are continuing to offer low rates for life of loan, with no mention of payment terms or charges. This is "Fraudulent Misrepresentation". Since January, six class action suits have been launched against Chase, with others pending. Dont bother writing anyone in the government or banking industry, since they are working together. Dont use Chase, dont let your friends, families, employees or employers use any Chase product. Chase has crossed close to a million cardholders, but neglected to take into account their contacts and long term ramifications. The company that takes their customers for granted is only around for the short term.



What Chase has done with the $10.00 fee is indeed illegal. Chase itself on its statements calls it a "finance charge", thus increasing its APR as agreed. This is Breach of Contract. As well, Chase continues with its low rate offer so it can lure others into the scam. This is fraudulent misrepresentation. There have been six class action suites filed against Chase since January, and more pending. Dont bother writing them, or any government institution. The government works hand in hand with the banks, and will back whatever they do.
By the way, there was no opt out provision. Lets hope the courts do something. Once I pay off Chase, after 14 years, I will never deal with them again. I urge everyone to drop any Chase cards they, their family, friends and employees use. Thats the only way.

One of the best things ever to happen to our family was to lose a business. The loss taught us to never borrow again. We now live debt-free, using Debit cards for online purchases and paying cash for everything. We also learned to live on half our income. What a joy to know that our children learned from our mistakes and live debt-free also. And to watch the nation cringing before this recession while we continue to be careful with our money. The only problem is, we are ending up paying, through our national debt, for the bad money choices of others -the only down side.

another reason not to have credit cards. My life has been so much easier and less stressful since canceling all our cards 3 years ago and paying CASH for everything.

I too am a victim of this scam. I received a letter from them last week stating my "fixed" rate is increasing from 9.99% to 22.99%. That is not a typo, they increased it to 22.99%. I have always paid on time and usually pay off at end of month but if I needed to carry a balance I wouldnt want to do it at 22.99%. What a ripoff.

Pay your credit card bill in total each month, and it won't matter if the credit card company you are using raises its interest rates. A business has the right to charge more for the service and you have the right not to rely on credit to make purchases that than you cannot afford. If you choose to overspend, you will likely have to pay the consequences. It seems pretty simple.

My New Year's resolution was to pay off all my credit cards and then only use my Chase account when necessary. Then I received a notice stating they were changing my 8.99 fixed rate to a 12.99 variable rate. I called and the unconcerned woman I spoke with said "it's the state of the economy". I told her it's a shame Chase has no respect for their customers that have always paid on time and paid more than the minimum. I pay $200 each month which is well over the minimum. I informed her I didn't need their account that bad and to close it. The next good balance transfer offer I get I will transfer the balance so Chase will not get any more money from me than necessary.

I too am a victim of Chase scam. I am so angry about this, & there is nothing we can do about it. Never been late, always sent more than minimum payment. Had to use this credit card to basically live on as my Husband is self employed, in the construction Business has not had work in 4 months. So our balance was high, 375.00 a month but we paid it, then this month we get a bill for $913.00 a month, WHO can pay that? I called them & explained to them our situation they could care less. I had to transfer the balance, & pay about $550.00 transfer fee. I am going to Cancel my account And never ever deal with Chase again. SHAME ON THEM, for doing this to so many people especially at a time like this. They were the ones who got the bail out. Good luck to everyone else who got burnt.

Got one of those internet chain emails talking about how everyone should just stop paying their credit card bills starting May 1st and frankly it's sounding better and better. Chase raised my rates and slashed my line which put me over limit and then charged me an over limit fee. All this for a customer who has never made a late payment and pays more than the minimum. The reason noted on the notice..."to maintain profitability on your account" aka we were a risky lender and so to make up the money, we're going after our good customers.

We received a notice about our Chase card rate increasing by 5%, and called the number on back of the card. As far as I can tell, after asking for a supervisor that spoke English, they are not concerned that they are losing good customers. She immediately said I could close my account and keep the old interest rate, which I did. I will either pay off the balance or transfer to another low interest account. We, as American taxpayers, have been royally screwed once again! Our out of touch congress just passes out our money without any control, and we suffer the consequences. I cannot believe that after receiving bailout money meant to help the Amercian consumers, they are allowed to get away with this sort of underhanded business.

Listen. It would not be wise to close the CHASE acct. Particularly if you have a large credit limit. If you always paid on time, closing would affect your credit score. Use the card only when necessary (if possible). This credit mess will pass eventually. Look at the big picture...Your credit score it determines the amount rates for future credit, placement for employment. I'm 64yrs old. I've done well with my finances thus far. "But for the grace of God, there go I". Take Care. Be Strong. We all are in this together.

Chase began sending me Change in Terms notices about a year ago. They wanted to change my fixed rate of 6.99% to an adjustable rate that was 10.99% at the time. I chose to opt out and close the account to keep my low interest rate. Even though my account is closed, they continue to send me Change in Terms notices to raise my interest rate. I just keep sending a letter back saying that I am opting out.

I too was caught by Chase's greedy ploy to raise a 3.99% fixed APR to 7.99%, or be forced to pay $10 per month in return for absolutely nothing! Since my balance was fairly small and I've had the account for many years, I opted to go against Clark's advice and take the higher rate, so as not to close my acount and risk taking a drop in my 780 credit score. I'll pay off the balance faster than planned and then never give Chase another stinkin' dollar!

If its at all possible, make lifestyle changes and rob them of their power. I went on the "ramen" diet five years ago and today I am debt free.

If we didn't care about our credit rating, we should all ban together and tell Chase that because of their greed they don't get anything from us. Maybe that would wake someone up. Never in my life have I been punished for doing the right thing so many times in a one year stretch. It's really getting old. I also got a letter in the mail that Capital 1 is also doing something similar to the fixed rate deals that they made with consumers. It burns me that this is legal.

I was never in formed of our 2% min. payment going up to 5%. I have always sent in more than the min. payment, but this month when I rec'd my bill my paymet had gone up from $35 to $87 with no notice of change. So the $50 we always send in was not enough and it showed we still owed $37 dollars so they gave us a $39 late fee charge. Not only that but I noticed a $10 charge on purchases ... I had not made any purchases. I called Chase and told them I had not rec'd any information informing me of any changes in our terms with them. I was told they had sent out information....I don't know where they sent it because we never rec'd anything. They wouldn't remove the late charge as a courtesy to good customer who is never late with a payment and always sends in more then min. I also was upset on the $10 finance charge. It's bad enough imposing that on their customer, but than to put it under purchases so you have to pay interest on it is beyond crapy. I said you got bail out money, so why are you screwing the people who are in the end are the ones your getting the money from. They have no heart and they will reap what they sew. I am another one who will pay them off as soon as possible and will never do business with them again. Citi Bank will be another one. After that I will not buy anything if I can't pay cash. Because I don't need it that bad to ever get screwed again.

I had to call my local newspaper about my bill. I just found out their CSR is in Manila. I had a hell of a time getting through to someone in the U.S.
I was asked if I wanted to re-start the newspaper. I said I would think about it, but I decided to wait until they bring the CSR department back to the U.S.

I had to call CapitalOne about my car loan. I found out I was talking to someone in India. I asked to be transferred back to the United States, and then I had a hell of a time trying to get to an American CSR. Don't you just love it to fine someone on the other half of the world knows more about you than you do?

Don't EVER try to deal with the people that call you when your card is late. They are with COLLECTIONS and have no heart and are paid accordingly. Pay the minimum that will get you out of hot water. Wait a few days for the credit to be applied THEN call the NORMAL number on the back of the card -- calling while your account is behind will ALWAYS get you to COLLECTIONS, btw. THEN and only THEN should you start to make your case on how you have been a loyal customer, how the X (put in your case here) caused you to be behind and could they, this time, help by crediting your account. This works at most two times so don't abuse it.

My parents are in their 60’s and have had their Chase card for a long time. They had an interest rate of 4.99% with their payments only being $35.00/month. They were sending in $50.00/month and had never missed a payment. Well last month they made their regular payment only to get their bill this month and find out they were supposed to pay more. Their monthly payment had gone from $35.00 to $87.00 and they were hit with late fees and finance charges. They had failed to notice this because they had always paid more than what was due and it was always the same amount due for a very long time. I had called Chase on their behalf and even spoke with a supervisor. She stated that Chase had sent out notices of changes of percent owed/month to its customers. I had stated that they did not recall get any notification. They also had not made any purchases since this had gone into effect. I asked her if there was anyway to resolve this matter. She stated they could either pay $87.00/ month with an interest rate of 4.99% or keep the payments at $35.00/month with an interest rate of 7.99%. I once again reminded her that they have always made their payments and even paid extra but $87.00 would really make it hard for them to keep their heads above water and the 7.99% interest rate would also take more money out of their pocket. This was not the agreement when they became loyal customers. I even asked if she could please remove the fee this one time due to their payment history. She told me no, no to even removing the fees just one time. I then asked, knowing the answer, if they had received any of the bailout money. She stated yes, but only because they were forced. I said well you took it and it was intended to help your customers and this is how you help your customers. She really didn’t have anything more to say. We have contacted an attorney for advice and are filing a complaint with the attorney general. We are going to file complaints with anyone we can. I am paying off this card. I also plan on sharing my parents story with anyone who will listen.

I received one of the letters that informed me they were raising my interest rate. I called to protest but was basicly told to take it or leave it. I sent an e-mail to the chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Chase (Jamie Dimon, jamie.dimon@jpmchase.com & jamie.dimon@chase.com ) The next day I received a very nice phone call from his executive assistant. She agreed to let me keep the original terms of my card and only apply the higher rate to any new purchases. Sometimes the squeky wheel gets the grease.

Chase accept TARP funds and is now closing their Columbus OH CC Service Center and sending the jobs overseas.

What a slap in the face to America!

Chase did this to us, exactly as you reported. We switched the balance to 0% for one year at Wachovia, $99 balance transfer fee. We wrote to the Office of the Currency and we fired Chase. We are so disheartened that they took our bailout money and then treated us that way. Where is the America I knew? Thanks for all you do, Clark.

I called Chase last week and asked to close the account and remain under the old terms. I was told I couldn't that it wouldn't change anything. After, speaking with them today based on this information, I was offered two alternatives: close the account and pay the full balance within 30 days or close the account and pay the full balance within one year at 7.99%. My current effective APR is 5.22% due to balance transfer offers as recently as Oct. 08. Our balance is over $19,000 because we transferred our second mortgage onto low interest offers that Chase sent us for the life of the balance all because the Washington Mutual Mortgage company told us we could work out a deal to quick deed our property to them and avoid foreclosure if they were the sole mortgagee. They lied. They refused to speak with us after we cleared the second mortgage then they foreclosed 45 days later. These mortgage and banking laws MUST be changed to allow some contractual rights for the borrowers! Now, we have no savings, no home, and no options to deal with this debt that we accepted in good faith with two companies that have treated us unethically.

Chase is currently risk re-pricing the WAMU credit cards they acquired. Essentially I was told it was a business decision and I could accept it or ‘opt out’. I was told that I was repriced due to the amount of credit I am using vs the amount I have available with other providers and my balances on my current cards.

This sounds a lot like the first cousin to Universal Default; you can be penalized because of your contract with other providers. Also it appears that Chase/WAMU has a proprietary methodology for reviewing accounts. Unfortunately unless it is disclosed what will trigger a repricing evaluation; how will you ever know what the true cost of your credit will be?

They are changing the terms, so walk with your feet.

Live without credit cards. Many have done it for years. Join it.

When banks get many from the government does not mean they should loan money to everyone and lower all our rates.....if they do, they will be back for more.

About ten years ago, I decided to get out of debt--more specifically credit card debt. And from that day on, my life changed. If people only understood how empowering it is to be debt-free, they would never ever carry a credit card balance. I retired about two years ago and have been living on 40% of my pension, and I haven't felt deprived one bit. Americans need to STOP spending money that they DON'T have. What a concept.

Same thing happened to me. I was not happy, so I submitted a complaint to the FTC. I will pay off the balance and never to use the Chase card again. This is really pathetic for Chase to do this.

Chase is pathetic! I have had the same account for 15 years and now they raise my APR by 4%? I sent the letter saying to close my account!