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National City Bank Complaint - I Just Don't Understand Their Way Of Doing Business - Credit Card

Credit Card - Complaint
Review by DebtorBasher on 2009-07-20
I just got off the phone with NCB regarding my Parent's credit card. The representative went through all the basics of who am I, what relation am I to the card holders...yak, yak, yak. Being in the business myself, I understand 3rd party disclosure and all, so I have no problem answering their questions. She wanted to know if my Mom was there to give them permission to speak with me. I told her, my Mom passed away and I have been handling all of her and my Dad's finances since December, making all the payments etc. She asked me to put my Dad on the phone, well he was laying down and I didn't want to wake him to come to the phone. So, she said she was limited to what information she can give to me, but can answer general questions. Ok...again, I understand that, no problem. I told her the reason I'm calling is for a copy of the credit card agreement/terms in which my Mom agreed to when the account was opened. (She had this account for over 20 years and was never late on any of her payments). I explained that I needed to know if there are any penalties if the account is paid down, leaving NO balance (Some banks charge if you don't carry a certain balance) or, if the account would be closed if it is inactive for a certain amount of time. Her answer was, "I don't think so", "Not usually" and "Not always" well, those answers were not good enough...I want to know for sure. So, she said she can send me a copy of the agreement. I said, that would be good...that's what I wanted. Then, she said again, that I had to have my Dad come to the phone to request it because they can't send it to me. I told her, it can be sent directly TO my DAD at the address they have on the account (we live at the same place)...and she said she can't do that. I asked, why not, It's not as if I'm asking her to send to to another name at another address...but she refused and said she can't send it without HIM requesting it! I told her she didn't have any problem accepting the payments from ME since December, including the $1000.00 payment I just sent out last month and hung up on her.

Now, again...I can understand if I asked her to send it to someone OTHER than my Dad at an address OTHER than my Dad's address...but come on NCB...Like it or not it's ME you have to deal with if you want this paid...I asked you to send the agreement that my DAD signed for TO my Dad at my DAD'S address! This is the only credit card they have, and I've been paying the balance down for them...I hate credit cards...I HATE THEM!
Comments:
Posted by skelly39 on 2009-07-20:
I'm sorry about your mom. While I would normally agree with the rep that she can't disclose anything to anyone who is not on the account, I don't see a problem with them mailing something to your father. Ask for a supervisor.
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2009-07-20:
Exactly, and like I said, being in the collection business and dealing with credit cards...I understand the 3rd party disclosure and all, so I didn't have a problem answering her questions...but to request something to be sent TO the card holder at their address? That just doesn't make sense to me. I guess my next step will be to send them a copy of the POA I have for my Dad...that SHOULD clear up any problems in the future.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2009-07-20:
Skelly, that's a pretty common avenue of fraud. Call and ask for some info on an account, then intercept the mail. I understand fully why they wouldn't do it. The poor folks who answer the phones have it drilled into them that they cannot divulge any kind of information, they just aren't allowed to make exceptions or decisions on what might be legitimate.
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2009-07-20:
I can see that happening Ken, but what would stop someone from intercepting it even if he got on the phone and requested it?
Posted by Wally86 on 2009-07-20:
DB, you should of asked to speak with a supervisor.
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2009-07-20:
Yeah, I know....I just get aggravated with people anymore.
Posted by Stew on 2009-07-20:
Basher, Have you thought about creating a living trust for your father or having your father grant you power of attorney.

I went through having to handle the affairs for my mother and another elderly family member. In both cases I was the trustee for their trust which gave me absolute authority in their business affairs. If a trust isn't in order then you should definitely get power of attorney. Look into it.. it will save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2009-07-20:
Thanks Crabby...I did get POA about a month ago for my Dad. I'll have to start sending copies out to these places.
Posted by yoke on 2009-07-20:
Db, sorry about your mom. When dad died we sent POA's to his creditors and had no problem. I understand why they did what they did, but even talking to your dad does not mean he was your dad, but for some reason that was going to be good enough for them.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2009-07-20:
DB, if someone intercepted a normal mailing, they have no control over it, but if someone requests a special mailing and it turns out to be fraudulent, they would have liability.
Posted by knowitall2 on 2009-07-20:
Don't the terms change on credit cards through the years? I know mine do. I can check the current terms of my account right on-line. If I don't agree to the terms, they give me the option of cancelling my card, otherwise the new terms take effect. Isn't that the way all credit cards work? Anyway, my point is, can you access her account on-line to see what the terms are?
Posted by DebtorBasher on 2009-07-20:
Thanks Ken, that's probably is the reason...but people STILL aggravate me...guess they're just doing their jobs.

KIA, she never had online access to any accounts, she never liked computers or anything...she was old school, kept track of everything with a pen, and notebook...gotta say, her system never went down or was stopped in it's tracks by a virus! Bless her soul! I may be able to set it up online now though.
Posted by TheNewSheriff on 2009-07-20:
VH
Posted by BokiBean on 2009-07-20:
And DB rocks again! I'm like you...if you sent them a check, they'd be more than happy to take it, but woe be it if you need something from them. VH, as usual.
Posted by knowitall2 on 2009-07-21:
Yeah, DB, that's what I was thinking. If you can set it up on-line, then you won't have to hassle with the calls and 30 questions. I went through this with my mother's insurance and it wasn't easy until I put the POA through. On-line would have been much easier.
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-07-22:
(VH)

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