Capital One Credit Cards Consumer Reviews - Page 6

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE -- Yep, you read right. Capital One turned my deceased mother's unpaid balance over to a "deceased account collection agency" called "Estate Information Services LLC". My beloved mother passed away very suddenly on September 9th, 2008. She left three daughters in shock and all three of us were beyond devastated. Not only was our mother taken suddenly without sickness or warning, she left no will and a life insurance policy that was only 6 months old. Needless to say they paid next to nothing on her funeral.

My mother had nothing, a mortgage on her house with liens for repairs. No savings to speak of and only a small retirement check which stopped upon my reporting her death to social security and Medicare. I tried to inform everyone as soon as possible. I sent certified death certificates to her creditors as her bills came in, closing accounts and turning off services, etc. Being retired and far from well off, she had few bills other than her monthly necessities. BUT...

She did have a Capital One Card. Oh My Gosh! I have seen vultures waiting on and descending down on a poor unfortunate animal to begin their feast and that is exactly what comes to mind in this case. The letter starts with what a "difficult time this is for the family" but demanding that their office be contacted with "estate information" and letting me know that if the balance is paid right away they won't file a claim on my deceased mother's estate. (I consider this a soft threat.)

Years ago I had a difficult time getting rid of these people myself. I was never as glad to get away from a company as I was Capital One. But BEWARE these people. They put vultures to shame! But to send my dead mother's account to a friggin collection agency for their deceased customers? They collect enough with their phoney late fees and "no annual fee" fees!!! Don't deal with these people. They are not human.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- In April, I took a business trip abroad. The hotel charged me approximately $322 which was accurate and showed up on my April statement. A month later, I received the May statement, and found another charge from the hotel for $323 (there was a $1 difference since the exchange rate was different at the time of the second charge).

Apparently, the hotel either accidentally charged or intentionally charged me again in May for my stay in April which they already charged. This was quite obvious from looking at my statement. When I called in June (when I received the May statement), they suspended the second charge and said they would investigate it. A few weeks later, I received a letter stating that the hotel sent them proof of my stay and they were allowing the charge to go through.

I called again as I was irate that the credit card company was idiotic enough to not see this. The hotel sent them a receipt for my stay in April but had nothing about a stay in May because I never stayed there in May. The representative in their disputes department said I should have sent something in writing to explain this. I told her I initially called when I found this out and explained this to Capital One, and have just explained it to her as well. She told me that she is disconnecting and will not help me... Click.

I couldn't believe that this besides the fact they allowed this $323 charge to go through which was clearly incorrect, they were hanging up on me and not wanting to help the me (the customer). I realized mistakes can happen, but apparently Capital One doesn't care about fixing them. They only care about charging you fees and collecting their money, even if it's not a valid charge. I will be closing this account soon, as I do not want to be subject to such poor service, nor do I have the time or energy to work with a company who doesn't even care about their own customers. Stay away from Capital One.

FENTON, MICHIGAN -- Just had an interesting conversation with Capital One as for the second month in a row, I paid off my credit card, and was told it would take 10 days for the payment to clear (I did the payment online with an electronic fund transfer through my bank). After talking to a customer service agent, two supervisors, and finally someone in the department that posts the payments, here's what I'm told.

First, if you make multiple payments in a month, that puts a hold on your account. (I travel weekly and receive my expense money reimbursement weekly, so I tend to pay off the charges on my account weekly.) The hold on the payment is 10 days. So, if you do an EFT, they'll have the money in a couple of days, but won't release the credit in your account for the 10-day hold.

Second, if you pay one-half of your credit line in a payment, it's put on hold for 10 days! So, if your credit line is $1000 and you pay $1000, 10-day hold! Third, they claim (at least one supervisor did) this was for money laundering purposes, even though their system won't allow you to pay more than 10% of what you owe, they claim people launder money this way.

Ultimately, I was told money has a better chance of clearing my account faster if I write a check and mail it in...it'll still be several day process but probably shorter than 10 days if I make an EFT. So, they'd prefer handling money rather than getting an EFT from somebody that makes their payments on time and doesn't bounce payments? I told them I felt this was Capital One's attempt to deter people from paying off their credit card, but they couldn't see this (of course)! I can understand a 2-3 day hold to make sure the EFT clears...but 10 days? Give me a break! I'm disappointed...I'll tell you what's not in my wallet, Capital One!

ARIZONA -- With all the talk of BoA raising the rates, I have the exact same story with Capital One. I had a spike (approx 6,500) in my card during Aug/Sept due to a family emergency, at which time (coincidental?) they raised me from 9.9 to over 15%. I have had the card close to 10 years, no late payments, etc.... When I called, the rep said a letter was sent the month prior.

Funny, I've 'paper-opted' out. I asked him what they have seen on my credit report to raise the rates. He had nothing negative at all to report on my account. He even said I was an ideal customer. I transferred to a 'manager' after 20-minute wait. He gave me same song and dance. I asked to transfer to his supervisor. After 25 minutes I hung up. I then went back and re-read the terms whereby it states if you have ANY auto-bills, ie Easy Pass, etc....and one comes through that you forgot to change to another card, once that charge is received, Capital one will reopen the card - almost unbeknown. Whether you like it or not.

This card has a $20,000 limit, ironically only 3,000 cash allowed. I was fortunate enough to have the funds and paid off the balance immediately. So I then went to open a new Capital One card, online, and got approved within 2 minutes for 7.99% intro until (I believe Sept 08) with a $20,000 line. Ironically, when I got the card in the mail, NOWHERE in all that paperwork they send were the interest terms/conditions stated.

I personally do not believe in having $40,000 accessible on the cards so I called and requested the line to be capped at $10,000 and where the heck were the interest t/c. Rep said she would be 'happy' to send the written interest t/c (have yet to received them!) and sorry, can't do anything with the line, you have too many privileges on the card. WTH? (I did not request $20,000-they gave). Asked for supervisor. Again, sorry, can't help you. There is nothing I can about the limit. I told her to close the account.

It is a complete shame that the law abiding, bill paying citizens are ultimately paying the bill for the mortgage fall out. Complete shame. So card holders beware! and watch your cards. I'm off to open a card with my 'little' local bank.

CALIFORNIA -- After receiving notice that Capital One intended to double my interest rate - despite NEVER missing or being late with a payment in over 5 years - I opted to cancel the card. This "froze" the balance at the current interest rate. After I collected enough funds to pay the card in full the real problems began. Basically, they won't let you truly close out this card. This is a big issue for credit, as an open card on your credit score, even if it's at zero balance, is a negative hit against your score.

I suspect they like to keep you on the hook so they can tell investors they have more customers than they do and to try to get you to re-use and thus re-open that card at the new, higher, interest rate. So they said they require a zero balance for 30 days for the card to truly be closed but each time I paid it in full another unexpected, but TINY, charge appears, thus re-starting the 30 day period. I am now several hours into discussing this problem, over the course of many months and multiple phone calls. First it's almost impossible to get through the phone system to a real person.

Then that person isn't in this country and only knows how to parrot what you say and repeat that they "know how you feel." If you're transferred to a supervisor you have a great chance of being treated rudely. Told it's too bad, told the "system" can't do anything about it or flat out lied to. I've twice asked for the complete and total amount needed to pay it off in full, and done so that very moment, asking in exchange for a letter stating the account is closed. Both times I instead received a letter saying it would be another 60 days. I literally am backsliding - it was 30 days to get the thing closed, now it's 60? I recommend you steer clear of this card.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA -- I opened my statement to find that I went from 9% to 27%. When I called, I was told it was because I was late twice in 1 year. Unfortunately, they could not tell me the details, only the alleged months I was late. Long story short, they said "too bad, so sad". After pulling my account details, I called back and asked for another supervisor. I showed that I had indeed paid the most recent statement in question. (I am still waiting for them to tell me what the other month in question was, I had to request the details from them.They could not give me the information by phone, as 7 months ago is apparently too long for them.)

Luckily, the second person was much more helpful. (Always ask for the supervisor's boss, it will save you much heartache.) Turns out, I paid $13 less than what I should have in Nov. My mistake, I use web bill pay and did not check to find the increase. For $13, they took me to 27%. I have a high 7's credit score and I pay EARLY every month. Yikes. On this second call, I was able to have the rate pulled back to 12.99, which is better than 27%, but nowhere near what I am offered WEEKLY by every other credit joint in town. So, I am closing my Cap One account forever.

PS, when they "adjust" your rate back, they give you the disclaimer that it is only for the next 2 bill cycles, and that it will then "adjust" according to LIBOR. I honestly feel bad for anyone in real financial trouble, because this company will take you on a long ride to finance hell. Also, I found out that if you pay "too early" in the cycle, they will record the payment to the wrong cycle and you can show up as a late or non pay. This has happened to me twice before, and heaven help you if you are explaining it to some of the more "entry level" supervisors. This is why I need to remember to just keep banking with my credit unions ONLY!!! Better service, way better rates!!

I have had one of the most frustrating experiences with Capital One. Please respond and make this stop. Since I have been collecting the data, these are the times you have called my 11 years old cell phone and I have asked you to stop. Please note these were the times you contacted their cell phone from your phone number 800 955-6600: Oct. 6 at 9:11 am, Oct. 11 at 7:55 pm, Oct 12 at 5:07 pm, Oct 13 at 12:18 pm, Oct. 14 at 5:22 pm, Oct. 15 at 1:10 pm, Oct. 16 at 2:33 PM, Oct. 17 at 10:09 am, Oct. 18 at 5:42 pm, Oct. 20 at 10:27 am, Oct. 21 at 9:55 am, Oct 22 at 2:40 pm, Oct. 23 at 8:45 am, Oct. 24 at 2:28 pm.

I contacted you on Saturday Oct. 6 and asked that these calls stop. You are calling an 11 year old child and no one in our house has a Capital One acct. I was assured they would stop in 48 hours. They did not. Since then I received more and more calls. See the dates above. I called again on Oct. 11 and asked that they stop calling this phone number. Jeff asked me for the phone number which I supplied and then I asked Jeff why you are calling me. He said “it is confidential and I cannot tell you”. Needless to say this caused me to become extremely upset.

He assured me the calls would stop within 48 hours, however I called 800 955-7070 and spoke to Rimma who assured me it would be removed. Today we received yet another call! I filed a report with the FCC ** and asked them to intervene. I have never had so much trouble trying to contact Capital One directly. I will continue to document the amount of harassment calls we are receiving. As well as continue to update the filing with the FCC. I have now tried to call you and get these to stop and have been on hold for over 15 minutes.

This is not the first time that I have been on hold this long. What do I need to do to get you to stop calling me. After 17 minutes I was told the wait time for a supervisor is 1/2 to one hour. So I guess I am not the only one irritated. Please contact me immediately!

NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- If you are thinking of applying for a credit card, DO NOT apply for CapitalOne no matter how much aggressive marketing junk they mail you (and they outperform any other marketer out there bar a HUGE margin!!) Every time I open my mailbox, there's an “invitation to subscribe to their wonderful card”. Not to mention all the marketing campaign on TV, any channel you turn. How could they only afford it?? The answer is by charging YOU all kind of fees and rates they could possibly sneak into your bill. How else?

The truth is it just doesn't go beyond marketing with them. And completely opposite to what their commercial tells you on TV, the service is terrible, and every representative is trained to be completely indifferent towards your personal and financial needs or to the situation you are presenting. They are only there to extract money out of you!!! They are that “other card” they are painting in their commercials.

When I was “hooked”, I had no idea there was an annual fee (but they are experts about sneaking in all these little fees you have no idea about). Anyway, there it was, on my bill, a year later. So, I let it slide, thinking I would close the card within a year. Another time, I overcharged my limit by $7.50! They charged me $29.00 overlimit fee. So, I called their customer service, and said I didn't know that the card would let me charge over the limit (of course, it would! JUST TO CHARGE YOU THAT EXTRA FEE!!).

I remember a similar story with a Chase Manhattan Card, and after I called them they immediately waived the fee and set up a protection against overdrawing. CapitalOne refused to waive any fees and gladly closed the account (they already made enough money on me!!). One more point, they increase the interest rates without you even knowing it, but that overlimit fee was a last drop for me. So, I closed the card immediately and I will never open one with CapitalOne again!!!

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND -- While my wife and I were in another state from 12/20/06 until 12/30/06 one of my credit cards was used multiple times by unauthorized individual(s) for a total sum of $727.01. I had apparently left it near my computer, as I manage all my accounts online. I found out that a party was held, by a live in close relative, contrary to my specific instructions that there was to be no one invited in until we returned home. Two credit cards were apparently taken from their storage place.

Our relative totally denies any knowledge nor participation in what I think is credit card fraud, and knows of none of the party guests who have any knowledge. In eight days charges of $27.01, $100.00, $200.00, $200.00, $100.00 and $100.00 were fraudulently charged, at six different gas stations with the stolen card for a total of $721.01.

Upon returning home, and checking my bills, I discovered these unauthorized uses, and immediately called Capital One to report same. After six or so months, dealing with their fraud unit, and visiting all outlets where my card was used, my help to them was deemed nil, seeing that all outlets say that their surveillance tapes are only on a 24 hour loop, and would not help me.

Capital One now maintains that because the card was stolen from my home when a relative was there, they do not consider it a fraud issue. They call it a domestic issue, and charged back to me the total of $721.01. I contend that the only thing domestic about it is that it was stolen from my domicile. So much for their much advertised fraud guarantee protection. Just a matter of who gets to determine the definition of the word fraud. Bottom line... I'm being charged $721.01 by a company whose advertising promises I believed.

I thought I would use them to establish credit. In almost two years I received my first statement this month. In the meantime I had a late payment waiting for my statement to come after the 10th time calling them about no statements. I purchased my homeland contract because of lack of credit not bad. I tried to refinance last year and was turned down because of lack of credit. This last week I tried again to refinance, again turned down for lack of credit. After researching this I found out this whole time they only reported to one of the three credit bureaus and in that report was a late payment because they never sent me a statement.

They did acknowledge that that was their fault. I started with a score of 740 and am now down to 622. Only reported to one agency. The other two have me non existent. If they would have reported to even one of the other two agencies like they claimed I would have been able to refinance this time and the last time I tried. They have cost me thousands. That's hassle free service.

I am currently on hold now with them. They told me next month it might be taken care of with the credit bureaus. Lucky for me it's when the rates are supposed to go back up. I just got off the phone with them. All I asked is for them to report to the other two bureaus. After talking with three different people all three said there was nothing they could do. I guess all this is my fault. I should have racked up debt my whole life instead of using cash. It's like they are out to get me. I have also been waiting since June for a new card after reporting my original lost or stolen.