Credit Card Grrrrrrr!

So this is where I come to vent. For the period 2004 - 2005 my primary credit card was declined 3 times because of "activity that doesn't fit your normal spending patterns". My normal spending pattern is that I use it for everything I buy and pay it off every month. In this case "normal spending pattern" means over $1000.

So I log on to look at this month's activity last night and see transactions I don't recognize. I called up and someone in Indianapolis is using a card with my account on it. We closed tha account.

So three times I've had problems because of purchases I tried to make that didn't seem "normal" but simultaneous charges in Tucson and Indianapolis don't even cause them to call me and ask.

But, wait, there's more. Since my primary card was canceled (remember, I don't carry cash -- everything is on the card) I pulled out my backup. Went out and made two purchases, then stopped for gas. Card declined.

Seems that we hadn't used the card for months and now there's activity. Oh well. It's so convenient.

 

So, today's update. You may remember that our hero had called the CC service number and found that there was a "security hold" on his backup card -- verified the charges he had made and was told that the hold was removed.

Imagine his surprise when he went out this AM to fill up and found that his card was declined.

Since the gas station was only two blocks from the bank whose name is on the card, I decided to drop by.
Met a vey nice branch manager (about 20 years old -- sorry, I'm 60 and my agism is showing) who called the CC service guys. They told him, as they had me, that there was indeed a block on the card and they would immediately remove it. We left and went back to the QuickStop, where our card was instantly rejected -- back to the bank. The kid called the CC security guys again -- eventually he told me it was fixed. (I'm cutting a lot out here, and the kid is really a good guy, but he may be working for a BS company.) Went across the street to immediately try the card. It worked. We went on our way and bought two more items. Ended up at the local Asian market where our card was declined. Called the kid to let him know things weren't peachy.

Called CC fraud prevention folks -- conversation was about what you would expect -- i.e. they couldn't actually understand what I was so upset about -- it's all for my protection.

Bottom line -- when the kid VP called back he had called his regional manager and they had both talked with the CC folks who told them that my account had a "no clearance" note on it. According to him this was fixed and honest I really can use my card now.

We'll see tomorrow --

To recap -- I tried to use my backup CC. I made 3 purchases and it was declined on the 4th.
I called and was told that every thing is OK.

Tried to use the card and it was declined.

Talked to bank manager, who talked to CC guys, and they told him it's okay.

Tried to use the card and it was declined.

Bank manager called again and was assured that this time it is fixed.

Used the card 3 times. 4th time was declined.

Called bank manager, called CC fraud prevention guys -- cursed a lot and abused people who couldn't do anything about it (I know that's wrong, but it's hard to remember when you're that pissed.)

Bank manager called to say that he and his regional manager had talked to the CC guys and eventually they told him the problem was that there was a "no clearance" note on my account meaning that the hold could not be cleared -- he says this is fixed. More when I try to use the card tomorrow.

Daniel -- I know. The missus and I had already been discussing the need for a different bank for reasons unrelated to this latest fiasco. Now, however, the kid bank VP has honestly tried hard enough and impressed me enough that we may keep trying -- Heck, if the Donald can give a bimbo a second chance, why shouldn't I do the same?