Complain about a product or service

Providian

Providian • Advance Fees • Credit Repair • Destinations Unlimited • Disputed Charges • Interest Rates • Late Posting • Late Refunds • Late Statements • Promotional Rates • Credit Protection • Unauthorized Balance Transfers --- News • WaMu Buys Providian • $300 Million Providian Settlement • Providian Chairman Out, Stock Tanks • Providian Settles Class-Action Suits

Providian made its money the good old-fashioned way -- on the backs of the working poor. It built its business on what is called the "subpar" segment of the market, customers whose credit records have a few blemishes.

Only problem is, the losses outran the sky-high fees and soaring interest rates and the house of cards came tumbling down in October 2001 and by mid-2005, Providian had been acquired by the nation's largest savings and loan, Washington Mutual.

But from what customers tell us, things haven't changed much at Providian, as the complaints in this section demonstrate. Here are a few of the more recent beefs ...

Patrick of O'brien, OR April 17, 2009

Patrick of O'brien OR (04/17/09)
I have a credit card with providain bank. I wanted to pay off my credit card debt they refused to let me pay it off. when i told them I have gold dipping chrome that I am selling off at 40 percent discounted rate which is 40 ton of it. I don't know the value of it yet. what do I do about it when they do that?

Sandra of New Haven, IN April 7, 2009

Sandra of New Haven IN (04/07/09)
Early this month I pulled a credit report and they have me paying on an account for Providian. I don't understand it. I am not paying on a Providian account and don't own them any money. please help

Karen of Ardmore, TN April 5, 2009

Karen of Ardmore TN (04/05/09)
This credit card company kept changing my due dates to the point that I had an immense amount of late charges then that turned into overlimit charges. as I tried to work out the payment with them and wrote them letters in order to take care of the problem. they shut down the online payment area and I could not pay the bill.

I'm harassed by phone calls, my credit score is horrible. this did not help since I was laid off and trying my best to work out the problem.

Barb of Toledo, OR March 13, 2009

Barb of Toledo OR (03/13/09)
i have paid on this bill for 4 years now a company called clienrt services is hounding me for more money they are threating to garnish me on my ssi please make them stop. im already garnished by irs thank you

Marla of Naples, FL March 11, 2009

Marla of Naples FL (03/11/09)
I filed bankruptcy in 1999 and Chase credit card was listed as discharged. Today, I receive a notice from Portfolio Recovery Assoc to pay half of 3938.95. When I filed bankruptcy, the amt was a little over 1800. Why after all these years are they contacting me. I am afraid they will freeze my checking account etc. I tried calling them and no one answers the phone!

If they freeze my account, it will be extremely difficult. I was laid off in November and I would not be able to pay for an attorney, much less try and survive without my unemployment checks.

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