Another Credit Card Debacle

Another Credit Card Debacle By: Ronald L. Cain Stories about people and the situations they encounter over the use or misuse of credit cards abound.

[SearsAssociate]

Sears does not own the Sears cards. Not many people know this- in fact- the Sears cards are owned by Citibank.(which has the worst customer service in the business)

Don't blame Sears, Roebuck (retailer) for your problems with the Sears card (Citibank)...

[J Steever]

While looking for the url for the Sears Card I came across this site. I too have had a most disapointing experience with this card. I agree to open an account in Dec. 05 while purchasing $85.00 of clothing at the local retailer to receive a $15.00 discount on the purchase.

When the bill arrived in Jan. 06 I tried to pay online but, after filling out the application, it stated that it would take a week to authorize online payments. I forgot to follow up and make the payment.

In Feb. I received the bill with a $26.95 late charge. I paid the invoice and closed the account Mar.14 In Apr I received a bill for $9.95 for CITIUSA credit moniter. Since the account was closed and I hadn't authorized this service I thought it to be a mistake and ignored it. BIG MISTAKE. I now have, due June 23 a bill for $26.53.

After discussing it with the represenative and her supervisor I was informed that in addition to this payment I would also have another charge next month for interest on this balance. The represenative was difficult to understand having a heavy East Indian accent. The supervisor had a heavy minority American accent and an attitude. This is on a card cancled in mid March.

NEVER AGAIN will I agree to one of these come on's. I knew better this time but did it anyway/.

[J Steever]

Sears uses this company as a promotion therefore they bear some responsibility for the resulting problems. When I canceled the card the representative stated the he "heard the same complaints a lot". I would think Sears would address this fiasco since it has to cause more people than me to have bad feelings about shopping there again.

[Robert Mills]

I am a class action lawyer investigating improper credit card billng practices. I would like to speak to anyone who has had a CITIUSA credit monitor bill attached to their monthly credit card bill. Contact information at millslawfirm.com .

[Beverly]

I've had a Sears credit card since 1967. I have applied for other cards, some of which have given me $10,000 in credit. Sears gave me $350 in 1967 and every year since,has refused to increase the balance. I foolishly bought something from Sears using my credit card last April. When my bill came I was on vacation and it got overlooked. So, I paid 30 days late, and, of course, it shows on my credit. But, get this, it shows I have NEVER paid the amount due, with the amount being more than 90 days overdue. When I called Sears customer service they verified that the amount of the account has been zero since June, but that there is nothing they can do about clearing up the credit report. How illegal is that? They keep sending a report to the credit bureaus every month stating I have (just uner $34 by the way) a balance that never gets paid. Does anyone have any idea how to get them tos end the correct information to the credit bureaus. I guess, I can contact the credit bureaus and have them contact Sears, who will then,probably say, the account is paid and the date is was paid. However, why should I have to straighten out their mess. CitiBank now owns Sears CC. I cancelled my Sears CC and will not shop at Sears, Kmart or Lands End. Additionally, I have accounts with CitiBank and CitiMortgage. Not for long however! Not after this mess with Sears. I cannot believe that missing what was a less than $15 payment in May has generated this mess. Does anyone else have difficulty with Sears CC? Personally, I would never consider having one again, nor dealing with any of their merchants or associates.

[Andi Marschand]

Robert Mills wrote:

I am a class action lawyer investigating improper credit card billng practices. I would like to speak to anyone who has had a CITIUSA credit monitor bill attached to their monthly credit card bill. Contact information at millslawfirm.com .

I found this on my debit card statement. I am interested in what you have to say about it. [e-mail]

[Texas Voter]

Andi Marschand wrote:

<quoted text>
I found this on my debit card statement. I am interested in what you have to say about it. [e-mail]

Well, there's more. Wife and I were invited to leave the eyeglass dept. in a Sears facility in San Antonio when my wife presented the fat clerk with an advertised sales special offer for new glasses. I paid with CC; then demanded an immediate refund because of the lousy treatment. The fat hog clerk called store security on me, but got nowhere with that. I filed complaints once back at home. Nothing much happened, but did end up getting an apology and assurance the clerk would be dumped. Over a year later while at that store for tools, that fat clerk was still working in the eyeglass dept. This happened shortly before some rich individual (and his investors) purchased Sears and Kmart.....for the property holdings. It's very likely they do not care about the business end. Sears retail business has been in bad shape for a number of years. Sears sales were always phony, balony, but the Craftsman tool line is good, but expensive, almost as much so as SnapOn. Sears commercial enterprise appears to be a click above retail. They serve homebuilders' appliance needs, and more.

[Anatoly Tsaliovich]

Robert Mills wrote:

I am a class action lawyer investigating improper credit card billng practices. I would like to speak to anyone who has had a CITIUSA credit monitor bill attached to their monthly credit card bill. Contact information at millslawfirm.com .

I'd like to talk to you

[e-mail]

[Anatoly Tsaliovich]

I'd like to talk to you

[e-mail]

[dorothy gooding]

I was given 250 dollars credit on my sears card 1998 and since then they have refused a limit increase ever since and i have used it a lot and even paid on time

[dorothy gooding]

I think that i am getting the run around

[Jess Oliver]

I am a 22yr old college student, who has never had a sears card, nor have i ever shopped there. Today i looked at my bank statement on line, and i now have a charge of $9.95 from CITIUSA Credit Monitor. I am very confused....let me know if you can help me.

[Dave]

Just today I called the 800 number on my Sears Card statement to ask that they lower the high interest rate on my account. I've had a Sears credit card for probably 20 years now. A few years ago, I got a divorce and was behind on payments for a few months. For the last 3+ years I have paid before due date and more than the minimum. They told me "that is the prime rate and the sears rate. It cannot be lowered". I'm paying 28.99% which is prime plus 20.74%!!!!! This is close to criminal. Time to pay this off ASAP.

[Nash ParkSlop]

I had an acct with sears back in 2000, for some reason i had to close it and open another acct. with them the balance transfered to the new acct. Last month July 2006, sears sold my closed acct to a credit agency, and the credit agency sold it to another. the Latest one, put a lien on my bank acct. and ask me to settle it. I refused since I owe them nothing, this acct. I had to go to court. in the court their lawyar told oplgized and release my bank acct.... is this scam or what. how about if i just paid it. or i dont have time to go to court.

[Nash ParkSlop]

Jess Oliver wrote:

I am a 22yr old college student, who has never had a sears card, nor have i ever shopped there. Today i looked at my bank statement on line, and i now have a charge of $9.95 from CITIUSA Credit Monitor. I am very confused....let me know if you can help me.

This happened to me once, these credit monitoring agencies just take chance, if you disbute the charge they refund you the money, other wise they just made money. You better Call this Credit Monitor ASAP, and desbute this charge. let them credit your acct back. if you do nothing this charge will continue every month.

[angie]

I have a Citibank/Sears account that has a $6,500 balance - none of which is mine. They will not let me see any activity on the website, nor have I received any statements from them in over a year and when I call to request them they tell me 'they are not obligated to provide me with that information'..they sent this to a collection agency! Am at a loss to do if they won't give me the statements so I can dispute this!! Am writing a letter summarizing my dealings the past 2 months. Citibank also appears as a $5,500 'write off' on my credit report - news to me - I paid that off when I got a home equity loan 2 years ago!! More letters to write. Never deal with anything to do w/Citibank!! Amazing what they do to people!!

[anita maher]

I have been being charged for CitiUSA Credit monitoring 9.95 per month. When I called my card company to dispute the charge they were unable to give me a number to reach this company, so that I could find out why I am being charged. I find it highly unusual that Bank of America can't figure out who they are giving the money to,

[Sandy]

So I charge a microwave and update my address at our local Sears. The bill is sent to my old address and I forget to pay. Then I'm denied a school loan & check my credit report. After a long ugly story, I do a "Speed Pay Payment" which I understand zeros out my account. Ha! I get a bill that shows a balance of $1.09. I get mad and vow not to pay it. Then I get a bill that adds a $1 finance charge and $15 "Other Charges." Do any of us have rights or recourse?

[Get good service]

If you want good customer service then do not give the customer service number any personal information after all they ask you for your card number when you call. If they do not know who you are they are not located in the USA. Ask what country they are in and then ask for USA representative because the information laws are not the same in all countries. I have never failed in getting good service because I refuse to deal with individuals outside the USA, mainly because it is their job to make a resolution in your favor difficult. Try it you will definitely notice the difference.

[Sandra Anderson]

Robert Mills wrote:

I am a class action lawyer investigating improper credit card billng practices. I would like to speak to anyone who has had a CITIUSA credit monitor bill attached to their monthly credit card bill. Contact information at millslawfirm.com .

I am trying to locate this company to cancel,but am having no luck