Date Received: 2023-08-21
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Consumer Complaint: The existence of a derogatory rating on my account is causing me significant concern. I am deeply worried about its potential impact on my credit. It has already resulted in the denial of a recent loan application and an increase in the interest rates on my existing credit accounts. I want to emphasize the severe financial and emotional distress that this negative rating has caused me and will continue to cause until it is resolved.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 33615
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-21
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Consumer Complaint: The existence of a derogatory rating on my account is causing me significant concern. I am deeply worried about its potential impact on my credit. It has already resulted in the denial of a recent loan application and an increase in the interest rates on my existing credit accounts. I want to emphasize the severe financial and emotional distress that this negative rating has caused me and will continue to cause until it is resolved.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 33614
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-21
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Consumer Complaint: XXXX XXXX To a lessor extent : Discover Card XXXX XXXX Both XXXX and XXXX are NOT correctly reporting on citizens that pay off their credit card balances IN FULL every month. This can cause GRAVE damage to all Americans credit scores and can cause citizens to pay higher interest rates on ALL of their lines of credit. Real life Examples : My charges to Discover Card vary in a given month, BUT, the balance is paid in full no matter the balance! Prior to ( XX/XX/18 ) Friday, my credit scores were XXXX. They dropped XXXX points, and when I complained, reporting the issue and giving Discover Card as a witness to my payment history, they lowered my score AN ADDITIONAL XXXX points, XXXX total. This due to me charging several home appliances and upgrades to my Discover Card. Not only is this fraud, on a national scale, imagine the damage to US consumers! Lower score, resulting in higher monthly rates. I took this to Discover Card, them knowing my payment history, and they themselves refused to up my credit line to reduce the ratio of debt to full line of access, even though they are responsible. Accidentally or intentionally, they as a whole entity, not sure of XXXX XXXX involvement, conspire to unfairly raise rates and improperly/intentionally report payment history resulting in fraudulent charges to all. Recap : Credit Bureaus using individual monthly consumers charges to lower their credit scores, despite not only a perfect payment history, but a payment in full every month for years history. Effectively destroying their promise and fulfillment of rewards by giving 1 % at the expense of irrepairable damage to consumers credit reports. All 4 companies are participating willingly. I notified all 4, 2+ times each. My recommendation : prevent customers credit card scores by mandates that Credit Card Bureaus add a balance in full, effective balance XXXX to all payment history ( ies ) If a balance is XXXX then XXXX then XXXX the next time capture, this should NOT effect a score if the balance is paid IN FULL on every monthly billing. Or warn retirees that pay their balances in full every month that they may need to send daily payments to their Credit accounts. Clearly the Discover Card rewards program is a scam, along with the Credit Bureaus intentionally incorrect reporting.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 34491
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-21
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems
Subissue: Other problem
Consumer Complaint: A rep from Discover used a fraudulent card opening and fraudulent charge of {$700.00} to call me. Then he commented on my age ( XXXX ) and told me of a gov program to reduce indebtedness and consolidate credit card balances by using U S Debt Validators. I told him clearly I was NOT interested. I pay my debts on time and far in excess of minimums due. Presumably because of the fraudulent card charge and second card opened he said he needed to transfer me to XXXX. After verifying my identity, XXXX transferred me to another number which was answered XXXX XXXX. There I was told to stop making payments on my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX etc and should only pay my XXXX cards. I said that makes no sense. He kept insisting. I said you put whatever you are directing me to do in writing. I am not doing anything via phone. I believe the three employees of these companies were attempting to put me in the Debt Validators program WITHOUT my wanting or needing to do so. I have excellent credit ( high 700s ). They must get a reward enrollments they obtain. Subsequent to the call from Discover on Friday XX/XX/XXXX, I have received 28 unidentified phone calls from U.S. locations on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX which I did not answer. My guess is 95 % were in regard to my refusal to continue talking to the 3rd call. Discover said my call was being recorded so one can check to hear how I indicated no interest, Call was XX/XX/XXXX no sure what time but it came from XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: IN
Zip: 46038
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-27
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-20
Issue: Fees or interest
Subissue: Problem with fees
Consumer Complaint: After wasting hours politely talking with several different Discover Card supervisors on XX/XX/23 about astonishingly high rates for a balance transfer that I was set to repay on that day, and which I presumably can not now without waiving my rights, I hereby submit this complaint. Please note the attachment preceded by my additional comments : More generally, I mention the following : Discover Card entices folks to use a balance transfer check from them and then when one does and subsequently sees how expensive the transaction actually was, Discover tells them that the check was used in such a way ( online, for example ) that it's actually a cash advance. So instead of one 's getting the promotional rate, one gets ripped off while Discover claims that its choice of legal forum agreement was actually agreed to ( even when it wasn't by the astonished consumer ). Meanwhile the inflated rates for a cash advance apply despite balance transfer assurances made on the conspicuous documentation on the sheet containing the actual balance transfer checks that are merged together with " interest and fee information ''. The inflated rates apply also despite the front of the promotional sheet that may or may not have been included in the envelope with the promotional checks, too. On the back of that alternative sheet though ( not the one including the checks ) there's fine print buried within a large paragraph saying if one uses the transfer check in other than paper form, cash advance rates apply. So instead of 0 % interest for a year and maybe a 4 % transfer fee, like one had bargained for, one finds that one 's been surprisingly billed around 30 % annually plus a significant start-up fee. Meanwhile one 's reliance damages grow, too. Discover profits from the deception while claiming it's not deceiving, and while expecting surprised consumers not to sue them in their state pursuant to their consumer protection laws. It's not the first time that Discover has violated consumers ' legal protections. Your office has previously taken action against Discover. For example : https : //www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/consumer-financial-protection-bureau-settles-with-student-loan-servicers-discover-bank-the-student-loan-corporation-and-discover-products-inc-for-violating-a-bureau-consent-order-and-other-unlawful-practices As for the attachment : Pages 1 & 2 are of the front and back of the envelope that I received in the mail with Discover 's so-called promotional offer. Nowhere is the cash advance risk mentioned. Why not? Meanwhile : Pages 3 & 4 are of the promotional checks. There were four. Page 4 has redundant copies of checks 3 & 4, along with the " Interest & Fee Information '' beneath them. Please note that pages 3 and 4 are actually the same elongated page. Do you see how nothing at all is included there regarding how Discover can quietly morph its balance transfers into exorbitantly expensive cash advances that one discovers the hard way? Why is that? Anyhow the same goes for all pages except the final page ( 8 ), a back page where a brief advisory is buried as fine print within a paragraph. That's what page 8 is, just a back page that one doesn't even notice. Furthermore : Pages 5 & 6 are the blank sheets that appear on the back of the checks and the abovementioned information page ( i.e. pages 3 & 4 ). Notice the lack of any warning or advisory about cash advances? Given those two sheets ' blank status, why would anyone even think to look at the back page of 7, which just reiterates the promotional information? And why isn't Page 8 's tiny little advisory mentioned conspicuously ( or even at all ) anywhere at all on the other 7 pages? They are not. ANSWER : Because profits are greater when such surprises happen and folks believe Discover when it tells them they waived their right to a trial in their home state, much less a jury trial. Discover has no such waiver from me but I want to share this information with CFPB so it can try to help folks who are similarly misled by Discover. How can we make enough money to pay our taxes and try to help pay down the national debt ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) when we get tripped up with surprise traps like Discover 's? We consumers don't have time for these distractions from our supposed allies. I had alternative credit card offers I could have used, and even more affordably than Discover 's promotion ( not to mention its exorbitant cash advance fees which, in my case, amount to a XXXX digit sum ). Furthermore, now I presumably can't pay down the rest of my debt hosted with Discover ( not to mention with my own funds, which I have, instead of a balance transfer check, which I don't need to use ). I can't make a payment without paying the inflated amount and all but waiving my rights to recover it later ( per the accord & satisfaction doctrine ). I spoke politely with several different Discover employees about this surprise and their ultimate definite conclusion was that I am out of luck. How can they justify the punitive fee? It's not like using the check one way instead of the other to transfer a balance costs Discover significantly more, if at all. It's certainly not like that ( reasonable and even encouraged ) approach warrants cash advance fees and compound interest. It's not fair to honest credit card companies to let their competitor Discover get away with this. Please take action.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 77006
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-21
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Reporting company used your report improperly
Consumer Complaint: In accordance with the fair credit Reporting act XXXX Account # XXXX, has violated my rights. 15 USC 1681 Section 602 States I have the right to privacy. 15 USC 1681 Section 604 A Section 2 : It also states a consumer reporting agency can not furnish a account without my written instructions. 15 USC 1666B : A creditor may not treat a payment on a credit card account under aXXXX open end consumer credit plan as late for any purpose. XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: LA
Zip: 705XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-19
Issue: Closing your account
Subissue: Company closed your account
Consumer Complaint: I am XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I am the beneficiary of the account held with discover under the name XXXX XXXX or any derivative thereof. I have tried to resolve this issue with Discover but to no avail. I will be forced to bring suit against Discover within 10 business days from this notice if they do not reach out to me and try to resolve the issue. This will serve as notice and be used as evidence if the issue has not been resolved in the allotted time.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 30060
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-19
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-19
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems
Subissue: Other problem
Consumer Complaint: My XXXX year-old mother passed away last year and had a fiduciary/insurance agent supposedly taking care of her finances. As it turns out, he stole over {$750000.00} by using her bank accounts to pay off his own loans, debts ( XXXX XXXX Discover, XXXX XXXX ), mortgage, car payments, utility bills, family trips, eating out, and just about everything that he could. He brought his house out of foreclosure and sold it less than two weeks after she died. He then moved out of state ( without telling anyone ) to XXXX, TN. The banking records were received under subpoena as the man, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XX/XX/83 ), who was also appointed as the executor to her will, stopped responding to requests made by the beneficiaries as well as the attorney that he hired from the law firm that wrote my mother 's will. She had accounts at : XXXX XXXX and XXXX. He used my mother 's bank account to pay for his own credit card bills
Company Response:
State: AZ
Zip: 85742
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-19
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-20
Issue: Problem when making payments
Subissue: Problem during payment process
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX my payment posted and shows complete from my credit union/checking account. However as of today XX/XX/XXXX discover is reporting my balance still as - {$14.00} to each of the 3 major credit bureaus. Initially when I made my credit card payment Discover said they would hold the processing for an additional 8 days without much more explanation so my original payment was made early XXXX. That time has passed for the delayed posting that happened ( after no explanation ) and my payment has been processed and was paid to discover by my credit union. The entire {$110.00} was paid to Discover however they are reflecting my limit as - {$14.00} instead of {$96.00} which is affecting my credit utilization and has a derogatory affect on my credit score which is also affecting my financial wellbeing. Its unlawful for an organization to report inaccurate information to the credit reporting agencies. By Discover reporting my balance as - {$14.00} they are breaking consumer laws in regards to fair and accurate reporting.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 30349
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-18
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement
Subissue: Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Consumer Complaint: On XXXX I contacted Discover. I bought a monitor for {$110.00} from XXXX XXXX, it was pre-owned under 'Acceptable '' conditions ; the worst condition items are sold under for XXXX XXXX. I heard buzzing noises coming form the monitor after some use, and found out it was potential electrical failure that can start a fire down the line. I assumed they overlooked this in the inspection process as it was noticeable only after extended use of the monitor. On XXXXXXXX I went to the XXXX XXXX XXXX ( was closer to me ), and asked for a refund as returns are handled at any XXXX XXXX. They said they could not return the item and could only offer store credit. This was new to me as nowhere did it state store credit as the only means of receiving a refund for the item. I explained I did not want store credit as there is nothing else in the store I wanted to buy. They offered the store credit out of generosity as I was persistent and they wanted me to leave, but I decided to start a dispute with my bank as they would understand. I opened a dispute the same day ( XXXX ), and provided my case. XXXX month later on XXXX I lost the dispute, I saw the documentation sent by XXXX XXXX and realized it proved nothing in their favor, just their return policy with nothing highlighted. The same return policy they provided deemed defective items CAN be returned, and by consumer law I am guaranteed return within a 30 day window for defective items in California, even if the item is non-refundable or final sale ( which it was not in this case ). I highlighted the portions of their sent return policy and made annotations explaining the situation. And the date of the initial dispute opened and the transaction date which shows it was within a few days of the return window. To continue the dispute, I had to call the dispute team after uploading my documents to Discover. I called them and showed them my documents on XXXXXXXX they stated the reason I lost the dispute was because they wanted me to contact the store of purchase ( XXXX XXXX and ask for the XXXX to explain my case first. So I went to XXXX on XXXX ( I forgot the specific day but around this date ). I asked for a refund in person but the XXXX said since it was out of the return period they could not. I stated how I opened the dispute a few days after receiving the item, and already tried to return to XXXX XXXX within the return period initially but XXXX XXXX said store credit only and Discover took over a month to come to a resolution for my dispute, so of course it is out of the return window. She stated that unless I was a premium member who get extended return periods of up to 60 days, they could not help me. I knew this was just to encourage paying for premium benefits that I used to get for free. I tried reasoning and saying if they had purchases in the system 60 days old for premium members, there should be no reason why they could not make an exception for mine and override it in the system since logs can go that far back, but she continued to state I needed the XXXX XXXX plus membership before purchasing the item to get the extended return window. They also had 90 day returns during the pandemic, so I knew she was just being corporate and unhelpful despite having the ability to make things work. I went and called Discover XXXX and explained how the XXXX denied me after visiting in person. Now the representative made a different excuse, saying something along the lines of : " they already offered store credit so they already tried a compromise which was denied initially ''. I explained how they offered store credit, not a refund, and by their return policy and law, I am obligated to a full refund for the defective item that I brought in initially to return. I said the store credit offered is not mentioned anywhere as a means of reimbursement in lieu of a refund, and was just courtesy offered by their team to satisfy me. No where is store credit used as the only means of reimbursement, and this was fully improvised and backed by no documentation. She was unhelpful for the rest of the conversation and we hung up after I said this. I found out about CFPB online and figured it was worth a final shot to contact you guys to get my a refund. To reiterate : I highlighted all parts of the return policy explaining I am entitled to a refund ( not just store credit! ), and by law for defective items I am granted a grace period for returns. I attempted return within 3 days initially ( return period is 15 days ), and XXXX XXXX and Discover waited a month to close the dispute against me so it was now out of the return window. I tried multiple in store and phone contact, each time yielding a different excuse. If you want you can get phone transcripts and see for yourself, and see my dispute documents uploaded to prove I opened a dispute promptly and highlighted all key info. Attached are all files I sent to them for the dispute, you can ask Discover for phone transcripts of my conversation. I do not know if XXXX XXXX would give me surveillance footage to indicate proof of attempted return but I can try that too if needed. The " read messages '' file is me highlighting the same document sent to me proving their own source enables me to refund my item within the time period, which I attempted. " Dispute Information '' file is just a pdf document of me explaining the situation to Discover.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 94806
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-18
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A