Date Received: 2023-01-31
Issue: Problem when making payments
Subissue: Problem during payment process
Consumer Complaint: I am a first time homeowner, having purchased a condominium in XXXX. In XXXX of XXXX, I opened a Synchrony Home Design credit account in order to pay for critical housing repair expenses and several concurrent renovations. The timing resulted in two separate balances on the card ( after initial payments made with funds available ) ; about {$3000.00} for a plumbing leak and replacement bathroom fixtures, and about {$9400.00} for new heating and air conditioning systems. The {$3000.00} rate was placed on an 18-month deferred interest plan, expiring XX/XX/XXXX. The interest rate when the promotion expires is XXXX XXXX. The {$9400.00} charge has a fixed payment reduced APR of XXXX XXXX. This year, after receiving my tax return, I intended to use it in order to pay down the remaining balance on the deferred interest balance first, to avoid being charged the full interest accrued when that promotional rate expired XX/XX/XXXX. After some research online, I determined that according to the CARD Act, a credit company must put any payment over the minimum monthly to the balance with the highest interest rate. With that information, I placed an additional, separate payment of {$400.00} onto the account during a billing cycle where I had already made a minimum monthly payment of {$190.00}. That payment was not applied to the deferred interest rate when the payment posted during the next billing cycle. Synchrony advertises a 60-day window after a payment to apply it as you request. On XX/XX/XXXX, I called their support number and requested that {$400.00} payment, filed on XX/XX/XXXX, be allocated to the deferred interest rate. On the same phone call, I provided my bank details to allocate an additional payment of {$1800.00} to be made to the deferred interest rate balance, which would pay the sum total of {$2200.00} remaining on the deferred interest rate plan. I made sure to clarify on the call that these payments should both be applied to the deferred interest rate balance. The representative told me he applied those changes. Once that payment posted, I checked again and determined that these payments had both been posted to the 9.99 % APR balance, rather than the deferred interest rate. I called their customer support again XX/XX/XXXX, who initially told me that these payments had been posted to the deferred interest rate balance. I informed the representative that I had my online statements open in front of me, and I could see that these payments had already posted, and they had been applied incorrectly to the 9.99 % fixed payment reduced APR balance. The representative placed me on a brief hold and then informed me that both the {$400.00} and the {$1800.00} payment had been applied correctly to the deferred interest rate balance with a promotional period ending XX/XX/XXXX. Those changes have not posted or been reflected on my balance as of yet. To my understanding, the CARD Act specifies two provisions for promotional/deferred interest rate plans : One, that any payments over the minimum monthly payment must be allocated to the highest interest balance. Two, that for the last two months prior to a promotional rate expiring, all payment over minimum must be allocated to the promotional rate balance. This period has not yet arrived, but given my above-stated experience I do not trust Synchrony to follow the law. It may be argued that Synchrony 's actions are currently within the law, as the current interest rate on the {$3400.00} balance is an effective 0.0 % until the deferred interest rate expires, but that is beyond my legal knowledge. It may also be argued that the option to apply payments via phone call to a specified balance is available ( if deliberately obfuscated ), they are compliant with legal requirements for providing payment to the highest interest rate first. Again, this is beyond my understanding as a lay-person. However, as I received verbal confirmation on recorded telephone calls that my payments had been applied to the deferred interest balance, specifying and confirming that they were to be applied to the promotional interest rate expiring XX/XX/XXXX, and I confirmed that these payments had not in fact been allocated correctly, I believe Synchrony has operated in bad faith with full intent to minimize any payments applied to the deferred interest balance, in order to maximize their revenue when that promotional rate expires. At this time they may well have corrected the issue after my second phone call ( made XX/XX/XXXX ), but I have no confidence this is the case. No changes to correct the issue are yet visible on my account, if they have even been made. Even if it is corrected, I believe their previous actions demonstrate a clear and intentional violation of CARD Act provisions for consumer protection. The confirmation numbers for the two payments are as follows : {$400.00} submitted XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX {$1800.00} submitted XX/XX/XXXX : XXXX Both of the aforementioned phone calls to the Synchrony customer support line should be recorded by Synchrony for validation purposes.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CT
Zip: 060XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-01-31
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-01-31
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Consumer Complaint: I been receiving credit card at home I didnt apply for, I been calling all of the lender to cancel. but some of them not answering my calls
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: FL
Zip: 33837
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-01-31
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-01-31
Issue: Communication tactics
Subissue: You told them to stop contacting you, but they keep trying
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2022 I signed a contract with publishinglife.com to produce a book I authored with the assistance of their staff. The cost is {$2000.00} with an offer to make payments XXXX months later through XXXX. On XX/XX/2022 I made a request to cancel my enrollment because I as understood the offer payments would begin XXXX months later. The offer was not honored, I was billed within the first week of enrollment. Also, I learned that XXXX would require additional fees for coaching, marketing, publishing, etc. after watching modules to start the course. The information that additional fees would be required was not disclosed at the time of enrollment. From XX/XX/2022 until the end of XXXX, 2022 I continuity disputed being charged payments to pay the $ XXXX on a monthly basis to Synchrony Bank/PayPal . The only source of communication was with Synchrony Bank, publishinglife.com could only be reached by email. XXXX with Synchrony Bank ceased in XXXX because I was told their position sided with publishinglife.com who is the client. XXXX wrote an email stating their policy for cancellations was either within XXXX hours of enrollment or 6 months after. I was told I did not qualify for cancellation at the 6 month period. Synchrony Bank continues to call my cell phone daily, weekends included and send bills requesting payment.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: NJ
Zip: 082XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-01-31
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: I made a purchase with my Synchrony Bank American EagleXXXX credit card, the order was only partially shipped. The payment was due in XXXX, I called the credit card XXXX and they told me to pay only for the portion that I received and that they would file a dispute for me. I received the bill in XXXX with late fees and interest. I called the credit card company and was told that I didnt have to pay as it was found in my favor and that all charges would be reversed. I received another bill in XXXX and called them again and was told the same thing again. I received a text from the credit card stating that I was late. I called again and spoke to a supervisor and was told that they were resolving the issue for me, I asked them to reach out to the credit bureau to let them know I wasnt late so that it wouldnt go against my credit. I received a letter stating that they reported my payment as late 66 days. The letter was dated XX/XX/2023 and I called on XX/XX/2023. I was lied to on XXXX occasions and was reported to the credit bureau as being late.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: RI
Zip: 028XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-01-31
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement
Subissue: Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Consumer Complaint: XXXX was supposedly sent out in XXXX of XXXX and between XXXX of XXXX the card was charged the full amount of credit. I never received this card nor approved of this card nor apply for this card. I was not notified of any charges on this card until XX/XX/XXXX when I received a late payment notice in the mail I called synchrony bank that is when I was told that there was a credit card that was approved and sent out to me the year prior and charged up. There was also an email attached. To this card, so XXXX assuming that is how they were getting statements nothing was sent to my house until they missed a payment as a paid XXXX months of payments. I have tried to resolve this issue since in the bank statements from my bank account for all the months that somebody made payments I have also sent in a police report to show that Ive never received this payment. These charges were not made by me. They continue to state that I am liable as Ive benefited from the use of this card which is not true I have never even received this card. I have also had to deal with other identity theft issue since then, but I have had XXXX who has helped resolve and have been able to put a seven-year continued lock, on my credit reports, I am asking them synchrony bank remove this off of my credit as I was not responsible for any of these charges I have sent them documentation to show that I did not use this card. They have made no real effort to help resolve this in the right way.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 95833
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-01
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Subissue: Debt is not yours
Consumer Complaint: DEAR SYNCB/AMAZON XXXX XXXX ; I have disputed this item with the credit reporting agency and they reported you confirmed the account as valid. I honestly do not believe to ever have any relationship with this collection agency or original creditor. Also there are several inaccuracies with this account the way it's reporting and that's a total violation of FCRA and FDCPA laws and regulations. In a good faith effort to resolve the matter amicably, I must demand proof of this debt, specifically the alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature, as well as proof of your authority in this matter. Absent such proof, you must correct any erroneous reports of this past debt as mine. I am writing to request that you please provide the following information : 1. Please evidence your authorization under 15 USC 1692 ( e ) and 15 USC 1692 ( f ) in this alleged matter. 2. What is your authorization of law for your collection of information? 3. What is your authorization of law for your collection of this alleged debt? 4. Please evidence your authorization to do business or operate in this state. 5. Please evidence proof of the alleged debt, including the alleged contract or other instrument bearing my signature. 6. Please provide a complete account history, including any charges added for collection activity.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: MA
Zip: 02301
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-01
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Account status incorrect
Consumer Complaint: This is in reference to my CFPB complaint that I filed against Synchrony Bank and it's Collection Agency XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX on XX/XX/2023. Please reference case number XXXX. Today I received notification that SYNCHRONY Bank placed a NEW balance owed mark on my credit report AFTER they sold my Debt to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. This is in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Once the Debt is sold, Synchrony can no longer report to the respective Credit Bureaus. I will attach the screen capture from XXXX to this complaint. This is the information in the entry submitted today. Lender : SYNCB/CAR CARE PEP BOY Current balance : {$2600.00} Account number : XXXX... Credit limit : {$1500.00} Amount over limit : {$1100.00} This reporting by Synchrony is obviously in retaliation to my filing a complaint, ref : XXXX, to the CFPB. While I am not a lawyer, I am fairly certain this is illegal.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: PA
Zip: 173XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-01
Issue: Closing your account
Subissue: Company closed your account
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX, an attempt is made to retrieve some money from an account that is not in use, which has no balance, because autopay changed the credit cards. On behalf of Synchrony Pep Boys credit card, this company ( Synchrony Bank ) makes two unsuccessful attempts to take the money from my account. When I realize this action, I decide to double the payment and do it on XX/XX/XXXX, covering all debt. The next day, I had an alert on my credit card page telling me to contact the company. What happened was that my account had been closed without prior notice or permission by the company. When I called the company, they transferred me to the proper department where they told me that they couldn't do anything about it.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: PR
Zip: 00612
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-01
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Credit inquiries on your report that you don't recognize
Consumer Complaint: XX/XX/XXXX I received a invitation offer by email from XXXX XXXX XXXX to apply for a Credit Card with no impact to my XXXX XXXX if I'm declined*. I was hesitant and decided to call the number listed to confirm XXXX and was reassured that that info was indeed correct it was only a soft inquiry and no impact would occur to my XXXX XXXX ( which later turns out is a false/deceitful statement ). After getting off the phone I apply and get the we'll contact you message about this card. I then start thinking I really don't need this card as its redundant to another to my XXXX Rewards card that offers cash back on XXXX. I call with in a minute to call XXXX XXXX that I want my application withdrawn they said it looked like my application was accepted but with another department and that they would relay the word about my withdrawal. Late overnight I was awaking my email notifications stating there was a change in my credit report and that I had opened a account with Synchrony Bank ( SYNCB/XXXX ) XXXX The following day I called and spoke to the Synchrony Bank about what had happened and was assured it would be taken care of the account that was opened would be closed and any inquiries would be removed. I was told a letter would be sent to the credit reporting agencies and myself as well as a mail correspondence one correcting the issue and as confirmation of action of letter to the Credit Bureaus. As a result I froze my Credit Accounts to prevent any unauthorized inquiries to the other Credit Reporting Agencies such as XXXX and XXXX. I went back to the application to see if I could cancel and it stated congrats I was approved I had email confirmation about using the electronic card while I waited for it to be mailed. I received XXXX conflicting pieces of mail correspondence on XX/XX/2023 from Synchrony Bank stating that they could not approve me for a XXXX XXXX XXXX Account because my Credit Reports were frozen and another stating the inquiry was valid. So in XXXX instance they said my account wasn't approved because of no access to my Credit Report ( yet I have a inquiry which is unauthorized ) and on top of it I took a hit to my score as a result of the inquiry and unauthorized account being listed on a XXXX credit bureaus. In the next letter they say they say I have a account and am a XXXX customer even though I told them I didn't want the card immediately and after finding out they had opened a account I told them to close it as it wasn't with my consent. They said they would over the phone. I'm upset about their shady practices. I want this unauthorized inquiry removed and confirmation the account was closed per my phone calls with them ASAP.
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: MD
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-02-01
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: NO WAY TO CONTACT SYNCHRONY BANKS RECOVERY SERVICE CENTER NEED THEM TO SUBMIT XXXX C FOR EACH COMPANY ATTACHED TO MY NAME, XXXX SICKNESS TOOK ME OUT FOR YEARS NOONE MONITORED MY ACCOUNTS FOR ME NEED XXXX C FOR THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES AND ANY OTHER CREDITOR. I PRETTY MUCH LOST EVERYTHING TO THAT XXXX SO I AM HERE TO CLEAN THIS UP. FOR ALL BUSINESS DEBTS THEY NEED TO SUBMIT XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
State: CA
Zip: 92376
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-02-01
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A