Complaint Review: Applied Bank - Cross Country Bank - Boco Raton Florida

More than 10 years ago I received multiple mailings to apply for both a mastercard and visa credit card through Cross Country Bank which I understand is now Applied Bank. I finally succumbed to the enticements and received both cards. It was great for awhile, no issues. Then all of sudden, I started seeing charges for services on my card that I had never heard of nor authorized. For example there was some service, I cannot quite remember exactly what it was having to do with my car. At the time I didn't even have a car! So I called Cross Country Bank and they said I had to call the service directly. I called the number and spoke, and I will always remember this, to the rudest person on earth. She explained that when I signed up for the credit cards I also agreed to try services that Cross Country Bank was in partner with. She told me that I must have agreed to this. I went back and looked at my paper work from Cross Country. I did not remember agreeing to this. Sure enough on my paperwork it said I had not agreed to this service. I called Cross Country back and said I never agreed to this and wanted them to remove me. I did not want to take part in this service. I called the service back directly and told them I was refusing the offer. It happened again and again with different services.

Finally, one of the services put me over my credit limit. Boom! I was hit with an over the limit fees. When I refused to pay until they removed the charges for these so called services I started getting hit with late fees. Well, it just kept snow balling until it was totally out of control and I was not making any headway just paying the minimum payment because by then I had lost my job. Yeah sure, the only service they hadn't offered me was protection against the balance when you lose your job.

Then, I moved and I had provided the change of address to them. I was not receiving bills so I called their customer service number. Come to find out that their so called "computer" system had generated the wrong zip code and they would not change it because they said their computer system was correct and I was wrong. Okay, I am not a wizard with my finances but I think I know my own zip code and the post office sure as hell knows. I sent them a copy of the post office's web site showing my correct zip code. Nothing..no word from them and I never got the bills again. So, I defaulted. I stopped paying them. Collection agencies started calling. I ignored them.

Collection letters started coming. I still have them in a storage box. I ignored them. I knew this was not right but the truth is, the exact balance I owed on the Mastercard was $259 and the Visa was $157, but because of their so called "service" partners, the over the limit fees and the late fees, the balances ballooned to $2,862 and $1,664 respectively. I refuse to pay this to this day. And, it has been over 10 years and these idiots are still on my credit report!

The good news is that I now have legitimate credit cards that this nonesense does not go on. I have a good job, get paid well and in 2005 I bought a brand new car. I was afraid I would not get a loan because of the Cross Country Bank debacle and the fact that they were still on my credit report, but, suprisingly I did get a car loan...maybe it was a sub prime...lol..not sure.

It was through Capital One. I actually called them after the loan was in place and asked them why they gave me the loan when I had the Cross Country bank problem. They said they were aware of Cross Country Bank and their practices so since that was the only negative thing on my credit they tossed it out as invalid. But, they did advise me that since it was still there and appeared legitimate it would affect my credit score. So I guess I do have to do something about that. But, I tell you this I will not pay them...I just won't. They are sleazy and predatory. I am hoping that when the federal government starts cleaning up banks and lending institutions that these people and people like them will be put out of business.

Roxi

Manchester, Connecticut

U.S.A.