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  • Report:  #670478

Complaint Review: First Premier Bank - Sioux Falls South Dakota

Reported By:
AllisonMPLester - plymouth, Michigan, United States of America
Submitted:
Updated:

First Premier Bank
SouthDakota Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States of America
Phone:
Web:
firstpremier.com
Categories:
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?

My name is Allison L. I am a recipient of a First Premier Bank Card. I once had poor credit due to medical bills, and when I became a parent and went back to school, I knew I needed to get my credit back on track. I paid off all my debt, but my credit score wasn't moving up. So, like most in my position, I chose to go with a subprime credit company - First Premier Bank.



When I signed up, I thought the only charge I would see was the $29.00 set-up fee, however, even though I was given a $250 limit, I was only able to use $90.00 because there were all types of other fees, including an annual fee of $48.00, as well as a $79.00 fee for a "program fee." I made only a purchase of gas the first month, and have only made three other purchases in a year - all less than $20 because I basically had no credit with which to buy things.



When I started to pay my balance, I felt like I wasn't making a dent. Each month I paid on time, over the amount. There were three times I paid on the due date, and I was charged an extra $11to have it processed that day. I never knew they had a web site to make payments until a rep "slipped" and told me I wouldn't have to pay the $11 fee if I paid online - so, I was about to hang up and pay online when she told me their "system was down." Looking back, I was being lied to so they could collect this outrageous fee from me for paying ON TIME!



My limit went "over" ONLY because of their fees! I have not made a purchase in 6 months. I thought I was doing a good job of paying down, then received the annual fee and went over my limit! How is this? They charge me $17/month for NOT making purchases, even though I can't because I have no credit b/c of their fees!! Each month I was being charged an extra $25 for the "over the limit fee." Even though it is not anything I actually bought, it's their fees that put me over the limit!



I called to cancel my card. I was told if I cancelled with over a $20 balance, I would still be charged $17/month for the "no purchase made fee." I said, "I'm going to be charged 17 bucks a month even though I can't technically USE the card?!" The rep said, "YES!" This can't be legal!!



This company preys on people with poor credit because they know they will be able to make money off unethical, ridiculous fees. This is unethical, immoral and should be illegal!



I want to make a class action lawsuit. I have read many complaints. TOday is 12/11/2010. Let's do this together! I need a lawyer to help me with this. To any lawyer interested: I don't want any money from this. You can keep it all if we get a settlement! I just want to be able to close my account w/o a balance. PLEASE JOIN ME AND HELP!



(After a year of having my card, I did get offers from other companies, like Orchard Bank and Capital One - which are much better options.)



 



3 Updates & Rebuttals

Steve

Bradenton,
Florida,
U.S.A.
Allison, ALWAYS read all terms and conditions FIRST

#2Consumer Suggestion

Tue, December 14, 2010

Allison,

Although I agree with you that First Premier bank operates unethically, they are NOT doing anything "illegal" so there is no foundation for a lawsuit of any kind, especially a "class action".

You should educate yourself on "class action" lawsuits before talking about starting one. These type of lawsuits generally cost millions of dollars when you go after a bank or other huge business, and the only people to make money off of them are the lawyers. The "victims" rarely see any money at all, or best case just a few dollars.

FYI..I had 2 different accounts with FPB and can tell you that all fees and costs involved were clearly disclosed, up front. All you had to do was read.

ALWAYS read all of the fine print before entering into any financial agreement.


coast

USA
Look Before You Leap

#3Consumer Comment

Tue, December 14, 2010

You must have really poor credit. I just checked out the First Premier web site. They charge an astronomical 59.9% APR. That is outrageous, but it is clearly posted along with their other fees. You leaped before you looked.


You don't need a lawyer. You need to pay them off and jump ship.


Jim

Orlando,
Florida,
USA
Sure, Its Their Fault Because You Didn't Read The Terms! STUPID!

#4Consumer Comment

Tue, December 14, 2010

All the fees and charges are DETAILED in the application which YOU apparently didn't read!  Am I saying this was a good deal?  Hell no!  You found out why with all the phoney, add-on fees! 

YOU went over the limit because you continued to charge beyond the CREDIT LIMT.  Again, YOUR FAULT, not theirs!

Next time read what you are signing and when you see a deal as bad as this is, throw it in the garbage!

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