bad credit cards


	Beverly writes: EmailAddress: amanishakhete@juno.com Complaint: My mother has a Direct Merchants Credit Card. My mother became seriously ill and Direct Merchant was calling more than 20x a day and when she would talk to them, the so-called collectors aka loan sharks became abuse and cursing. One day, they called and I pretened to be her. The rabid cow did not give her name, but she was yelling and cursing. I told her that under the FDCPA, you are not supposed to be abusing anyone and I suggest that you get your act together or I will contact the FTC and the Collection Agency Board. The rabid cow said, Direct Merchants Bank is above the law, I said, oh, I see. Finally, I told her who I was and that I will be presenting this information to the Attorney General's office and she told me where I can go. I called back and I asked to speak to a supervisor, which I was refused. I called several times and asked for a supervisor and again, I was refused. Direct Merchants bank would speed dial my mother's phone number and she would receive 16 calls in less than one minute. Which I know is a violation of the FDCPA, but Direct Merchants Bank feel that they're above the law. REcently, I was given power of attorney by my mother and I wrote Direct Merchants Bank. I specifically told them that I will not tolerate any abuse, no speed dialing and no abuse of the FDCPA. Instead of dealing with me on a professional level, they turned the account over to a collection attorney who has the same bad attitude at Direct.

	Jose Pino Augusta, GA. 30907 Complaint: About 10 months ago, somebody called me asking for money, I had no idea what happen until I discover my Direct Merchants Credit card put me "charge off" on my credit report. I called to Direct merchants to ask for explanation and the only answer I have is "call to another phone number". When I called to that number, they told me "your account is in charge off because you filled Bankrupcy". I NEVER FILLED BANKRUPCY ! I sent a fax stating the above and they contacted me asking for full payment (about $ 2,100.00), I got a loan check on my bank to pay that account, but the girl on the phone was asking me all info about that check. The girl, a Direct Merchant employee, tried to get the money by "pay by phone", but I told her is not my personal Check, was a Bank check. For security reasons, the bank cancel the check (thanks to the Direct merchants employee) and now I have no money to pay and my credit is damaged. I try to contac many times Direct Merchant to solve this situation but nobody answer my calls, only a machine with the message: "We only speak with your lawer". I try to contact a lawer but no one want to help me because is only $2,000. I went to my bank asking for help, the manager called Direct Merchants buy they refuses to speak with the bank, Direct Merchant states "We only speak with the customer's lawer". I never filled bankrupcy, Direct Merchat credit card damaged my credit with no reason. I did everything as possible for pay, but they refuses to speak with me or give me an explanation. I want to pay but they refuses to accept my calls. If you have a Direct Merchant credit card, you have time to cancel and avoid a big problem in your credit report.

	Tina Ada, Oklahoma EmailAddress: j-thorton@yahoo.com Complaint: I fell behind on my credit cards payments because the company I work for laid off during the winter months because production is down during that time of year. Direct Merchants Credit Card constantly harrassed me calling several times during the day, even at 7:30 on Sunday Morning. They would also call me at work. Everytime I turned around no matter where I was at, They were calling. So I recently refinanced my home and paid off every creditor. When I called Direct Merchants Bank to ask them for a settlement amount, they informed me my account had been turned overed to a collection agency and they could not help me with this issue. I was then receiving letters and phone calls from both Direct Merchants Bank and their collection (Department). They did not turn my account over to an agency ( I recently found out) Just over to a different department. I was GETTING LETTERS FROM THEIR SO-CALLED COLLECTION AGENCY TELLING ME TO SEND MONEY AND ALL CORRESPONDENCES! TO THEM , PLUS STILL RECIEVEING BILLS FROM DIRECT MERCHANTS SHOWING THEM STILL ADDING LATE FEES AND NOW OVER THE BALANCE FEES. When Arging with the collection agency or deparetment --WHATEVER --,I told them they had their chance to recieve their money and they blew it, I was contacting an attorney because they were calling my work phone and that was againist the law, THEY INFORMED ME THEY COULD CALL MY WORK PHONE (BUT IN CONVERSATION) INFORMED ME THAT THEY COULD ONLY CALL ME EVERY 7 DAYS. i SAID ISN'T THAT FUNNY, YOU CALLED JUST 2 DAYS AGO AND CALLED TWICE ON THAT DAY. He said it was not in his records so I went through my caller id naming off the many times they HAD called. When I called them on BREAKING THE LAW, they returned my account to the main bank who is calling me 10X a day, everyday. I called offering them money and they refused. Yet now they are harrassing me. WHAT IS A PERSON TO DO?

	Mike Harris Festus, MO. EmailAddress: mwh60@sbcglobal.net Complaint: I looked at my Direct Merchants Balance yesterday and found that I had 202.00 available credit...looked today and was over my limit by 138.00 ! I called Direct Merchants Bank and was advised that my interest rate had doubled! I was not notified of this! The person I spoke with said I was mailed a letter but this was not received by me! So I then asked if I could negotiate for a lower interest rate and shut the card off, so I can pay it off and be done with this shady company. She said she will lower my interest rate to 25%....still the highest interest rate I have or ever had on anything! But would not shut card off. I have had this card for many years, never missed a payment or been late but this apparently means nothing. I would like to do something about it but I can't find anywhere to go for help with this. It looks as if these sleazy companies are allowed such practices. It seems that they drive up the interest until someone can't pay.

	Sick of Scams Complaint: I had the same problem with Direct Merchant raising my rate to 28.99%, they said they sent a notice eventhough I nevered recevied anything, also they offered a "lower rate" of 25%...how is this legal??? That's the thanks I get for paying my bills on time.

	Williams Pennsylvania EmailAddress: mangopie55@yahoo.com Complaint: This complaint is against the Direct Merchants Bank and its subsidiary, Account Protection. When I made the call to activate my card, the person who took the call tried to convince me to take the account protection they were offering. I told him I had never used that before and besides that sometimes things like that are handled differently for self employed people. He said no problem and so I finaly agreed to sign up for that. I used my card for business purposes, so at one point when I had $5,000 on my card I noticed I was paying around $50.00 a month for the protection! I though that was a lot and so did the gentleman I spoke to from Mastercard international! Anyway, when I was unexpectedly taken ill after a car accident, I fell behind on my payments and when I brought up the account protection, they said I was not illigible because I was self employed. I stopped the account protection but they will not reimburse the $1,000 plus I paid for the bogus account protection and have raised my interest rate to about 27%. They have made thousands of dollars in interest off of me and copromised me in my ability to pay other bills. They sent me a letter that I was to sign aggreeing that they should credit me with $149.00 which is not the correct amount. At this point, the amount that I have charged on that account is well below what I have paid in account protection and interest. If you have a Direct Merchants credit card, I suggest that you get rid of it. If you were thinking of obtaining one ---don't. I wish I could find a credit advocacy or counceling service I could trust--I have heard that some of them are as bad as the credit card companies!

	Tracy EmailAddress: tswoodard@aol.com Complaint: I have been having all kinds of problems with Direct Merchants Bank. I have not talked to the same person in over 20 calls to them. My interest rate is 29.9%, which should be illegal. I am enrolled in Account Protection without my consent. I am over my limit because of their unscrupulous business practices. I have struggled to make things right with them, but NOBODY there seems to have any desire to help me. I have considered bankruptcy because of this one lousy credit card. It's been a complete nightmare for almost 2 years now. If anyone has any information or knows any way to reason with these people, please let me know. I will gladly get involved in any lawsuit against this scamming company.

	Jon Cavicchi 14 Modena Drive Penacook, NH 03303 Phone: 6032281541 EmailAddress: jcavicchi@piercelaw.edu Complaint: I recently got gas and presented my Direct Merchants Bank card for payment. It was declined. I called DMB and was told the card had been cancelled due to non use. I asked the rep why I had not been warned that this would happen if I did not use the card and why I was not notified when the account was cancelled. I was told that DMB was not required to do so and that the cardholder agreement stated so. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was told she was too busy. The rep admitted that I had been a loyal customer with good payment history for almost five years. She referred me to the Credit Department for more information but they were closed.

	Kristen Kwasnicki 88 Michael Drive Red Bank NJ07701 Phone: 7328952323 EmailAddress: kwas24@yahoo.com Complaint: I had a direct Merchant Bank credit card. I never really had a problem until I went into the hospital and fell behind on my account. I decided to take out a personal loan to pay off the card. I called direct merchants and they gave me a payoff amount of $3300.00, which I didnt have a problem with. I then gave the information to my bank and the made out the check along with a letter closing the credit card. Three months later I received a bill from Direct Merchants stating that I owed them $198.00, when I asked what it was for they had no clue. I informed them that I had asked for a payoff amount and that was what I had mailed in. About 6 months later, and a bunch of really rude people I finally had someone inform, me that my account had rolled and A finance charge and late fee of $198.00 was put onto my account. The man I spoke to said that if I paid the $198 he would write off the other $300.00 that been added top my account over that period. I agreed just so I could close this whole problem out. 3 Months later they tried to tell me that the check by phone that I had done bounced. It never did!!! The conversation I had with the peron 3 months earlier they said never existed. I have been trying to solve this problem for 2 years now. I refuse to pay them their $300.0 because I believe I do not owe this money. I have tried calling, but I have no clue which company owns! my account now, They keeping selling it, so I was told by direct merchants and the collection agency. They are the worst credit card and the employees that work there are rude and are useless

	K.B. EmailAddress: marketingexp@yahoo.com Complaint: I am extremely frustrated with Direct Merchant's Bank. I have been making regular payments over the minimum fee via web and sometimes checks. When I lost my card, they sent me a new one and that was fine, but I couldn't, for some reason, get that card to work on the web site so I stupidly put that issue aside figuring I had the paper bill so I could use that to pay. Well, I ended up not paying the amount on the exact day it was due. I got a call from the Customer Service person telling me that my payment wasn't received as of the 19th so they would be charging me: late fees, overlimit fee (due to late fees) and another fee for something else and would I like to pay it now? She told me there was NO grace period and that was clear on my statement. I looked at my statement and under Grace Period it does not spell it out. It says late fees won't be charged under certain circumstances...but by the time you figure out if they apply to you, you become completely co! nfused. So, instead of saying a fee will be charged the next day upon failure to pay on time it says fees won't be charged under certain circumstances...right.... So I just closed the account there and then while on the phone with the Customer Svc person. Predatory fees...that's what they are. And they would not even budge when I asked them to please stop..your late fees are putting me over my limit and that additional fee will make my total due them $185.00 for a $15.00 payment missed by ONE day!!!! Direct Merchant's Bank - BEWARE OF THEM!!

	P. Davis Springfield, Mo 65802 Complaint_against: Direct Merchants I wished someone would tell me just who to complain to and get results regarding Direct Merchants Bank. I have had nothing but problems with them after a year of opening my account with them. I was very ill about 3 years ago and called and asked them if I could make my payment the following week (1 week after my due date). They said they could not talk to me about it until it went to collections. I told them that was ridiculous and that all my other creditors were working with me nad that it shouldn't have to go to their collections department just for being 1 week late. They informed me they were not "the other creditors" they were Direct Merchants Bank. Last June I received my statement from Direct Merchants Bank and my balance had gone up instead of down after making my payment. I thought "how can it be late, when I paid it over the internet and got confirmation of the payment!" I looked over the statement and found where they had increased my interest rate from 9.9% to 28.99%. I called them immediately and asked what had happened. The woman I spoke to put me on hold for almost 45 minutes. When she came back, she informed me that "they had run a "credit check" on me back in May and felt my interest rate needed to be increased." She said the most she could discount it would be to 27%. I immediately contacted an attorney and he told me that by reading the back of my statement, the most they could raise it would be .25% above the prime, which would make it 10.24%. He suggested that I write a letter to them informing them of this, which I did. I received a letter back from them which stated, "Your interest rate was n! ot based upon payment history, but on the fact that we wanted to generate more revenue on your account." They then raised it to 29.99%. I have written countless letters since then, called (and reached a different person each time), but to no avail of getting this resolved. Now I have received a letter from their attorney demanding payment in full of this account within 10 days! They are hateful, threatening and vulgar when they call. You hear about all these places and how people get things resolved, but through whom? This place is definitely a rip-off company.

	michael cox 1353 washington st abington, ma 02351 EmailAddress: mcox899421@aol.com Complaint_against: direct merchants bank Complaint: last month, after years of paying on time, direct merchants bank decided to raise my interest rate from 12.99% to 24.74%. numerous phone calls produced nothing but frustration as no one i could find to speak to had any idea why they had taken this action. all admitted that my record was excellent, but alluded to some mysterious letter that had supposedly been sent out several months previous (all sounding well scripted, i might add) which warned customers that they based their rates on the prime rate and the customer's credit record (as if that isn't the case with all lenders)and could raise them whenever they felt like it. they also told me that the reason for the change to my account would have to reach come from a different department (one that conveniently has no phone, apparently) by mail. After 2 weeks of broken promises and rude treatment, i finally received a letter that states the reason my rate was nearly doubled was "based on our decision to increase the revenue on your account." The letter added "The change in your annual percentage rate was not based on individual characteristics or account performance." i am currently looking to transfer the balance that remains on this account, possibly to one of my other cards (which all have rates significantly lower than even the old direct merchants rate, let alone the new one) so they can forget about any increase in revenue from me. how stupid must they be? in an effort to make a few extra bucks in interest for a brief period, they are willing to risk losing a great customer forever. if anyone has any suggestions, i would welcome them.

	KO Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: These people are scam artists through and through. My last statement shows that I was $44 over limit, thanks to their late fee. Min payment due is shown as $64, but I get calls at least five times a day stating that I need to send them $160, which they explain as Overlimit AMOUNT, Min Due, Overlimit FEE, LATE FEE (I'm not late!!) and all sorts of other fees. I tell them that when my account is 30 days PAST DUE, then they can call me. They have also said that if my payment arrives one day PAST THE DUE DATE I AM 30 DAYS PAST DUE. Following that logic, one would have to make a payment to them on a daily basis to not be past due on an account. When I ask if my account is past due, they say no, but its over the limit and can I pay it over the phone? I respond, "Is my account past due? The due date isn't for two more weeks!" I HATE THESE PEOPLE. I DESTROYED MY CARD MONTHS AGO, AND CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE THEM PAID OFF. STEER CLEAR OF THIS CARD AND TELL ALL YOUR F! RIENDS AND FAMILY THE SAME THING!

	Fuming but hoping for a Victory OH Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank; et al. Complaint: I am writing in regards to a very recent incident involving a collection agency that had purchased an old Direct Merchants Credit Card Bank account I held with them. [I will leave out all pertinent data, such as my account number, social security number for security reasons]...This account dated back to 1999, but the collection agency who purchased it "revived" it, taking actions with a court order and garnishments against my bank account in 2005... Case in Point: I certainly am 100% disabled...I can prove this with all letters, statements I have secured by the Social Security Administration, and through General Electric, my former employer..I have been formally retired on disability since November 1, 1999, and termed as "100% disabled" by the Social Security Administration since March 12, 1999. ALL monies that resided in the bank, National City Bank since the year 2000 have been disability funds, and GE disability pensions. Monthly bank statements I have saved also provides these facts of deposits [credits] I am not a married woman. I am single.I have no children. I live alone. My bank account is a checking account, solely in my name, and my disability funds are not commingled along with any other funds. On November 3, 2005, early in the afternoon, I went online to check my bank account amount...it was down to $.01 !!...a penny...On Wednesday, November 2, there was in excess of $700.00 in that account! I scanned the Account Activity option and found these two transactions: 11/03/2005 CASHED CHECK-BRANCH Check XXXXXX $50.00 [bank fee] 11/03/2005 CASHED CHECK-BRANCH Check XXXXXX $397.67[garnishment] I couldn't for the life of me figure out where they came from..My first thought was someone had stolen, or forged something, somehow...I called the bank in a frantic state, and it was explained to me that those two transactions were in fact, garnishments....My ENTIRE bank account credits [deposits] are due to disability pensions/awards... In my particular state, [Ohio] and most others, disability monies in accounts are EXEMPT from judgements such as credit card companies...The customer service representative offered the law firm's phone number who had this judgement and I called them. It was in fact a law firm that represented a collection agency that "ordered" this garnishment. Evidently, the creditors had taken a court judgement out on me and won..[this supposedly took place in April of this year]..I honestly don't remember being informed about a court hearing this past April, or a judgement taken against me...I found absolutely NO copy of this court order in my home, let alone remember ever receiving one. The man I spoke to representing this law firm for the collection agency was very snippy while I explained that he had in fact seized disability funds..he said "prove it"..."prove you're disabled"..."go to court, re-open this case up, and explain to the court that all the money you have is due to a disability" "I know a LOT of people on disability who pay their bills, so don't give me that crap."... Needless to say, I got busy very quickly, and cancelled ALL EFT transfers and requested snail mail bills from anyone who gets a monthly payment via this bank account..I called the Social Security Administration and next month's check will be arriving via snail mail..[which I have already received, using it to pay all my bills until the end of December]..I printed out a form for cancelling my Employer's disability pension from direct deposit to this bank. This disability pension will also be arriving via snail mail.[That one arrives the first of each month and will also be kept OUT of this account] On the very same afternoon of November 3rd, I called the County courthouse, common pleas, civil branch to inquire about this action of garnishment. It was explained to me that a judgement had in fact been taken out against me in April, 2005 through CCS Group, Successor in interest to Direct Merchants Credit Card bank. On November 10th, 2005, I received a copy of this judgement via Postal services, regular mail. I discovered two different communications I had saved regarding Direct Merchants Credit Card bank, and circumstances surrounding the Account Protection Plus benefit I held with my Direct Merchant's account. I had this Account Protection Plus option on my account from the very beginning with Direct Merchants, and paid for its premium monthly, as it was configured into the "minimum monthly due" amount. When it came time to use it due to my disability, I was denied for the following reason[s]: /quote: "The reason for denial of benefits is that we received the disability form but it was not accompanied by the physician's letterhead letter stating your name and length of disability." /unquote This letter of denial is dated January 14, 2000. Five+ years later, I am being sued by a collection agency who purchased this old debt for pennies on the dollar and ballooned it to a whopping $9,020.59, due to additional fees, court expenses, etc. On November 29th, 2005, I will be going before the Magistrate in my County courthouse, re-opening this case to present my proof why these funds should not be considered for garnishment. The Bank I have my checking account with hasn't received one red cent in deposits since this garnishment occurred, and will be paid off and closed once that order of garnishment is reversed by the Magistrate, and I have received the reimbursement for these ill-gotten funds...I imagine there will be a 15 day holding period before I am reimbursed my monies.

	Anonymous Complaint_against: direct merchants bank/ccs group Complaint: 3 years ago i recieved a letter in the mail from direct merchants bank. informing me that my account has been placed in collections. i called them and asked whatb is with this as my account only had a 234.00 balance and was in perfect standing. they checked my ss and account # and said so sorry, wrong person .belongs to someone who used to live at my addresse at that time i aked for a letter stating this mistake for my records. the said ok will send letter asap. after several weeks no letter did follow up call was told that this is not there policy to write letters. WELL GUESS WHATS ON MY CREDIT REPORT. called dmsc they said cannot help no longer in system(quote yuo need to contact CCS GROUP to arange patment plan i told them its not my f@#### account they put me on hold and hung up. wrote letter to CCS GROUP to no avail even sent registered letter hoping to get someone to sign for it but quess what no one to sign beacuse they hide behind a po box. i cannot get the credit score i deserve i am so frustrated. it still shows up trans union will no! t help heres the wild part CCS GROUP dosent even call me to try and collect i wish they would so i could get someone there to listen to me compare ss # and get this fixed. i am being denied fair credit in ohio wich i believe is illegal. can anybody out there help.

	Cat Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: I have to wonder how fraudulent Direct Merchants Bank is going to get? I have a DMB credit card with them and have had nothing but problems. First they claimed I was $47 past due on my account but when I logged online to my account it said I was $16 past due so I paid it. Then the customer service people started harassing me by calling me 10 times in one day insisting I pay a past due amount (I ended up past due because of problems accessing my account online and reported the problem to customer service who insisted that nothing was wrong). When I got the first harassing phone call, the rude customer service person claimed I was $47 past due and that it had been more than 30 days (only it was more like 5 days after the supposed due date). After hanging up with that customer service person telling them I don't owe any money and that I keep records to prove I am up to date, I get another call 5 minutes later from the same person at Direct Merchant's Bank who said I owed more ! than $70. Each time I talked with a customer service person that day the amount kept going up. After complaining that these calls are harassing, Direct Merchants Bank lowered my credit limit from $2400 to $1800 and that I have only $200 left for a credit limit. When I asked why they did it without notifying me there response was "we can change anyone's limit at any time we want." This seems rather interesting timing and happens after a customer complains. When I tried to pay the $47 they claimed I was past do on for over a month (last payment date was January 31st and online it said I was only $16 past due which I paid on Feb. 6th which is not 30 days past due but only 5 or 6 days past due) the system would not accept my payment within 5 days of a different payment. First they strong arm me to get me to pay an amount I don't owe and then when we you decide to pay they won't take your money. If you do it over the phone they charge you an extra fee to do it. This is some scam they have going on. First you dispute the charge and then they come up with some bogus claim of being 30 days past due and change your limit without notification and no doubt tripling the finance charges and annual interest rate. Apparently they don't want happy customers because this card seems like nothing more than a scam. DMB claims to value their customers but I don't feel like that at all. Their customer service is rude and obnoxious and when you dispute a bill they double or triple what they say you owe. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau regarding this matter and let them know that but customer service seemed unconcerned. I won't be using this card anymore since the company is obviously owned by loan sharks. I think it is disgusting for them to change the limit so it makes you look like you have almost maxed out the card so your credit rating is ruined. DMB should be ashamed of themselves and I am going to tell everyone I know not to use DMB for their credit card needs. It is obvious they seem to enjoy defrauding and cheating their customers in order to make money.

	Anonymous Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: I had a problem with Direct Merchants Bank Card. I paid my regular amount that was due online and then got calls from Direct Merchants Bank claiming I was past due but when I disputed the amount, I kept getting calls 10 times a day from them claiming I owed them money. With each customer service person I talked to, the amount they claimed I owed kept getting bigger. They also changed my credit limit without notifying me (I eventually got a letter from them saying they did but that was long after the fact it was first discovered). These guys are rip-off artists and now they have sent a collection agency after me which did nothing but harrass me and resorted to calling me names on the phone. The collection agency rep even called me a child as well as unprofessional and pressed me as to why I shouldn't have to pay my bills. Pretty much this nasty little man from the collection agency (which he failed to say which one he worked for) was rude, obnoxious and was the one acting unprofessionally. I pretty much told him to stop calling me and to take the past due he claimed I owed and to stick up his ass as even when I tried to explain things to him he didn't want to hear it. When I informed him that the Comptroller Of The Currency (The part of the Federal Government that oversees banks, credit card companies and collection agencies) was handling this issue this bill collector then says "don't blame the federal government for you not paying your bills." This was an obvious sign that this guy had no interest in hearing what I had to say. 3 days later however I get yet another bill from Direct Merchants Bank which says I am now past due over $200. Which means, despite their error, they are trying to charge me even more for an amount I dispute. Apparently, Direct Merchants Bank has no interest in correcting their mistakes but instead wants to force the customer to pay outrageous amounts they don't owe. If you get a card offer in the mail from them tear it up. Direct Merchants is now owned by HSBC which is a predatory lender. So beware.

	John Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: I had two cards from Direct Merchants Bank. A couple years ago I canceled both cards because of the shady business practices from DMB. I paid my wives card off in a few months and put a big down payment on the other. I have continued to make extra payments trying to Weddle the amount down. I have found that as I try and work the amount down they continue to raise the interest rate I pay so I do not seem to be getting anywhere. I called and complained. I was told that the interest rates were a direct reflection of the interest rate the government was setting. So I asked if that was the case why didn't my interest rate go down when the FED's lowered the rates. I was told I had to call and ask to have my rates lowered. So I asked if they would lower my rates and I was told NO. I want to see them go out of business. If anyone can point me in the right direction to complain or file some sort of suit please feel free to email me at jhartman24@neo.rr.com

	AM Complaint_against: Diret Merchants Bank Complaint: I just opened an account with this company a few months ago. I used it 3 times. In May I signed up for online banking with them to pay my bill. After attempting several times to put my bank account information in I thought that I finally had it right. Proceeded to make a payment and it showed as accepting it. 3 weeks later I went to use my card on a purchase and it was rejected. I knew that my credit limit wasn't even near being maxed out. NO ONE contacted me to let me know it was rejected! They just said "we usually send a letter out telling you that there is an NSF on your account, but for some reason we didn't". So I immediately called them to see what was wrong. They said that I had a returned check. I explained that I had paid online and how could that be. So after checking my account they determined it was because I had put my incorrect banking information in. I then tried to do it online again and called this company while doing it. They said that I had forgotten to put the name bank in. So we corrected that and I attempted to make another payment. It was finally accepted. I looked online at my statement and they charged me $35 for NSF fees. I called and they said that it was because my payment was returned. I explained why it was returned and that it was not due to my error but their website. They said to send a letter in. I did and never received a response. So I called them and they said it was in review. Few days later, I attempted to use my card and it was declined. Called them and they said that there was a hold on my account due to the NSF. I said that you! have got to be kidding me. I have great credit and always pay me bills on time and this was an error and you are treating me like a bad child! I e-mailed the company and told them that if they do not remove the $35 NSF fee and if they do not take the hold off of my account they can close it! They closed my account and no apology was forthcoming. SO BEWARE- THIS CREDIT CARD COMPANY LACKS ANY CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY ARE MONEY HUNGRY!

	Anonymous EmailAddress: havanajerry@yahoo.com Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: I went over my credit limit by $7. Because it was just before my billing cycle ended, DMB charged my account $78 in over limit fees: 2 at $39. One for being over at the end of the billing cycle (only AFTER finance charges were added) and the second because I started the NEXT billing cycle over my limit. Even though my account is in good standing, they would not remove either fee even though it never went over before. Also, their website seems to purposely omit the posting of these fees. These do not show under "Recent Transactions" and are listed until the statement closes. What can I do?

	Alecia Leonetti 421 Kings Way Kalispell, MT 59901 EmailAddress: twinsmom74@iwon.com Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Credit Card Complaint: We experienced some financial problems a year ago and ended up being behind on all our bills! I called all our credit card companies and the one that was the most difficult was Direct Merchants. They wanted a HUGE payment that was impossible for us to come up with. They said if we didnt pay this there was no other option but to charge off. It went to charge off and the collection agency took over. I began getting calls all day long saying they were looking for my husband to serve him papers and were told we better get a lawyer. A few days later the same guy called and said my husband missed his court date and now the bank had no choice but to get his employer involved. I told him my husband couldnt get calls at work. He told me the bank was going to get the employer involved since my husband committed FRAUD. He then started calling his work approx. 6 times a day. The secretary finally got mad because she had told him he cant have calls at work and can not ! even be reached there as he is a truck driver and doesnt come to the office. He claimed to be the police but wouldnt leave a number or a name. She ended up calling the police. One day my husband's supervisor answered and told the guy NOT to call. He ended up in a heated agruement when the collector asked the supervisor if he was F*****g my husband!!!!!!!! I am calling an attorney! This is affecting my husbands job and I think the collector is trying to get him fired!

	Marilyn Bond Washington Complaint_against: DIRECT MERCHANT BANK Complaint: In the month of April I had made 8 pre-authorized payments which would take me into October 2006. While checking my credit report it showed a charge-off on this credit card. I tried to contact Direct Merchant they insisted that they showed payments made,I recieved no concrete answers. I complained to the credit report agency and FTC. My bank states that Direct Merchant never attempted to put through these pre-authorized checks. I recieve confirmation of payment from direct merchant each month even for September, does not make any sense. I spoke with several legal reps. they state this has to be an internal error?

	Michael A. Cedeno EmailAddress: businesscards1@yahoo.com Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: I have never had a Direct Merchants Bank credit card, however today I received a bill from a collection agency telling me that I owed a balance of $1,358. This is definitely a DMB scare tactic scam, and I plan to put it on the 6:00 news! Sincerely, Mike

	Vanessa Savannah GA Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: I am so disgusted with Direct Merchants Bank. They are nothing more than legalized loan sharks. I lost my job and have been out of work for sometime. My balance was $800.00. That balance has now turned into $7,000.00. Even though it was turned into a collection agency, the rate continues to increase. I am now being threatend with garnishment and I am only working 20 hours a week with four children. I am truly at my wits end. If anyone has any solutions to offer, please do.

	Linda EmailAddress: lindasemailaddress@gmail.com Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: In 1997, after having a Direct Merchants Bank Credit Card for a number of years and a credit limit of over $12,000 I became disabled.n I had always made payments on time and over the minimum payment. I was stricken with Multiple Sclerosis and began to fall behind in my payments. The first thing they did was raise my interest rate from 12.9% to 25%. I had carried the account ptotection on the card since I first got it and tried to use the protection to make the payments. THAT is when they told me that the account protection is only in the event of an accident..not "just because you got sick". Finally, after 2 years of hasseling back and forth, They sent me a form to fill out and I thought that was the end of it. They said that the form would allow them to "charge off" the debt. Fast Forward to 2006. I am permenantly disabled with MS and also need a kidney transplant. Still on disability and have no other income at all. I live in a small apartment ! and can barely afford to eat. Suddenly I go to my bank account and I Have a ZERO balance...why???? b/c, it seems, Direct Merchants Bank has gotten a collection agency to levy my bank account for a debt they now say is over $26,000!!! The worst of it is that the account they have put the levy against isn't even mine. I have no savings nor do I own anything. The account is actually my son's account and I am a signature on the account so I can have my monthly disability check direct deposited. So, the money they have frozen is my SON'S money, not mine. Every month my disability check is direct deposited and he writes a check to get me the cash so I can pay my rent and other bills. Needless to say, he can't afford to lose the $900 they have frozen in the account. Do I have any recourse??? Can they take my disability?? I have absolutely nothing to my name and only disability to live on. Social services won't even give me food stamps....how do I pay for my medicine?? nHo! w can I stop this???

	Christina Newfer 200th Ave MI 49421 EmailAddress: photos_by_chris@yahoo.com Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: My husband and I had a joint account with Direct Merchants Bank a couple of years ago. We tried to make payment arrangements on multiple attempts and they would not accept a $25.00 payment, They wanted more. My balance at that time was almost $5,000.00 it has now risen to nearly $8,000.00 with court cost, fees, interest etc.It was then sent to a collection agency and the same thing happened. We starting getting repeated nasty phone calls demanding money.We tried to set up a payment arrangment over the phone and they wouldn't accept the arrangments that we were able to make a the time.Then it went to a lawyer and the lawyer was even worse. I tried to talk to the lawyer in a nice manner to set up a payment and they wanted it iin full. They wouldn't accept any amount of payment from us. They called again and I had my husband talk to the lawyer and the same thing happened. They were very nasty and rude on the phone-demanding payment in full. They would not accept a pa! yment plan. Then it was sent to another lawyers office. I received a letter stating that they wanted payment in full no payment arrangments would be accepted. On 11/08/06 I received a summons from the courthouse and I responded with a letter that was sent on 11/18/06 stating that I am on Long Term Disability and I have the only source of income for my family. Then on 12/10 I received a Civil Judgement from the court house stating that I had 21 days to pay in full $7,902.08. On 1/05/07, I sent a letter to the courthouse and the lawyer stating that I wasn't sure if my letter had crossed in the mail, that I wasn't given the opportunity to attend a court hearing to defend my case. On 01/17/07,The next phone call I get is from my bank, stating that all of my funds have been depleted from all of my accounts and my account is frozen and I have no access to any of my money the credit card company: Direct Merchants has garnished my accounts. Now I will be filing an objection to the g! arnishment and request a hearing.

	Rabbit Los Angeles Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: Keep your eye on EVERY statement from Direct Merchants Bank. They reserve the right to raise your rate for any reason, and like so many others have reported, they will. They've been jacking my rate every other month. I call, they offer me a promotional rate, but it doesn't appear on my account. I call back, they say they have no record of the previous conversation. This has happened THREE TIMES with these clowns. You can probably save money by moving your balance to any other bank (except CitiBank, who aided and abetted Enron --won't do business with them). I moved my Direct Merchants Bank balance this week.

	Anonymous Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: They have payment due dates on Saturday. But they know full well that if you pay on that day you will be given a late fee. Poor ethics IMHO. The due date should be either Friday or Sunday. Oh well I guess just another tricky example you have to watch out for when dealing with the SHARKS!
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	Gregg Hollywood, FL 33021 Complaint_against: Direct Merchants Bank Complaint: I have a credit card that I only charge $20 a month on. I send $100 and usually have a credit balance. I make the HUGE MISTAKE of not noticing that I used up my credit balance. I get a letter saying I am late. I send $100 but it gets there too late. ALL 3 CREDIT AGENCIES ARE REPORTED FOR BEING 30 DAYS LATE I plead with them to remove them from the report. That I do not have any problem paying, I just didn't open the mail. I owed them $40 when I became 30 days late. They charged me $80 in late fees and put it on my credit report. Something has to be done about this. They have my phone number. They have my email address. It's $20!!!!! This will end up costing me THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS in interest rate hikes, and everything else that gets affected when this Happens. Why not care enough to avoid the damages they cause me and others. Anyone with ideas? I want to fight them. I will fight this. It is wrong. It makes people want to break the law to get back. Wonder why there is so much credit card fraud. Maybe people who have been reuined by credit card companies just want to get back.