Im currently working on rebuilding my credit and in the mail last week I received a pre-approval through Aspen mastercard. I filled out the online application and was approved, I received my card 7 days later and paid the ncessary $20 activation fee. Im now worried I entered into something bad. I noticed that the actual card is missing the signature Mastercard engraving "M" (look on any mastercard in your wallet/purse, there is an engraving of the letter "m" by the mastercard logo). Also, the website is lacking any real info about the company.
I read the welcome packet and it says the card was issued by First Bank and Trust in Brookings, SD. I checked their site and they have no info on such a card. Im really worried this is a ripoff and they have all my personal info including bank account numbers. Does anyone else have this card or can offer some advice?
(through other web searches, i noticed other people claim this card also goes by the name "freedom card mastercard")
2006-06-20 13:46:33 · 13 answers · asked by brad h 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Credit
you should never pay an activation fee
that's a rip off
you could take it to your bank and ask their advice on it
2006-06-20 13:52:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
As one already said, never pay an activation fee. YOu should always read the credit card rules as well. You may be paying an activation fee plus a service fee for having a card and the card may not be a real mastercard. or you may not have a real limit. THe limit you have may be the total price of the fees and you cannot charge anything on it at all until these "fees" are paid. NEVER accept something that only says "a gold card". It is usually a card for a catalog-very misleading. Call the "First Bank and Trust " and learn alot by asking some questions. Ask questions like, do you issue mastercards for XXX ??? or act dumb and ask them do they have your account number...and if they say no, tell them you have an account with Aspen...and see who they give you to call for more into.
2006-06-20 17:30:49 · answer #2 · answered by L B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that $20 is generous; considering that gas prices have come down drastically. I would first try to offer the money and explain that it is payment for her assistance. If she refuses, wait a few days and then leave the money somewhere in the car (without her knowing), but make sure it is a place that she'll find it. Even if she doesn't find it for a few weeks, and doesn't know where it came from, you'll feel better that she has it. Good Luck!
2016-05-20 06:44:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too have received an aspen card. I know that they charge 14.95 to make a phone payment, which I thought was unbelievable. I have used the card for several months now and have no real problems with it being accepted or them receiving payments. I know that they are for people with not so good credit like myself. But as far as them not being legitimate I havent found any reason yet to think so. I have an email address for them and a couple of corresponsance addresses if you need them reply back, and also if you hear anything that you might think is questionable Please, please let me know. Thankyou very much, Cathi Laughlin clynnl05@sbcglobal.net
2006-06-22 11:36:53 · answer #4 · answered by cathi l 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
credit card do not ask for your bank account info. if the charge for open a credit card ... it will be 40 50 or 60. I don't know why U want to pay for to open the credit card. you can get free with many company out there.
North trom visa card company is very good I open at 2000 credit 6 month I got to 3500. after one year I apay all the time they look and judge at my payment all the time they give me 9000 credit line yes nine thousand dollars. and you earn point for every dollar you use and 2000 pts get 20 dollars to spend at north trom
wamu.com is belong to washington Mutual Bank free credit card
they give you few benefit
discover card .com give you earn pts as well they have promotion every 3 months. currently I have promotion that give me 5percent back for pump gas
American express is hard to get but also give you points
Pay Pal also give you point
but I recommend : north trom visa, discover, (you can exchange for gift certifate for lobster gram or red lobster restaurant etc. ) and Wamu.com credit card that I bank with they give you access to your fico score.
GOOD LUCK FRIEND.
visit my site: makesaveinc.com or email makesave@yahoo.com if you need further help I will try to help if I could. If those credit card give you like 200 dollars or 500 dallars to start. take it. use it and pay on time. your credit will go up. After apply for those 3 or 4 then report Fraut alert right away. you can ask Equifax to send you credit report 800-685-1111
call Experian 1888 397 3742 and ask them to put fraud alert on they will link to other 2.. Creditwatch.equifax.com good luck
That 's all the card you need.
Hieu
2006-06-20 18:31:34 · answer #5 · answered by Hieu D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
South Dakota. Believe it or not is the credit card capital of America. Most credit card processing centers are based out of there. When I started working at my old company Norwest(Now Wells Fargo) their credit card operations were based out of South Dakota as well. Over the years I have learned that the operations of many credit card companies(Not headquarters but processing and payment centers) are in South Dakota. Why? I have no idea. Maybe it is cheaper in SD to do business.
2006-06-20 16:21:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a Master Card and "M" is genuine, issued by my bank. Your card is probably real, but check out the Annual Percentage Rate in the paperwork. I bet it is around 35%! Think twice before activating it, perhaps you can get your money back if you do not activate it.
2006-06-20 13:56:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEVER answer those applications in the mail!!! I receive like 10 of those a week and they are all FAKE..
I would ONLY apply at the bank or online of a reputable bank..
Bank Of America
Citibank
US Bank
Washington Mutual
ETC
2006-06-20 18:08:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most likely you got ripped off. There are no activation fees for credit cards. You can try to report it to the FBI internet crimes division. They will investigate and potentially get your money back. Don't get your hopes up about getting your money back though but they will investigate. I've included the FBI web address. Hope the info helped.
2006-06-20 14:05:13 · answer #9 · answered by Ren 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any activation fee or annual fee is a ripoff. No reputable companies charge these fees - they make enough off of you in interest.
Watch your bank account daily. And put a message on your credit report about your concerns.
2006-06-20 13:55:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
by personal experience....never do that.....send money to something you didnt research....
this guy in tx...was selling a picture of a president on copper plating for $100.....thousands of ppl sent this guy this money...you know what they got in the mail.....A PENNY!!!
So research b4 u jump into anything next time :)
2006-06-20 13:53:31 · answer #11 · answered by Sugar_Plumzz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋