New Sears/Mastercard harrassment?

Question

Ok folks..the last time I used my Sears (store only) card was to buy tires about 4 years ago. I didn't know they merged with CitiCorp and now have a Sears Mastercard. My account was inactive since I only use it for tires.

Suddenly I get a bill for 'account care' which I never had. Got that straight. Then a bill for $16 so I went ahead a paid it. They sent me a gold Mastercard which I didn't want and I have NOT activated it. Now a bill for late fees. This is ridiculous.

I know, I need to call them (once again) and be transferred to fifty different people. I will do that but I was wondering if anyone else has run into this problem. God, I hate money.

**** Additional details

Well, my friends...you both gave great answers. I did call them and go through the maze...it is amazing how much money they make by sneaking these sorts of things into our lives.

I was polite with them and they actually OFFERED to call the credit bureaus to straighten this out. I hadn't even thought that this would be reported.

My one credit card that I've been trying to pay down is enough of a headache. I cancelled Sears and they told me I'd never be able to open that account again. I laughed out loud. Yeah, breaks my heart. Good luck in life to you both. And thanks for the answers.

Answer 1

Oh yeah, this stuff happens all the time. Best to suck it up and call them. Usually they will fix it, but it does take going through their phone maze. I can see them laughing, "Dance little gerbil, HA HA HA!". grrr.

Banks have made record profits in recent years by thinking of new charges and fees to squeeze out of customers. I read their annual reports, and am kind of disgusted by how much money they make doing stuff like this.

There recently was a guy who testified about this in front of congress who had a 3,000 dollar balance on his credit card, and got sick and couldn't pay, then over the course of 7 years or so, ended up paying $6,000 worth of penalties and fees and STILL owed the original balance plus some. Oddly enough, after he testified in front of Congress, the bank decided that they would be "nice" and forgive the debt. I noticed that they didn't give any of the money back.

I am as much of a capitalist as anyone, but there are times when businesses lose sight of ethics and give in to greed.

Good luck in trying to get this fixed.

Answer 2

Yes. Back in olden times I used to have a Sears card that I never carried a balance on. This card was like all department stores cards at the time and had a 22% interest rate. I only used the card when I could pay the entire balance. I forgot that I even had that card. I received a Sears Gold mastercard and the interest was supposedly 8.5%. I used the card for awhile and lo and behold, I looked at my monthly bill and I was being charged interest at 22%. Called Sears and was told that when you get a new card, if you had an old card, the prior interest rate applies. I cancelled the card. Paid them off. And what should appear on my credit report but a balance to Sears of 2000 but no activity on the account. I had requested cancellation and had been paid off for over two years. In applying for a new mortage, I was told I had 3 active credit cards. I only use two. Sears never showed my account as closed or paid off. They put the account in inactive status but still showed the old balance and that the card was still open. When I called this time, I stated that I wanted a letter in writing that my account was paid off and closed. They did send me this letter. Hope I am done with them.