January musings and a grand day out
10 years ago
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
The LETTER (first draft)
As promised in the previous post, here's the letter I'm going to send to the bank, and possibly a "few" other places... Comments welcome, either as comments to the blog, or e-mailed directly to me.
Re: Bank of America card ending in xxxx
Cardholder: Linda M. Easterbrooks Full Credit Card Number:
I hereby REJECT the cash advance annual percentage rate increase.
I hereby REJECT the default pricing change.
I hereby request a COMPLETE copy of the current cardmember terms, in one document. I will not accept a copy of terms with additional sheets of changes.
I am sending this to the address noted to reject these changes, and the address listed for other correspondence.
I am also sending a copy, with the credit card number removed, to the co-signer of the account, and to other parties whom I believe may be interested. This may or may not include my local congressional representatives, both senators and representatives, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Better Business Bureau, or other agencies or persons whom I believe may have influence in the financial industry. I may or may not include a copy of your original letter, and I may or may not post a copy of your original letter, this letter, or other commentary to my blog on-line.
The manner in which this notification was received is deceptive and unacceptable. I received a 4x8 envelope (made from single square sheet of paper folded to create an envelope), sent by bulk mail. This envelope, despite the statement printed that says "IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS TO YOUR CREDIT CARD AGREEMENT", looks very similar to the many pieces of junk mail that I receive. (The stamp area, which is not cancelled, simply says "PRSRT STD / U.S. Postage / PAID / FIA Card Services")
These changes are completely unacceptable to me. The interest rate for default pricing is listed as variable, with the rate as of July 31, 2007 being 32.24%. I find it hard to believe that this rate is legal! The fact that it is on the bottom of page 2 is also annoying, as is the fact that this change will occur without further notice under the circumstances. The cash advance price of 24.99% is also unreasonable. If I still had the balance on this card, I could never make the payments at that interest rate.
I believe that the changes you have made are probably legal, but definitely not reasonable. I will be suggesting to my legislators and others that they consider some changes to banking regulations, including but not limited to, that notices of changes to the terms of an account:
* must be made using first class mail (possibly certified or registered mail)
* must contain a list of the changed terms, with both old and new terms listed clearly.
* must include a new copy of the complete terms of the account.
Sincerely,
Linda M. Easterbrooks
Re: Bank of America card ending in xxxx
Cardholder: Linda M. Easterbrooks Full Credit Card Number:
I hereby REJECT the cash advance annual percentage rate increase.
I hereby REJECT the default pricing change.
I hereby request a COMPLETE copy of the current cardmember terms, in one document. I will not accept a copy of terms with additional sheets of changes.
I am sending this to the address noted to reject these changes, and the address listed for other correspondence.
I am also sending a copy, with the credit card number removed, to the co-signer of the account, and to other parties whom I believe may be interested. This may or may not include my local congressional representatives, both senators and representatives, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Better Business Bureau, or other agencies or persons whom I believe may have influence in the financial industry. I may or may not include a copy of your original letter, and I may or may not post a copy of your original letter, this letter, or other commentary to my blog on-line.
The manner in which this notification was received is deceptive and unacceptable. I received a 4x8 envelope (made from single square sheet of paper folded to create an envelope), sent by bulk mail. This envelope, despite the statement printed that says "IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS TO YOUR CREDIT CARD AGREEMENT", looks very similar to the many pieces of junk mail that I receive. (The stamp area, which is not cancelled, simply says "PRSRT STD / U.S. Postage / PAID / FIA Card Services")
These changes are completely unacceptable to me. The interest rate for default pricing is listed as variable, with the rate as of July 31, 2007 being 32.24%. I find it hard to believe that this rate is legal! The fact that it is on the bottom of page 2 is also annoying, as is the fact that this change will occur without further notice under the circumstances. The cash advance price of 24.99% is also unreasonable. If I still had the balance on this card, I could never make the payments at that interest rate.
I believe that the changes you have made are probably legal, but definitely not reasonable. I will be suggesting to my legislators and others that they consider some changes to banking regulations, including but not limited to, that notices of changes to the terms of an account:
* must be made using first class mail (possibly certified or registered mail)
* must contain a list of the changed terms, with both old and new terms listed clearly.
* must include a new copy of the complete terms of the account.
Sincerely,
Linda M. Easterbrooks
Credit Card Outrage
I am AT IT AGAIN! I am OUTRAGED at the notice that I just received in the mail from Bank of America about a credit card I have. I am working on my response letter now, but thought I'd take a break and BLOG about it.
The notice arrived in a larger envelope than business sized, the same size that most junk-type mail comes in. The letter itself said that an important notice in change of terms was included. It also had a paragraph about New Offers, one about on-line convenience, one about helpful tips and benefits, which are on the reverse of the letter.
However, the oversized fine print sheet of important notice of change in terms included some substantial rate increases! The APR for cash advances is changing to 24.99%, and the default pricing APR is a variable rate with a margin of up to 23.99 percentage points - your example states that as of July 31, 2007, that would be an ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of 32.24%
I am following the instructions in the letter to reject these changes. It's kind of funny, I should just let it go, since I have been planning to cancel this account anyway. I initially got the account as a 0% balance transfer, to give us some breathing room on some debt. I was not happy at the outset, as the initial transfer fee was higher than I expected, but I needed to do it at the time. It was an offer I'd received through AAA, provided by MBNA, both companies that I thought I would trust, not some "fly by night" type of bank. Unfortunately, MBNA sold the account off to Bank of America, and the changes keep rolling in.
If I had not had the option this spring of paying off this card entirely, I'd be in serious trouble now trying to pay it with the higher interest rates!!! The APR on that cash advance part was about 14%, so jumping the rate by 10% would have been a huge change!
I will post the letter I send... I am working on the vague fine print to include in it now. :) It ust amazes me that the credit card industry is allowed to do this. I seem to recall that it was illegal to charge that much interest, and that only loan sharks would charge over 30%. I guess times have changed!
The notice arrived in a larger envelope than business sized, the same size that most junk-type mail comes in. The letter itself said that an important notice in change of terms was included. It also had a paragraph about New Offers, one about on-line convenience, one about helpful tips and benefits, which are on the reverse of the letter.
However, the oversized fine print sheet of important notice of change in terms included some substantial rate increases! The APR for cash advances is changing to 24.99%, and the default pricing APR is a variable rate with a margin of up to 23.99 percentage points - your example states that as of July 31, 2007, that would be an ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE of 32.24%
I am following the instructions in the letter to reject these changes. It's kind of funny, I should just let it go, since I have been planning to cancel this account anyway. I initially got the account as a 0% balance transfer, to give us some breathing room on some debt. I was not happy at the outset, as the initial transfer fee was higher than I expected, but I needed to do it at the time. It was an offer I'd received through AAA, provided by MBNA, both companies that I thought I would trust, not some "fly by night" type of bank. Unfortunately, MBNA sold the account off to Bank of America, and the changes keep rolling in.
If I had not had the option this spring of paying off this card entirely, I'd be in serious trouble now trying to pay it with the higher interest rates!!! The APR on that cash advance part was about 14%, so jumping the rate by 10% would have been a huge change!
I will post the letter I send... I am working on the vague fine print to include in it now. :) It ust amazes me that the credit card industry is allowed to do this. I seem to recall that it was illegal to charge that much interest, and that only loan sharks would charge over 30%. I guess times have changed!
Monday, October 1, 2007
My next project...
My next great project is my Digital Photography class, which I am currently preparing to teach through our local Adult Ed. I have an outline, now I need to develop the hand-outs that I want to distribute to the class.
I use Kodak EasyShare software. I like it, it is very easy to use. On the other hand, now that I've gotten a couple years worth of photos into it, it's starting to get harder to find anything in it!
That's the biggest problem with digital photos - how easy it is to overload yourself with the photos! I have some sets of pictures copied several times onto my computer - but I'm afraid to delete in case the "sets" aren't identical!
I am also planning to discuss Picasa. If anyone has any other photo management software that they recommend, please send me an e-mail! I'd be interested - both for class presentation, and to possibly use it myself! :)
I use Kodak EasyShare software. I like it, it is very easy to use. On the other hand, now that I've gotten a couple years worth of photos into it, it's starting to get harder to find anything in it!
That's the biggest problem with digital photos - how easy it is to overload yourself with the photos! I have some sets of pictures copied several times onto my computer - but I'm afraid to delete in case the "sets" aren't identical!
I am also planning to discuss Picasa. If anyone has any other photo management software that they recommend, please send me an e-mail! I'd be interested - both for class presentation, and to possibly use it myself! :)
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Trying to Tell my Travel Tale
Ok, I have tried SEVERAL times to do this. Gotta stop hitting the "BACK" button, it makes me lose EVERYTHING! And trying to delete an extra space kept removing a picture... just more aggravating things. Hopefully it won't take me this long to post every time I try!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway... I wanted to tell the tale of the trip to Boston. A friend and I went to a 2-day conference on Asperger's Syndrome. We stayed at a Quality Inn in Lexington, and took the T in and out of Boston each day. The hotel was lovely... did anyone hear Karen scream when we got there??? :) No, there wasn't really any screaming - but since she's not exactly a SpongeBob fan, she was a little horrified! I just thought it was funny... wished I'd had my cable to connect my camera to the computer and e-mail these pics to the kids that day. But now I can share with the WORLD with this Blog, right?? :)
It was a very comfy room. Thanks very much Cousin Sara for helping me with reservations and rate! In addition to the SpongeBob bedspreads, pillows, framed posters, wallpaper border, curtain, shower curtain, and trash can, it even had this LOVELY lamp that I had to put on the FLOOR to be able to sleep at night! But it also had microwave and fridge, iron and ironing board, lots of good stuff!
Anyway... I'm going to PUBLISH this before I have any more troubles... More on the conference later!
Anyway... I wanted to tell the tale of the trip to Boston. A friend and I went to a 2-day conference on Asperger's Syndrome. We stayed at a Quality Inn in Lexington, and took the T in and out of Boston each day. The hotel was lovely... did anyone hear Karen scream when we got there??? :) No, there wasn't really any screaming - but since she's not exactly a SpongeBob fan, she was a little horrified! I just thought it was funny... wished I'd had my cable to connect my camera to the computer and e-mail these pics to the kids that day. But now I can share with the WORLD with this Blog, right?? :) 
It was a very comfy room. Thanks very much Cousin Sara for helping me with reservations and rate! In addition to the SpongeBob bedspreads, pillows, framed posters, wallpaper border, curtain, shower curtain, and trash can, it even had this LOVELY lamp that I had to put on the FLOOR to be able to sleep at night! But it also had microwave and fridge, iron and ironing board, lots of good stuff! Anyway... I'm going to PUBLISH this before I have any more troubles... More on the conference later!
Traveling Fun!
** Jan 2023: Oh, look! I had a saved draft of the post I eventually published. I've decided to publish all old drafts, just for fun! SO here it is. For the full post, continue on to the next one!
Ok, this seemed like a good way to be able to tell about my latest travel adventure. I went to Boston to a conference on Asperger Syndrome.
It was comfy, though. And had fridge, microwave, coffee maker, iron, ironing board... lots of good stuff! We stayed outside of Boston, in Lexington, a
x I went with a friend, who was quite horrified to see our hotel room... Cute, isn't it??? :) I guess they will be marketing it to kids...
It was comfy, though. And had fridge, microwave, coffee maker, iron, ironing board... lots of good stuff! Saturday, July 14, 2007
Just Starting
Ok, this is so simple that I have to try it. I didn't even have to create an account, I just logged in with my GMail account. :)
I don't know that anyone really cares what happens in my life, but I'll tell you anyway.
(Ok, not so simple. won't let me use an exclamation point. I'm getting there.)
I don't know that anyone really cares what happens in my life, but I'll tell you anyway.
(Ok, not so simple. won't let me use an exclamation point. I'm getting there.)
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