First Equity Card Credit card company failed to mail the first bill; after payment received they charged fees and closed account Columbus Georgia

Recently we responded to promotional letter from First Equity Card and applied for their business cards for our small business. Shortly after that we received our 3 business cards. It was sometime in July 2007. Everything was good until September, when one cardholder noticed that card is no longer working. I called customer service on Sep. 05, 2007 and learned that account was closed because bank did not receive our payment. I told customer service representative that we never received their first bill. Representative was polite and understandable. We arranged an immediate full payment of $2,719.26 over the phone, and they agreed to remove late payment fee and waive fee for processing over the phone. I was assured that our cards will be working again. However, on September 10th payment by First Equity credit card was declined again. I called customer service and learned that in spite of receipt the payment, card was closed following the corporate policy. On Sep. 11 I faxed First Equity Card a letter, explaining the situation. I called them again on Sep. 14, and customer service rep. confirmed that they have received the fax, but did not change their decision. I talked to supervisor, and she confirmed that the only way for us to get an active account is to re-apply for a new card. I also learned that we have a remaining balance of $30.52. I do not know how it was added to our account after payment in full on Sep. 05. That is probably some fee First Equity decided to charge us. I decided to pay it immediately in full again over the phone, and stop any their future demands about payment. They accepted my payment, and charged $10.00 for processing over the phone. We are convinced that First Equity Card failed to mail their first bill to us. They did not pay attention to our explanation and were not willing to talk to us about their mistake. We request First Equity Card to reinstate our accounts and credit all fees they charge to us.

Alex
Falls Church, Virginia
U.S.A.