HSBC, Orchard Bank LEADERS IN CREDIT CARD PREDATORY LENDING Salinas California

DATE: 10 / 2005 my house of 6 years was in the first stage of foreclosure due to a loss of employment. Needless to say all my credit cards (now in default) were not extending me any credit. Before being laid off my credit rating was AAA. But I digress, this application for a credit card comes in the mail, I thought wow so I called in and was accepted. The card came in the mail and I thought I should take it out for a spin. This particular card had a $300 limit which I was fully aware of. With a few purchases I was very careful not to exceed it.

My bill comes in the mail for $275 just like I thought, that's what I owed. I sent the payment IN FULL seven days after it came. The next months bill was quite a surprise, Orchard Bank said my payment was late so..I owed them $40 for a late fee, but, because of the late fee, I was over the $300 limit so I owe an extra $40 for going over the limit! At this point in my credit crisis I was in no condition to fight them. I paid the amount due, on time and in full. I never heard from them again, I thought because I sold the house and moved, had a P.O. Box for a few months, and basically knew they are predatory lenders (and I became the prey) I kept the card in my wallet thinking I was in good standings and might need it for renting a car or something. The story should end here but doesn't.

DATE: 2 / 2007 not using the card since my fleecing and now employed I stupidly tried to use it for some ink cartridges and was told there was a problem and to contact Orchard Bank, I did. They told me my account had JUST gone to collections due to default. I was asked if I would like to pay now. How much I asked? $512 was the reply. I said there was a mistake that I paid in full etc, I asked for history on the account they told me call collections, they didn't have the records. I call collections, they wanted to set up a payment plan, I again asked for the history and they told me to call the card company for that they were collections! This began the circle of HELL, after 9 calls, 5 disconnections, being put on permanent hold (I even got a person to connect me to a recording, telling me the office hours, and to call back then, GOOD BYE. disconnected again, after 3 more calls, I got a P.O. Box to send a written dispute. Through this whole debacle I kept my cool. I offered all information an asked for the same, I was given none. I even said show me where I owe the money and I'll pay, still nothing, I just owe. I could write a book. There aught to be a law, or at least a way to fight these pirates! So..here I sit. I'm ready to fight, is anyone out there?

P.S. This is the condensed version.

Ken
CHICAGO, Illinois
U.S.A.