An Independent Mind

Capitol One Sucks

The title of this post is general knowledge but I wanted to share my latest story. Yet again, they just suddenly decide to stop my account until I figure it out and call them. I was booking travel plans to go to Europe and in the middle of multiple transactions, I get declined. And of course, during that period of time, other ongoing charges get declined too. So then I have to take the time and straighten those accounts out as well.

Why aren't I grateful for this security? I don't get any emails or phone calls. They just halt the card until I take 15-30 minutes to call them. Then they want to verify a bunch of charges. The Capitol One service person is across the world and can barely speak English. So I have to verify charges that I can't really understand? How is this secure? They also turn off online access so I can't even view the recent transactions to verify what is going on with the person I can't understand.

I also have a lot of trouble with Capitol One at gas stations. The pump shuts off before I can get a full tank. With today's prices, even a $75 limit is too little. Or they halt the card as the transaction starts so I'm stuck at a gas station in the middle of nowhere hoping my cell phone has service. Then I can sit on hold in the boiling Arizona summer desert waiting to talk to someone I can't understand.

I can spend thousands of dollars and then it's triggered by some little amount. One time I spent a couple thousand on automotive repairs and then my card was halted by $1.00 gas purchase. I had to top off the mechanics loaner car's gas tank after driving it for only a few miles. So this small purchase was of more concern to them since it didn't fit my habits. I can somewhat understand that but it's annoying when they just stop a card with no notice or effort of contact first.

Luckily I continue to carry spare credit cards and can use another one when this happens. I've had other companies do this kind of thing but they usually call after that fact to check it out. If there is a problem, they know they can investigate later and get the money back. But Capitol One wants to annoy it's own customers first.

Labels: bad business

posted by - A @ 9:23 AM