Another phone call, with caller ID blocked, on my cell phone. Presumably another one at home, too.

These people learn slow.

Well, the illegal harassing phone calls have started. No surprise there.

On the 23rd, I sent them the certified letter, instructing them, among other things, specifically to not call me about this, to only communicate in writing, by mail. I have the proof of delivery, dated June 26.

Yesterday, I got a call at home and on my cell phone (the number of which I did not give them, because I never give it out to businesses), with Caller ID blocked. I don't answer calls from blocked numbers, so it went to voice mail (and did the same at home). It was a little vague about who was calling and why, but I knew it was them.

Today, I got another call on my cell phone (and, I'm guessing, another call at home), Caller ID blocked, went to voice mail. This time, they were fairly explicit about who they were and that it was accounts recievable.

But I don't answer calls with blocked Caller ID, and they were told I wouldn't talk to them on the phone over this. We'll see how long it takes them to put it in writing. I predict they never will.

Today, I'm sending them a letter by certified mail, informing them that I expect them to reduce the interest rate to what it was, and remove any interest or fees if it takes longer than the early July due date for the next payment, and to close the account (because I don't do business with people who try to rip me off).

I also informed them that I have no intention of making any more payments on this account until they do these things.

They were also instructed to contact me only by mail, not by email or phone, to document what they have to say. Otherwise, I fear there will be "misunderstandings."

We'll see if they can follow simple instructions.

(As a side note, this is being sent to the payment address, which is almost certainly the wrong address for anything but payments, but it is literally the only mailing address I have on any correspondence from them, so it's the address they choose for me to send all correspondence to.)

I have a credit card with Union Bank. Or, used to, at any rate. At this point, I wouldn't do business with them on a bet with someone else's money. (Technically, I believe the credit card is from First Bankcard, which is a division of, or under contract to, Union Bank. In any event, the letterhead on the statements is from Union Bank.)

On April 30, 2010, they sent me a letter informing me of some changes to the terms of my account, including the interest rate. These changes were to take place on May 18, 2010.

On the first page of the letter, it says that "Any special, introductory or promotional offers or rates you may currently have will not be affected." (emphasis theirs).

To the best of my recollection, the entire balance on the card was from the use of promotional "checks," and in any event, was at 15.99%. This change should not have affected my balance.

The June statement arrived, the interest rate jumpted to 30.03%, or nearly double. I was not happy with this. I called their customer service number, and was put on hold several times before being told "this is the only interest rate we have available at this time."

Well, that's just not going to cut it. After doing a little research, I found the new rules explained in plain english on the Federal Reserve web site at:



There are several points of importance here:

1. As of February 22, 2010, credit card companies are required to give 45 days notice of changes to interest rates (among other things). Not 18 days.

2. The notice they sent did not, in fact, appear to apply to my balance.

3. They are not allowed to change interest rates on existing balances anyway.

This is according to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the people whose job it is to enforce the rules that apply.

(When I pointed out on the phone that they had not sent the notice early enough, they lied and said there was no required minimum time.)