Refusing to Close Accounts -- Now What?

[IrishNodak]

What is the name of your state? Colorado

We have two credit cards with the same company. Both are paid in full. We have told the company via phone to close the accounts. They were also notified via USPS CRR mail. We have the RR back. They are refusing/neglecting to close these accounts. Is that illegal? Now what should we do?

[efflandt]

When you close a credit card account, they may keep it in limbo for awhile in case any other charges come in that you authorized, but maybe forgot about. So make sure that any automated payments from that account, or subscriptions, memberships, or creditors that might draw from that account are discontinued or switched to a different account.

When I told Discover Card (in writing) to close my account and accept no further charges they said OK, but if any charges come in it will be reactivated. So don't expect closing the account to necessarily get you out of something you signed up for, but expect to be discontinued by just closing the credit card account. Make sure you specifically cancel anything that would charge to the account.

[IrishNodak]

We haven't used either card in over 2 years. But the problem is that the card issuer charges us a "monthly maintenance fee" on both cards. If they don't close them by next week both card with have that charge added and I'll be back where we started. Having to pay those fees to zero the account and trying to get the account closed! They received the CRR letters on Feb. 5th. As of today both accounts are still open and have credit available.

I've researched and found this is a common thing they do because they assume they have more money and consumers won't fight them.

Are they violating any laws or statutes?

[SimpleMind]

You might want to try reporting the card lost. Tell them you don't want to have a replacement card sent. Tell them you are concerned about future charges on the card so you want to make sure the card is cancelled. Since you no longer need the account just close it with no replacement card.

[45Frank]

wow this is amazing I had a simular thing with Discover after my divorce. It was my card then had my wife added after we where married. Well when we where divorced I tried to have her removed they refused, I said well then close the account and they refused I had to make several calls and letters and still refused, then my attorney had to send a letter (for a $75.00 charge) stating I was divorced and would no longer be liable for any charges. They then closed the acount after about 6 months.