Stupid Credit Card Companies

[adamxcl]

Does anyone else get annoyed by credit card companies like I do? It seems like every few weeks they put a hold on my credit card for security. I have to call and verify charges. Between personal and business, I spend thousands a month that always gets paid off. I travel often yet they question it no matter what I tell them my job is or tell them ahead of time. I wish they would contact me first instead of me getting turned down somewhere and having to call. It's more than one company too but <snip> is the worst with this. And then I can barely understand the person speaking broken English asking me to verify charges. I'm supposed to verify things in a pinch I can't even understand.

One time, I was in the middle of the Utah desert needing gas. I had to sit for a half hour on a dying cell phone to get it straightened out. (Couldn't wait because you never know when Yahoo or Google will place a charge for ppc.)

Another time, I spent a couple thousand on major auto modifications and find out my card is put on hold. I call and it's not because of a big charge, it's because I spent a couple dollars a gas station (had to fill up a loaner car) and that small of an amount looked suspicious.

I know it could be a good thing but they've done this 20 times in a year and never has there been a real problem.

Anyone have any cards that deal with this stuff a better way?

End of rant

[edited by: lawman at 9:21 pm (utc) on Aug. 8, 2008]
[edit reason] No Specifics Please [/edit]

[LifeinAsia]

I'd call and speak to a manager. Explain that while you appreciate their "security" measures, the inconvenience has gotten to the point that it is making their card unusable for you. If they can not tone down some of the automatic flags, you will have to take your business elsewhere.

[engine]

As I understand it, it's flagged because there's no apparent pattern. As soon as you buy gas from the middle of nowhere, it throws up a flag. Scammers also use small amounts to test the efficacy of the card before they hit it with the big ones. The card company is only doing its job, however, I agree that it's frustrating if it happens regularly.

[adamxcl]

Yeah, I know I don't have a pattern. But it's annoying. One time I'm in the middle of buying domain names late at night. STOPPED. Can't get anyone on the phone. They can halt it at night but can't put someone in security to start it again. Then I have to change credit cards...mess up by bookkeeping, etc.

I was hoping that someone here might have had this problem and then could say "xyx" major card brand didn't do it, called first or allowed some leeway to check it out for a bit before just halting the card. You know, provide real customer service to someone who does very high business volume.

[Essex_boy]

Are you with Capital one ? They do that with me drives me crazy

[adamxcl]

I'm not allowed to mention a specific company here. When I slipped and did in my first post, it was edited out. I've had it happen with a few but one in particular is more annoying. That's kind of what I'm wondering, if I should just get away from one company or what others experiences are with it.