Any Topics Off Limits?

1. 67

   Thomas Chopelasposted 13 years ago

   I would like to write a Hub about credit card companies gouging people who are in financial trouble. Are there policies against naming the credit card company and can I trash one in particular?

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   1. 76

      IzzyMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I would name and shame and put their names in the title too. If everything you write is factual then they have nothing to sue over.
      I'm having problems with a bank in Spain and I named and shamed them. So far I have had responses from bank employees as well as other members of the public who have been similarly scammed.
      I am willing to stand up in court and defend what I have said. Not only that, I am in the process now of taking things further legally myself.
      I have stated their employees are dishonest, and they are.

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2. 41

   Mikeydoesposted 13 years ago

   If you have some true statements about people getting scammed or gouged I would always do what is best and post about it. I wouldn't see why not. As long as you don't use certain words, many of which don't belong in a credit card hub anyway. Usually certain words get you banned, and some are crazy, but for the most part we're talking about other words for the human anatomy etc.

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   1. 67

      Thomas Chopelasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the response Mikey. Being out of work several times over the last 4 years has been a struggle. I have watched my interest rate go from 18% to now 30%. Add the late fees in and I cannot keep up with the debt. After having made payments for over 2 years I find myself owing the same amount of money even thought I have paid close to $140 a month over these last two years.

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      1. 77

         wildernessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         I've been in your shoes and certainly sympathize.  The high interest rates + late fees + (as a result of late fees) over the limit fees can make it literally impossible to pay down a debt making the minimum payment.  Unemployment or other financial disaster can limit payments to only that minimum with the result that 10 years of payments will end with a higher balance being owned that you started with.
         
         Like you, a job loss landed me in just that situation with balances continually rising despite paying all I could.  The credit card companies refused to limit their fees and interest and I ended up in bankruptcy. proceedings.  Not an ideal situation (it hurt that I could not pay what I agreed to) but the court agreed that there was no other option at that point.

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3. 77

   wildernessposted 13 years ago

   Judging from other posts in the forums a hub about credit cards is likely to be considered debt consolidation by the bots.  Any such hub must be of exceptional quality to be published as the general subject is saturated.
   
   As far as a real answer to your question - I agree with Mikeydoes.  As long as you post only true and accurate information there should be no problem (outside of that noted above).  However, using words such as scam and gouge to refer to companies requiring you to uphold your contract with them is certainly skating on thin ice and could result in problems.  If the substance of your hub is to be venting and complaining about credit card companies holding you to the contract you agreed to I would reconsider.

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   1. 67

      Thomas Chopelasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the info Wilderness. I may just vent and not name any particular credit card company. It pays to discover the reasons why banks can change the rules after with just a piece of mail informing you that there policies have changed.

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      1. 77

         Aficionadaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         Sorry, but that phrase made me giggle.  It may well have been intentional and, if so, kudos!

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         1. 67

            Thomas Chopelasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Thanks for the post. Glad you had a giggle.

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