I am so frustrated right now that I decided to write this diary in the hopes of finding out if this has happened to other people and what they did about.
In early July, while signing onto Bank of America (I have two credit cards with them) they had a promotion (big picture ad before going into mt accounts) to open a checking account with them, use their Bill Pay Service and within 50 days receive $100 (see pic below of offer).
*** This was real. It was not a phishing scam. I actually do have a checking account open with BofA now. They also acknowledge the offer.
So, the account was opened, money deposited and I immediately started using Bill Pay as per the requirement to get the $100. Keep in mind that I open the account by clicking on the offer itself, which was in a window when I was signing into BofA like I usually do to check my credit cards.
More below the fold.
Here's the offer:
After about about 45 days (on Aug 15th)I contacted them wondering where the $100 was. They stated they had no record of the offer on my account, but that was on the phone and I was told since this was online to write them via their internal email system. I did and got this in response:
Dear XXX,
Thank you for your inquiry dated 8/15/07 regarding. We will be happy to
assist you.
We understand your concern. Bank of America is willing to offer such a
promotion because of our confidence in being able to offer superior
service to develop and retain a loyal customer base.
We are currently researching your inquiry regarding your promotional
incentive for $100.00 promotion (CH100CTA). Please allow an additional
72 business hours for a response. This will allow us time to review the
incentive and verify the status.
We value you as a customer and appreciate your business. If we may be
of further assistance, please contact us again by e-mail. Thank you for
choosing Bank of America.
Sincerely,
Thomas Huxtable
Bank of America
28413079
They contacted me again in a a couple of days telling me the following:
Dear XXX,
Thank you for your inquiry dated 8/16/07 regarding the promotion
incentive. We will be happy to assist you.
Please note, we have submitted an order for your promotional bonus for
verification. Upon qualification the promotion incentive will be
processed and delivered within 45 days. Please contact us if you do not
receive the credit after 10/2/07 for us to research the matter further.
We apologize for any inconvenience you may experience in regards to the
processing of this incentive.
We value you as a customer and appreciate your business. If we may be of
further assistance, please contact us again by e-mail. Thank you for
choosing Bank of America.
Sincerely,
Pratima Saadiq
Bank of America
With Mobile Banking, you can access your accounts right from your cell
phone. Simply sign into Online Banking at www.bofa.mobi from your
wireless browser to enjoy anytime, anywhere banking! Mobile Banking
service is free to Online Banking Customers. Web access is needed to use
Mobile Banking. Check with your wireless carrier for details on specific
fees and charges.
It is now October 2nd and the $100 was still not deposited into my account.
I called Bank of America and I am NOT joking, was transferred to 4 different people over a 45 minute time frame, all of whom either claimed they had no record of the offer associated with my account or understood my frustration and would need time to look into it (similar to the written response above).
I have now contacted BofA, again, through their email system. I have told them they have a few days to get the $$ into my account before I contact my Senators and file a complaint.
What agency would I file that with?
Also, I have $8500 in credit card debt. I have never missed a payment but I am considering using it as leverage. I didn't mention it in my last email.
I am thinking telling them if this doesn't get resolved with in a few day, by which I mean the $100 is deposited into my account within a 72 hours, I will stop paying off this debt, credit reports be damned.
All my other accounts are in very good standing. I will put a letter on file with the credit agencies when they report the account as delinquent, for future reference. It is only ONE account and I rent, not own my home and I don't plan on buying a car or applying for more credit. I have plenty. My other APR's are locked in to offers that can't be changed unless I miss a payment, which I won't. In fact, I'd have more money freed up then to pay those other debts off so no chance I'd screw that up.
Is that a crazy thing for me to do?
Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?
Any suggestions other than holding my credit card debt as hostage?
I HATE Bank of America. I HATE being how Banks get away with bait and switch bullshit like this.
ARGH!
UPDATE: OK! OK! I won't do it! I won't stop paying my balance off. Stop hollering at me! ;-) LOL!! Point(s) taken by everyone. You're ALL right. Better to close all accounts and move the balance, which I can no problem. I'll just wait until the 0% is about to end (might as well not pay interest for a few more months).
Thanks all for talking me out of my threat!
UPDATE II: For those who want to know where it stands, after I contacted BofA again through their email system, I got a response which seems to imply they're are taking this seriously at this point. But who knows. Here is my email from yesterday and their response:
My email:
It is now Oct 2nd and this $100 has STILL NOT been deposited into my
account. I didn't go looking for this offer. It came to me in an email
from BofA. WHERE IS THIS $100. This is getting ridiculous!!!!!
If this $$ isn't deposited into my account within 48 hours, I will be
contacting my two NY Senators and then I will file a complaint with
Federal Banking Commission.
This bait and switch bullshit has gone on long enough.
XXX
Their response:
Dear XXX,
Thank you for your inquiry dated 10/2/07 regarding the promotion on
your account. We will be happy to assist you.
After reviewing your online application, we show that promotion code
CH100CTA was entered. We have contacted the area which processes the
promotions and due to the high volume of transactions, the credit has
been delayed. Please be assured that you will receive the promotional
credit of $100.00 to your account.
We understand that you have been patiently waiting for this and
apologize for any inconvenience that this issue may have caused you.
Bank of America has a commitment to provide the highest level of service
possible. Please note that we have taken the necessary steps to ensure
that we have properly informed the promotion area of your concerns. You
can be assured that we will make every effort to avoid a similar
situation going forward.
We value you as a customer and appreciate your business. If we may be of
further assistance, please contact us again by e-mail. Thank you for
choosing Bank of America.
Sincerely,
Dianne Reed
Bank of America