According to a (March 30, 2009) Chase press release entitled, “Chase — California’s New Bank – Unveils Name, Octagon on 708 Bank Branches, 2,003 ATMs,” Chase California branches can be found in “324 cities in 44 counties formerly served by WaMu.”
As you may recall (in connection with questions about exactly what Chase and other banks were doing with YOUR bail out money), following its September 2008 acquisition of Washington Mutual’s banking operations, including the former WaMu brand, Chase now operates more than 5,000 branches nationwide (as is also indicated in the cited press release). Here’s a link to a handy branch location finder (you might find this useful as you read further).
Meanwhile, the purpose of this post is to convey that some Chase branch managers may not be familiar with protections that we have as ordinary citizens, such as “freedom of speech.”
I realize that it would be nice, from the bank’s point of view, if we were all serfs with no rights whatsoever (economically enslaved), but we still have the right to protest.
For months, Alessandro Machi has been doing a fabulous job of protesting through his live appearances with Daily-Protest.com signs. And recently, I have been contacted by another fellow “Comrade in the Chase Resistance Movement,” who has also been garnering the approval of motorists who have honked in favor of his message as they have observed his “DON’T TRUST” (side 1) — “CHASE” (side 2) sign.
Of course, Chase branch managers don’t really seem to care for free speech, coming from customers, and that’s too bad.
I do find it ironic that the “that’s too bad we can do anything we please attitude” regularly exhibited by Chase employees (not afraid of the impotent OCC) toward customers has now backfired: Customers have the right to speak out in protest against Chase, for having done as it darned well pleased (in a manner that many customers consider to be outrageous and hurtful).
I have been asked not to promote the name of our new-found friend and fellow protester, but he has supplied plenty of other material and permission to share it. Taken from his emails, here is a description of the activities with which he has been involved:
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“The first 2 days, the bank manager tried to intimidate me any way he could:
1) He attempted to “video” me with his cell phone. I blocked my face like an accused criminal!
2) He asked me if I had a permit. No, I didn’t. But I told him that I had already personally visited the Buena Park Police Department the day before and they told me I didn’t need one if I stayed on the sidewalk.
3) He told me I could not distribute anything. At that point, I told him to call the police. He said they were already called!
4) Police arrived. The police officer did not even get out of his car! The officer told me that the bank manager claimed I was blocking their private driveway. This was a complete fabrication! I politely suggested that the officer review the bank manager’s cell phone video and the officer will NOT see that on the video! The police officer then drove away without taking any further statement from the bank personnel! I went back to holding my sign!
5) By the second day, I was allowing the bank manager to “video” my face with his cell phone. As soon as I did that, he wasn’t interested in videoing me any more!
Intimidation didn’t work, so now the branch is in the ignore mode.
For the record, the branch number is #1281, at the corner of the very busy intersection of Beach Blvd. and La Palma Ave., Buena Park, CA (caddy corner to Knott’s Berry Farm – Famous landmark in Buena Park, CA – The nation’s first “themed” amusement park! – Origin of the “Boysenberry” and built before Disneyland, also in Orange County, CA!).
It seems odd to me that the branch numbers do not appear on their website!
Here’s what else I have done. I have gone to about 7 branches now, and have personally handed the “BEWARE” flyer [see below] to the bank manager (if possible) or an assistant manager, and informed him or her that this flyer will be given to all of their customers. I then walk out of the branch. They usually look dumbfounded! But, from what I gather, I think they have a procedure in place for this kind of activity. I believe, at the very least, that they are instructed to fax the “flyer” to their District Manager. My 7 branches are in 2 counties, Orange and Los Angeles! I hope Chase is buzzing behind the scenes with one or more District Managers receiving the same flyer from all of these different branches.
This is something people can do! Take the flyer to their local Chase branch. As many branches as possible! Ask to speak to the manager. Tell him or her that this flyer will be handed out to all their customers. And then leave!”
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One word of caution to folks: If you decide to mount your own protest, make sure you are familiar with your rights and responsibilities under your own local laws (and keep in mind that ChangeInTerms.com is not engaged in rendering professional or legal advice).
For example, you will note that the police department in Buena Park was consulted, first. Further, in the above instance, the flyer could not be given to any customers on bank property (doing so would have been considered trespassing). But, as a customer, people do have a right to “communicate” (for example, with the branch manager and/or his or her designated representative).
I also learned that one of the benefits of the location associated with the photos below was as follows:
“By the way, another advantage of this branch at this busy intersection is because I believe the bus stop at this corner is a bus schedule, timepoint. That means that if a bus arrives there ahead of schedule, the driver must wait there until the scheduled departure time. So, I use that opportunity to hand the flyer to the bus driver and tell him or her to spread the word to all of their friends and work associates! Not one driver has refused it! Hey, they need some light reading to fill these pauses in their day!”
Here are the photos (we love them!):
Beach Blvd., north of La Palma Ave. looking north-west. “DON’T TRUST”
Beach Blvd., north of La Palma Ave. looking north-west. “CHASE”
Here is a link to the handout (about which our friend stated, “I would like to see this flyer go nationwide!” — so would we!).
Finally, here is a copy of a press release that was sent to The Orange County Register (no answer — but there are plenty of other members of the media who may appreciate having a copy):
For Immediate Release
To: Michael Mello, The Orange County Register
08/04/2009
Buena Park, CA
Hundreds, if not thousands of motorists were greeted today driving north on Beach Blvd., north of La Palma Ave. by the words, “DON’T TRUST CHASE”. Those words were emblazoned upon a sign held by a yet to be identified male protester in front of the Chase Bank Branch located on that corner. Many motorists felt inclined to honk in support of those words.
Apparently, this individual has grievances with the “Change in Terms” on credit cards issued by Chase Bank. Upon learning of the presence of the protester, the bank manager emerged from the branch in 90+ degree heat, and proceeded to video the individual with his cell phone. When that did not encourage the protester to leave, the Buena Park Police were called to complain that the protester was allegedly, illegally blocking their private driveway on Beach Blvd. Upon arrival, the police determined that no violations had occurred and they drove off without taking any further statement from bank personnel.
According to the protester, these daily protests will continue until an acceptable resolution is reached with Chase Bank.
###
I can’t help but wonder if Chase sent any of its infamous change in terms notices to police officers (maybe the one who was called by Chase’s Branch Manager!)?
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on Aug 17th, 2009 at 1:12 am
Too bad I live about 60 miles away or I would gladly join in. If the protestor is reading this please contact me at any of my blogs. http://www.daily-protest.com http://www.robotsagainstchase.com and http://www.bloggersaginstchase.com
on Aug 17th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I visited my 8th branch today in Fullerton, CA. No manager available, only an assistant manager. Real friendly at first. When I handed him the above flyer and told him it was the brand new nationwide version and that it would be handed out to all of his customers, he responded with, “Not in the branch!” I said, (Duh), “Of course not.” What is the mentality that we are we dealing with here? This is a no brainer! If all 400,000 to 1,000,000 affected cardholders took a few minutes to take the flyer and go to one branch each, I think we could make a “HUGH” impact on Chase’s arrogant attitude!
But of course, I can’t expect that to happen. It never does in these situations. People think the next guy will do it. It is so simple, a child could do it (not recommended, by the way!) Do it! If there ever was a time to exercise your freedom of speech, it is now!
on Aug 17th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I certainly agree with the observation that many people think, let the “next guy” do the protesting. I’ve had thousands upon thousands of vistors to this site, and as you also noted, we’re looking at around a million account holders (never know, with Chase, the exact number because members of the media don’t even bother to ask — they just regurgitate whatever comment a Chase spokesperson doles out in an email). Yet, I have never received a single photo of someone wearing one of the free protest t-shirts I have provided, let alone one of the paid ones (which would net me somewhere around 3 bucks, I think, to help support the site — and it would spread the message at the same time).
Meanwhile, I love what the two of you are doing (Alessandro and FightChase).
Another way to also fight Chase, that I would really get a kick out of, is to see people take those flyers to competing banks and credit unions. Tell those managers that when they are selling loans to customers, they should just leave the flyer sitting non-chalantly on their desks!
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Boy, Dr. Lahm. We sure think alike! It isn’t very clear, but there is actually a CitiBank Branch in the background (across the street) in both of the photos above. And wouldn’t you know it, I had already been in there with my old flyer to inform them of their competitor’s current practices! They gladly accepted a few of the flyers. Not sure what they did with them, though.
My personal experience with CitiBank has been favorable. They actually lowered my credit card interest rate on my CitiBank card just by asking! And, yes, I have a card with them too. I have an addiction I guess. Not drugs, but too much easy credit (in better times) that is now coming to haunt me. I’ll kick the habit some day. I am trying to be good by using cash whenever possible!
So, print out the flyer and take it to any Chase or non-Chase bank branch you visit! It is not a wasted effort no matter where you leave it! And, in a non-Chase bank, I’m sure the non-Chase employees will not mind if you distribute it to anyone you want on their bank property. Just ask first! (Actually, I think Chase’s policy is that “nothing” can be distributed to customers on their bank property. So other banks probably have similar policies). In any event, hopefully, the non-Chase bank is not involved in similar shady practices!
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 7:00 am
Many times, people need to see others doing it before they join in. I think the PDF flyer is a great idea. I was asked by a few people for a flyer when I set up at the Santa Monica Pier one night.
I had been so used to trying to get the attention of those who might be 50 feet to a hundred feet away that once I found a place where people were walking right by, I found the need for a flyer.
However, between running four blogs and keeping them all updated, I never found time to make a PDF. If only the PDF mentioned a few more web addresses, ahem, it could be an even more impressive PDF to hand out.
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Hi Alessandro,
You are prolific in your creation of blogs. Send me a list by email of the ones you want on the flyer, and I can update it to include your blogs, too. I did think of adding yours, but I did not want to do so without some communication between us. Since you evidently read my August 10, 2009 post, I am sure you understand that I have had my hands full.
The new semester is starting, so it will get worse, before it gets better.
At some point, I’d like to take that flyer out of MS Word and put it into some real page layout software (and I have that software, various flavors — but like you, I just need time!).
Are we the only ones working on this “protest project”?
Where are the designers, graphic artists, and php programmers?
(No offense intended to others who are working, too, such as Louis and Margaret with Binary Star Productions, making those great short films — but it does seem lonely at times!)
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I am going to photocopy some and see what i can do….
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
I just spent 10 minutes trying to find a branch of Chase Bank in Pennsylvania…..and Guess What? From what I can tell, there are NO Chase Bank branches in the entire state of Pennsylvania.
Every PA city entered in the branch locater form comes up empty except Erie & Pittsburgh which gives addresses for Chase Banks in Ohio; enter Philadelphia, Bethlehem, etc on the eastern side of the state and a list of Chase Banks in New Jersey is provided.
If Chase has more than 3000 branch offices, one has to wonder what the reason is for there not being one office in the entire state of Pennsylvania.
Once Dr. Lahm modifies the pdf to include Allessandro’s websites, I’ll print some up, take them to the banks, and perhaps make them available as appropriate at my husband’s law office and our bed & breakfast.
I had a guest last week attempt to use a Chase card to pay for his stay. It was declined. He was utterly mystified….he said, “I pay this off every month and carry no balance. How can it be declined?” I told him that I had read that Chase has begun to close out credit cards without notifying the customer and the customers only find out when they try to use it next. He immediately went online to see if he could tell anything from the Chase website. He said, “Here it is…my payment is scheduled for the 16th – it says nothing about my account being closed.” He used another card for payment. But I bet he will find that Chase just closed the account BECAUSE he pays it off every month….they aren’t making enough money on him.
Chase can’t be trusted. Oh, wait, they can be trusted to treat their customers horribly and just when you think they can’t get any lower than pond scum, Chase can be trusted to sink to a whole new level. Great business model…Chase will lose this battle eventually.
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
From today’s Washington Post:
Does this mean Chase can raise our 5% minimum payments to 10% if they feel like it?
Starting Thursday, Credit Card Users Get More Rights
By Nancy Trejos
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The first phase of the landmark credit card legislation signed by President Obama in May will take effect this week, forcing card issuers to give consumers more time to pay their bills and to consider interest rate increases.
Starting Thursday, issuers must give customers 45 days’ notice before raising their interest rates, instead of 15 days as previously required. Customers can then choose to pay what they owe at the original rate over time but will not be able to use the card for future purchases.
The issuer reserves the right to increase the minimum payment, as a percentage of the total balance, to no more than double the percentage it had been. Card issuers will also have to mail bills 21 days — instead of 14 days — before the due date.
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Boy, it just gets worse and worse. If what you and the Washington Post report is true, I guess so!
I just visited branch #9 today. Come on people, now is the time. Go to your local branches and give the flyer to the bank manager. It is easy and painlees.
For those of us old enough to remember, there was a world wide call to boycott all Nestle products (boycott long since over now). A nationwide boycott may need to happen with Chase, before they will realize that consumers aren’t going to stand for their behavior, legal or not. That is easy to say, “BOYCOTT CHASE”.
I just made another visit to the Buena Park Police Department. I wanted to get a copy of the police log to see exactly why the police were dispatched on 8/4/2009. The arriving officer used the phrase, “blocking the driveway”. Unfortunately, the police log did not quite support that, stating the reason the police were dispatched involved “impeding” traffic, a different concept that the branch manager was careful to use, so he did not commit a crime of calling the police under false pretenses. Don’t give them an inch. We’ve got to hold every Chase employee accountable for their actions.
on Aug 18th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I would be thrilled to be included. I’m including an explanation by each website but it is not necesssary to add.
http://www.ROBOTSagainstCHASE.com (this is a site devoted entirely to anybody who is posting Chase Bank You Tube Videos)
http://www.Daily-Protest.com This was the first Chase Bank protest blog, dedicated to my father who passed away less than 2 weeks after I started the blog. I did not think he was that close to passing. I actually opened my first Chase love letter changing terms just a few feet from my father’s home hospice bed. Chase bank stole some precious moments from me and my dad, I was with my dad the entire time, except for my hour a day protest against chase that started while my father was still alive.
http://www.BLOGGERSagainstCHASE.com is a site that promotes ANY BLOG that is devoted to Chase Bank issues. All sites feature articles that explore different aspects of the tyrant known as Chase Bank.
i would also be happy to make a donation in exchange for a bolding of my three listings on the right side of your blog.
on Aug 19th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Check out the latest bit of Chase propaganda by Carla Fried at CNNMoney.com. It is clear that Chase is attempting to gauge the feelings of the American public in general and attempting to justify its actions as “tough love”. I do not doubt for a minute that CNNMoney was put up to this, since the credit card industry pays a huge amount for advertising.
The majority of posts are against Chase, but there are a few “holier than thous”. You know the type of post – If you incurred this degree of debt, you are stupid and reckless – yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah.
Please visit this link and post your objections – not only about Chase, but to address the transparent attempt by the media to spin Chase’s despicable acts as simply good business sense.
I have witnessed many attempts by Chase trolls on various blogs to demoralize the victims, by berating them. They usually are spotted and pounced upon, to my great joy. Since Chase could not suppress the growing expression of discontent from its victims, Chase is now resorting to planting news articles in an attempt to change public sentiment.
I could be wrong, but I wouldn’t put it past Chase. They have the resources, after all.
Here is the link:
http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/08/16/rising-credit-card-minimums-fair-or-foul/?section=money_topstories
on Aug 19th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I wrote a nice note! Chase is in for some “tough love”.
on Aug 19th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Dear Alessandro,
RE: #12
I will add the site names, and update the flyer as soon as I can. I will also add your (additional) site names to the ChangeInTerms.com site’s list of links. Now, on the subject of a donation: I absolutely do NOT want you, donating money to me (or this site). We are already both working as hard as we can, and it’s really not about the money that I am complaining. I want HELP with all of the work that has to be done to engage in the day-to-day “stuff” that I know you are doing (maintaining several blogs, AND litererally protesting), and I know a few others, and I, have been doing.
Indeed, to everyone who has submitted a comment on this particular post thus far (forgive me for not listing you all by name, but for other site visitors, the people who have joined in this discussion presently, are all working their rear-ends, off; therefore, I am “preaching to the choir,” unfortunately):
WE are leading this fight and working hard.
But what WE need is a “Nestle-type” boycott, as was mentioned above.
(NOTE: I probably am way, way, way, too “young” to remember it, but I could have “heard” about it — yeah, or maybe “read” about it, in a history book, or someplace like that!!!)
Someone mentioned the idea of a FaceBook protest. I thought it was great. I am too “old” to really know how all of that works, however. No offense to the author or the submission, because I really like the idea, a lot, and it was well intended. However, I have a whole post of my own in the Draft stage, because the suggestion included: “somebody” should do that.
“Somebody” else (not me) — a friend of the site — did set up the ChangeInTerms.com Twitter site (I know it’s really cool and all the rage, to be hooked in with Twitter, but I am doing my “Tweets” right here at ChangeInTerms.com). All I do know for certain is that a million followers (victims who are protesting on the streets) would be excellent for the cause.
Back to you Alessandro: I’ll bold* anything you want. There’s no charge and there’s no donation expected or wanted. I’ll create graphics or do anything else that I can that is consistent with my skill set. YOU are MY fellow comrade in this war. YOU are MY friend and kindred spirit in this fight against an evil monster, an ever more abusive credit card industry.
Back to everyone else who is helping, and not just blabbing or whining: “ditto” my affection expressed toward Alessandro; WE must continue to join together, and I think especially, recruit additional talented and passionate people who can fight, and WILL FIGHT!
*The asterik is related to the fact that I don’t know how to bold the links list with this particular theme, but I can try, and I am willing to do that.
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 7:12 am
the facebook protest would be great…does someone know how to do this. I think what we need is one huge spot where people can sign on to to amass a million names. It would coordinate everything. Just a simple sign a protest list…
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Actually, there are a huge number of Chase bank hate sites on Facebook. Ironically, if you search “Chase Bank” in Facebook, there are more hate sites than not.
Examples are “I hate Chase Bank”, “ Boycott Chase Manhatten Bank”, “Chase Sucks”, and of course, “F**k Chase Bank”. You can get a pretty good idea of the level of discourse of each one, just from the name. There are plenty of choices.
All you need to sign up is a username and password. Facebook is fairly intuitive to navigate.
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Thanks…just did it. It needs one main protest site. I am surprised only a handful of people have posted.
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Consumer-action.org has a petition that you can fill in and it will send to your senators about having a consumer watchdog.
I wrote them refering to consumeraffairs.com and changeinterms.com along with a request to support such a watchdog.
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Not to diminish what we all are doing here… Keep doing it! But, maybe our fellow 1 million cardholders are “smarter” than we are! Maybe, instead of protesting, they are busy saving their own skin; calling Chase and the other card issuers and saying, “I can’t pay. Put me on a payment plan.” Believe it or not, the card issuers are listening. However, the lack of good information “out there” is deafening. Here is what I know…
If you utter the above words to your card issuer, you will be (or you need to ask to be) transferred to a “Customer Assistance” department. Do not waste your time at “Level 1″ with regular “Customer Service”. Be careful not to threaten them with the “B” word (BANKRUPTCY), otherwise they will more than likely close your account immediately, even if you have a perfect payment history! They suddenly have at least 2 plans to offer, “if you qualify”. It seems you must have more income than expenses, have a job, etc. In other words, have the ability to pay them back. Here are the 2 (Federally sponsored?) programs that I know about (not just Chase is offering)…
The objective of both payment assistance plans is to pay down your balance to ZERO at the end of 60 months (5 years). No late payment fees are charged for either plan! The first program changes your interest rate to an annualized rate of 2%! The second, to an annualized rate of 4 1/4%. Here are the BIG catches! Under both plans, your account is “closed” to new charges. No big deal on that one! Be sure to ask them to report the closure as “Customer closure” to the credit bureaus. It is slightly better for your credit. Under the “2% plan”, as soon as you miss your second payment, the lender “must” (no choice, supposedly) write off your loan as a bad debt, the interest rate shoots up sky high (25-30%) and your loan is sent to collections. Under the “4 1/4% plan”, everything is the same and your payment is a little higher each month, but nothing “bad” happens until you miss your 7th payment. Again, no late fees, so you can try to “catch up”, but severe penalty if you don’t meet your end of the bargain!
The financial landscape is rapidly and continuously changing. By the time you read this, the above may no longer be offered or available!
So “maybe” Chase is “absolutely” going about this all wrong. Yes, they are bullies. But what is “right” vs. what is “practical” must be continually reviewed. Why aren’t they saying, “Look. We know everyone is in trouble financially. We want ‘our loyal customers’ to get out of debt. If you cannot meet the new ‘5% minimum payment’ credit card terms, PLEASE CALL US! We have alternative ‘Be debt-free in 60 month plans’ available!” Kind of like, “Cash for Clunkers,” although I’m not a clunker! But maybe they are not allowed to promote these plans? I can’t find any written information about these “plans”, anywhere. I don’t think they are part of the TARP program, per se. That was about mortgage relief, exclusively, I believe.
Before we had the Internet, this kind of grass-roots, “word of mouth”, “in the trenches” information was much slower to travel the country and was just not “out there”. Again, for those of us old enough to remember, “Before the Internet”, along with the cell phone and GPS, the Internet is a life changing experience. These are our generations’ breakthroughs similar to what radio and TV were to those who came before us!
I learned something a few years back, that I repeat often to people, “If you don’t speak up, nothing happens.” If I have more time to get my point across, I follow with, “If you do speak up, nothing may happen, but if you don’t, then for sure, nothing will happen.”
Here is a real life example. In September 2007, a new Metrolink (multi-county transit) train station opened in Buena Park, CA. Many months before, I called the local transit agency, OCTA (Orange County Transit Authority), and suggested that they re-route the route 25 bus to make a 2 block detour into and out of the station before continuing on its route. I actually spoke to the transit planning people who told me that they weren’t considering that route, but were re-routing a different route into the station. I thought, oh well, I tried. I spoke up. Well, maybe that one call and/or other people calling did something, because when the station opened on Tuesday, 9/4/2007, (Monday was Labor Day), the route 25 bus had been re-routed through the station! And, since there had already been “slack time” built into this bus route schedule, the printed arrival and departure “checkpoint” times remained the same! Unbelievable! Yes, one person, plus others can, and do make a difference!
If you are hurting financially, call your card issuer and ask for a payment plan. I think they are actually able to help!
P.S. – BTW – The Nestle Boycott was successful. It took awhile, but the company finally caved in and stopped promoting their powdered infant formula in 3rd world countries, to new mothers still in the hospital, using “milk nurses”. Promoted as the “modern way” the powder was expensive relative to the mothers’ income plus the local water was not always clean enough to drink. Consequently, the mother’s natural milk would dry up, forcing them to continue with “formula”. To make ends meet, the mothers would water down the formula, causing babies to die of malnutrition or disease. A world wide boycott ensued and was endorsed by WHO (World Health Organization). It was successful!
P.P.S. – I wrote the above at home, this morning. On the way to office (going northbound), I observed an overturned “big rig” on the southbound side of CA Interstate 5. No emergency personnel on scene. Not much traffic back up. I immediately called 911. I did not wait and rationalize that, oh, it is such a big accident that everyone will be calling. What if everyone thought that? Maybe, you think, only those involved should call? What if they are all injured and can’t call (and no one is lucky enough to have OnStar)! CALL! Worst is, the authorities already know about it. 5 seconds wasted for you and them. It is worth it!
The bottom line is that one person plus other “one persons” can make a “BIG” difference!
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Yes, Chase is offering to negotiate with the customers who know the magic words (“Proactive Solutions Department” seems to work for some.) Others have asked for the “Hardship Department” with mixed results. (Is anybody surprised that Chase is impervious to the fact that this situation is creating a hardship for people?)
I would suggest that anyone considering the 2% plan to visit the following website and read the comments
http://credit.about.com/b/2009/06/26/chase-increases-minimum-payment-on-credit-card-balances.htm
Recent comments indicate that the plan may not be what it seems. However, if you are interested, here is the process:
http://www.investingblog.org/archives/518/step-by-step-how-to-beat-chase-on-its-minimum-payment-increase/
I have been debating whether to take this plan, but like many others, I don’t trust Chase not to renege on the offer, after damaging my credit rating by closing my accounts. The devil in me makes me want to keep the accounts open, since I suspect they want me to close them. Otherwise, I would cancel my accounts in a heartbeat. Who in their right mind would ever choose to do business with Chase, after this abuse?
Incidentally, don’t think for an instant that Chase is offering any “deals” with anything but its own interest in mind. Be careful walking through the Chase minefield!
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Dear M,
Regarding #16.
Would you be willing to email me a list of links to FaceBook pages that are protesting Chase? When I add links to this site, under a “Category” (such as Correspondence or Chase Class Action Lawsuits, or Recent Posts), I have to fill out 3 fields for each link that I add, beneath the respective category:
Name
Actual URL
Description (room for about a sentence or two; if I use it directly from a site, I always put it in quotes).
If I had at least five to ten of the FaceBook protest sites, I would create a Category entitled:
FaceBook Pages Protesting Chase
(If anyone wants to help, “M,” please do!)
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Re Facebook:
You cannot link to Facebook pages from outside of Facebook, unlike MySpace. You have to be logged in as a user to access any Facebook sites. However, as I said before, Facebook is easy to use. It would be quite simple to set up a ChangeInTerms Facebook site.
On a different topic, if anybody had any doubts that Chase bank might be “ethically challenged” please check out this link:
http://www.nlpc.org/stories/2009/08/10/acorn-funder-jpmorgan-chase-doesn%E2%80%99t-look-good-new-madoff-book
The article is titled, “ACORN Funder JPMorgan Chase Doesn’t Look Good in New Madoff Book”. Need I say more?
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Congrats on the ressurection!
How’s the wife?
on Aug 20th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Re: #19
I would be VERY CAREFUL and THINK TWICE about confiding personal financial information to any banking institutions at this time of economic woe, unless there was absolutely no other alternative.
I have been reading on other Chase complaint sites that Chase had led some people to believe they have made some sort of a favorable deal over the telephone. Unfortunately, the written deal is not always what they were led to believe it would be. Sometimes there are slight differences, other times the customers are told that they do not qualify, after all.
Please visit the CNNMoney site mentioned in post #12 and read comment #187 by Emily from New Orleans, for an example. It is just heart wrenching.
For any small business owners that are relying on credit, be doubly careful. Please read this article, “Think Twice Before Discussing Financial Troubles with Your Bank” at the following link:
http://allbusiness.washingtonpost.com/company-activities-management/company-structures-ownership/12612147-1.html
Could there be some more class-action lawsuits brewing? Clearly nobody at Chase is worried about bad karma.
on Aug 21st, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Today’s NYT has the following article:
It May Be Time to Find a New Credit Card
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/22/your-money/credit-and-debit-cards/22money.html?hp
on Aug 22nd, 2009 at 5:31 am
Ok, tell the truth you guys got Obama to buy up your CC debt.
http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/downchart_gs.php?year=2000_2009&view=1&expand=&units=p&fy=fy10&chart=F0-total_30-total_40-total_20-total_10-total&bar=0&stack=1&size=m&title=US%20Government%20Spending%20As%20Percent%20Of%20GDP&state=US&color=c&local=s
on Aug 22nd, 2009 at 7:56 am
Look at what poor CHASE is doing with all of the money from these nonprofitable low APR accounts!!!
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/WallStreet/story?id=7146474&page=1
on Aug 24th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Hi Robert, that is very nice of you to NOT ACCEPT MY MONEY, I think?
Actually, I think you should accept a small monetary remuneration if you can bold my three links on the right column. I would MUCH RATHER spend money with someone I KNOW AND TRUST then with Chase Bank.
I would much rather donate money here than buy a CD from a celebrity who is clueless about the pain Chase bank is causing, or is to selfish to say anything.
NOT ONE CELEBRITY has spoken out against Chase Bank, and that is something we should all mull over the next time we stand in line to pay our money to a celebrity of any kind.
on Aug 24th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Oh, I have an exciting story to share. On any of my blogs,
http://daily-protest.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-live-near-washington-dc-and-have.html
http://bloggersagainstchasebank.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-live-near-washington-dc-and-have.html
http://robotsagainstchase.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-live-near-washington-dc-and-have.html
You can learn about how to be interviewed for a story about the credit card industry IF you live near the Washington DC area.