Moment of Brilliance

[Thanos]

Okay, so you know those offers that give you $25 off your first purchase if you apply for their card? Well, I apply for it all the time, then I just close it after I pay the initial balance (I am usually paying cash anyway so I have the money and make a payment as soon as I get the paperwork in the mail)

BUT, they always try to rope you in a get you to keep the card, or they don't close the account and are generally a pain in the ass to get rid of. Well, while I was on hold I thought "I know how to get them to close it without giving me any grief"

"Hello, this is <Insert any name> thank you for calling <Brand X> card, to verify the account can I have your last name?"
I tell them
"And your mother's maiden name and last four of your social security number?"
I tell them
"How can I help you today?"
"I would like to close the account"
"Alright sir, and first of all can I ask the reason you would like to close the account?"

"I didn't open it"
"Excuse me sir"
"Someone else opened the account...in my name"
"Okay sir, the acount is closed. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
" no"

end of call.
That was the fastest I have ever made $25 bucks.

[Rastus]

I like the way you think.

[ericire12]

Get them to send you a letter so that you have it in writing that the account has been closed

[Timothy]

A few years ago, I was going through my father-in-laws credit report for him.  We found at least $20,000.00 in available credit card balance that he was unaware he had.

Watch these pricks like a hawk, they will eat you alilve with all the mumbo jumbo....it took him another few months to figure out how to close all those accounts because he never received a card, a bill or any other document.

I'm finally at a point in my life where I owe nothing and it's a very freeing feeling.....

[Thanos]

Guys, I opened the account. I just lied to them so they think it is not my account and then they close it and put a block on any charges. I bought one thing got the $25 off, then I closed it.

I have the card, I just didn't want them to give me grief about how I should keep it. It was a Cabela's card. It was active for one transaction and less than a week. I think I am good to go and won't get screwed by Visa or Cabela's. But they certinly don't want a card that they think I will dispute any charges being used, because I won't be liable. (that is what they think anyway.)

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

Guys, I opened the account. I just lied to them so they think it is not my account and then they close it and put a block on any charges. I bought one thing got the $25 off, then I closed it.

I have the card, I just didn't want them to give me grief about how I should keep it. It was a Cabela's card. It was active for one transaction and less than a week. I think I am good to go and won't get screwed by Visa or Cabela's. But they certinly don't want a card that they think I will dispute any charges being used, because I won't be liable. (that is what they think anyway.)

Be aware that even this will bite you on the ass. I opened a couple of accounts, mostly to get huge deals on a specific product I wanted, paid it off within the time period (no interest if paid within a year - it was a rather pricey tiller, but then what isn't pricey these days). Did this on a couple of big ticket items.

Guess what? All of this shows on your credit report, and they will bite you eventually. Especially with tightened credit, credit companies ding you hard for having lots of accounts, even if closed and they can deny you as they did me when I tried to do the same thing on a snowblower recently. The deal would have worked out to almost 30% off retail and the reason was too many accounts in a period of time. And I own my own home too, but that doesn't matter

The credit companies don't like lending you their money - or giving you money - for nothing in return and they make you pay. And since that damned credit rating is used for everything these days - jobs, car insurance, etc. - it can seriously impede you and guess what - there is not a damned thing you can do about it - it runs your life.

[Thanos]

The credit companies don't like lending you their money

I don't like borrowing, so it is okay. I don't have any worries about how it may negatively affect my credit. I want to borrow money from them about as much as I want a kick in the nuts. Stay out of debt is my motto, even if it costs me a couple of percentage points on my house until I can refinance. (When I buy one after school)