NoSSN - NoSSN NewsLetter issue 7.01

NoSSN NewsLetter issue 7.01
Happy New year
Issues with Discover Card
January 1, 2007

NoSSN NewsLetter issue 7.01
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Disclaimer: Nothing in this Newsletter is to be taken as legal or tax advice. For that, you need a lawyer or CPA. This newsletter is for informational purposes only. What you do with this information, is your responsibility.

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In this Issue:

Happy New year
Issues with Discover Card
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Happy New Year –
This is the first issue of this NewsLetter for 2007. You will notice the isuue numbers now start with 7. I would like to wish you all a very prosperous and number free year!

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Issues with Discover Card –
You can congratulate me, I am now debt free. Since my decision to live without the protective blanket of Social Security I have been slowly working my way out of the credit card scheme. Before the decision I carried two Discover Cards, two MasterCards and a Sears Card. For some reason I never got a Visa Card.

As of last year, I had gotten rid of all but one Discover Card. I had used it to transfer balances from the other cards when they had offer me settlements. I did have quite the balance on that one. Let’s just say it wasn’t quite 5 figures.

Discover card and I had got into an argument earlier last year. I was late with a payment and they had called me. I noticed a beeping on the phone. I asked if the call was being recorded. They responded, “Yes”. This surprised me since they never asked my permission. I freaked out a bit (I must admit, I enjoy it somewhat). I asked them never to call me without asking if they could record it. They never did.

A couple of months ago I received an offer from Discover Card to settle the account for 20%. I said, “Okay, I will consider that a suitable apology.” I didn’t have the money at the time so they accepted a small payment in exchange for holding the option open till the end of December.

On December 29th I called to make the payment. I spoke to a representative who started asking all sorts of questions like; Why I had stopped paying (we got into an argument), where is this money coming from (none of your business) and finally, verify your SSN.

I informed the representative that I hadn’t used an SSN in several years and I don’t think I can even remember it if I wanted to. She would not accept my payment! I couldn’t believe my ears. They would not take my payment.

I then asked to speak to a supervisor. I explained what had happened and she would not accept the payment. I informed her that we had an agreement (she denied that) and I am holding up my end of the bargain. If she didn’t accept my payment it would be her responsibility. She still refused.

She used all sorts of excuses from; “Federal law requires that she report settlements as income to the IRS” to “I can’t even get to the next screen until you verify the number.”

I did inform her that she already had the number and even if she were to tell me what it was the most I would be able to do is to say, “Well, it sounds like something I used to use.”

I finally asked for her name. Here is the exchange:

Me: Can I get your name?
Her: Rita
Me: And your last name Rita?
Her: I don’t have to give you that.
Me: Fine, your Social Security Number Rita?

I think I got my point across. The conversation didn’t last too much longer.

I hung up the phone and thought for a moment. If I didn’t make a payment, I would then be liable for the full amount. I would have broken the deal we had. I certainly did not want to be the one responsible for breaking the deal. I decided I would make this payment one way or another.

I logged into my Discover card account online. I went to the screen to make a payment online. I entered the bank account information (It’s ok, it’s a business account). I didn’t have the amount. I decided to call back and get the amount.

I talked to another representative and explained that I had called previously and was unable to make the payment over the phone. Therefore, I would make the payment online. I just needed the correct amount. She asked me to hold on. Guess who picked up the phone….

It was Rita. She was eager to inform me that this would be posted as a regular payment and the balance would still be due. I reminded her that we had an agreement. She again denied that we had an agreement. I’m not sure I understand that. They said they would settle for 20%, I agreed to pay it by a certain date. Does that not constitute an agreement?

I told her that regardless of whether she would post it as a settlement payment or not, I was going to hold up my end of the deal. She told me that I would still owe the balance. I told her that she had better prepare for a flurry of mail if they tried to collect another dime after I made this payment. The phone call didn’t last much longer.

She would not give me the correct amount so I had to calculate it myself. I took the balance in the online system and calculated 20%. That was what was agreed upon.

I then wrote a letter to Discover Card politely informing them of what happened. I didn’t go into too much detail. I basically said that I called to make the settlement payment over the phone but was unable to do so. I therefore made the payment on line. Since there was no option to make a settlement payment, it posted as a regular payment. Please see to it that this payment is posted as a settlement.

I enclosed a copy of the letter they had sent me and also a screenshot of my payment being posted which shows the date. I can’t wait to see that disputed.

Actually, there should be no dispute. They asked for 20% by a certain date, I complied. I gave them proof. They have nothing to complain about.

I did one other thing. I sent them a message through their online customer service. I explained in two sentences what happened and that I was sending them a letter. I asked if I had sent it to the correct address. They have addresses all over the place, Salt Lake City, Wilmington Delaware, etc.

Now we get to wait and see what happens. Shall we set some odds?

I give it 15% chance they accept the settlement. What is that? 6:1, 5:1

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When someone asks for your SSN, show them the card. It has everything anyone could need to prove your identity. Photo, signature, name and address. Turn it over and you get:

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42 USC Sec. 408 provides that: Whoever ... (8) discloses, uses, or compels the disclosure of the social security number of any person in violation of the laws of the United States; shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction thereof shall be fined under title 18 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.

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