topic Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards in Credit Cards

Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 16:08:16 GMT

So recently I had my last name changed. Capital One was the last credit card company that I contacted to change (because I had a QS WMC coming in the mail and I didn't want to throw other account changes on them at the same time). I chatted with a rep last week and she told me that I had to call in to change the name. So today, I finally got the chance to call them. I just spoke with a nice rep, who had to put me on hold for a long time because he had never done a name change that was not as a result of a marriage or divorce. When he came back, he asked me to send a letter and supporting documentation to Capital One with the last four of my card numbers, and an explanation for the name change. Specifically, they want to know WHY I chose to change my last name. He emphasized this. I didn't question him on the phone, because he was obviously just doing as he was told. The question I pose to the forum is, do I really need to jutify to Capital One WHY I chose to change my name? Isn't it just enough to send them a letter stating the name change, a copy of the court order, and a drivers license? Why is Capital One concerned about the reason I changed my name, after I told them that it was not due to a marriage or divorce? I think this is strange. I don't feel like I should have to explain to them why and should only tell them that my name has changed, here is the court order and please send me cards with the new name. Your input?

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

bestchoiceglobal — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 17:39:05 GMT

I would probably feel the same way, but I honestly would just tell them. For the simplicity of things, that is. We don't know your reasoning but let me give an example: You've had this horrible relationship with your dad and he's some monster, you hate having any association with him. You tell them: I switched it back to my maternal family name. You know what I mean? They just may just want some info for fraud type of reasons. I really don't know but that's what I would do.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 17:52:26 GMT

Some people change their names to hide their history. Granted, I would expect that if someone was on the run, they wouldn't change the name on their credit cards, but you never know.

I would just tell them. I can't really think of a good reason not to.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Shooting-For-800 — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 02:53:32 GMT

Ii would just send in the information without a reason.

if it works, fine. If not, deal with it then.

If pushed, I would say "because it was my legal right to and I chose to do so."

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

UncleB — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 03:12:31 GMT

@Shooting-For-800 wrote:
Ii would just send in the information without a reason.

if it works, fine. If not, deal with it then.

If pushed, I would say "because it was my legal right to and I chose to do so."

This... exactly.

As long as you have a court order, there is absolutely nothing to explain. Actually, if they don't update your account, it could be easily argued that they are contributing to a 'false identity' since the name on your account/card no longer legally exists.

I'm usually in favor of 'least resistance', but in this case there's nothing more to say... they need to follow the court order. <drops mic>

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 16:15:40 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@Shooting-For-800 wrote:
Ii would just send in the information without a reason.

if it works, fine. If not, deal with it then.

If pushed, I would say "because it was my legal right to and I chose to do so."
This... exactly.

As long as you have a court order, there is absolutely nothing to explain. Actually, if they don't update your account, it could be easily argued that they are contributing to a 'false identity' since the name on your account/card no longer legally exists.

I'm usually in favor of 'least resistance', but in this case there's nothing more to say... they need to follow the court order. <drops mic>

See that was my issue with the whole thing. I have changed all of my cards, bank accounts, license, gun permit, SS card, etc. Everything you can think of, and nobody has asked me to explain why, until I got to Capital One. I don't necessarily have a problem explaining why, except that I don't think it is their business. The judge signed the order, therefore my legal last name is XXXXXX now. What more is needed, really, for them to change my card? The CSR told me if it had been because of marriage or divorce, he could have changed it while I was on the phone with him with no questions asked. I had been hesitant to change my name for a while, but someone on this forum said something to the effect of "why do you think changing it is such a big deal? People do it all the time and companies know how to deal with it." LOL OK... all companies except for Capital One can deal with it easily.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 16:13:53 GMT

@bestchoiceglobal wrote:
I would probably feel the same way, but I honestly would just tell them. For the simplicity of things, that is. We don't know your reasoning but let me give an example: You've had this horrible relationship with your dad and he's some monster, you hate having any association with him. You tell them: I switched it back to my maternal family name. You know what I mean? They just may just want some info for fraud type of reasons. I really don't know but that's what I would do.

This is almost 100% accuarate. LOL Great guess!

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 21:51:14 GMT

@UncleB wrote:
@Shooting-For-800 wrote:
Ii would just send in the information without a reason.

if it works, fine. If not, deal with it then.

If pushed, I would say "because it was my legal right to and I chose to do so."
This... exactly.

As long as you have a court order, there is absolutely nothing to explain. Actually, if they don't update your account, it could be easily argued that they are contributing to a 'false identity' since the name on your account/card no longer legally exists.

I'm usually in favor of 'least resistance', but in this case there's nothing more to say... they need to follow the court order. <drops mic>

Drops the mic... I it!

I agree with both Shooting & UncleB. The court order is ALL you need. Trust me, if they have questions, they will run it by their legal department. You're good Annipoo.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 22:33:02 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@bestchoiceglobal wrote:
I would probably feel the same way, but I honestly would just tell them. For the simplicity of things, that is. We don't know your reasoning but let me give an example: You've had this horrible relationship with your dad and he's some monster, you hate having any association with him. You tell them: I switched it back to my maternal family name. You know what I mean? They just may just want some info for fraud type of reasons. I really don't know but that's what I would do.
This is almost 100% accuarate. LOL Great guess!

Edited to correct the quote.

Bestchoice's explanation struck a chord in me too. The explanation reminded me of a quote from Hope Floats.

"Birdee Pruitt: Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will... "

I apologize for getting sappy.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

UncleB — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 00:23:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@Shooting-For-800 wrote:
Ii would just send in the information without a reason.

if it works, fine. If not, deal with it then.

If pushed, I would say "because it was my legal right to and I chose to do so."
This... exactly.

As long as you have a court order, there is absolutely nothing to explain. Actually, if they don't update your account, it could be easily argued that they are contributing to a 'false identity' since the name on your account/card no longer legally exists.

I'm usually in favor of 'least resistance', but in this case there's nothing more to say... they need to follow the court order. <drops mic>

See that was my issue with the whole thing. I have changed all of my cards, bank accounts, license, gun permit, SS card, etc. Everything you can think of, and nobody has asked me to explain why, until I got to Capital One. I don't necessarily have a problem explaining why, except that I don't think it is their business. The judge signed the order, therefore my legal last name is XXXXXX now. What more is needed, really, for them to change my card? The CSR told me if it had been because of marriage or divorce, he could have changed it while I was on the phone with him with no questions asked. I had been hesitant to change my name for a while, but someone on this forum said something to the effect of "why do you think changing it is such a big deal? People do it all the time and companies know how to deal with it." LOL OK... all companies except for Capital One can deal with it easily.

I'm truly sorry (and very surprised!) you're having this problem with Capital One. I remember the thread a while back where you were talking about the name change, and I think it even may have been me that mentioned that "people do it all the time" - which is true!

Honestly, if it were me, I would give it one more shot with a CSR. I'm thinking (hoping?) that you might have gotten a CSR that didn't know what he was doing (imagine that!). If you still get push-back, I would ask for a point of contact in their legal department. I can imagine their lawyers would have an issue with having a 'live' account with an alias as the name, which is what your old name is at this point. (I would continue to stress that... the name on your account no longer legally exists.)

Since they gave you the mail-in address, you could just mail in the information requested (without providing details on the reason - that's between you and the judge, I don't care what they say). I highly suspect as long as they get a copy of the court order, your name would be updated without any explanation at all.

Honestly, this whole situation is quite bizarre, and of all the banks to have issue I would have thought Capital One would have been one of the 'easy' ones. I'm still confused how a marriage or divorce is 'different' to them from a 'court order', since a name change from a marriage or divorce is actually (technically) a 'court order' as well (marriage licenses via judge of probate, divorce decree via circuit court judge, at least in my state). I think it's also telling that you mention you've had no problems with all the other places, some of which are notoriously difficult to deal with (DMV, SS), and yet they were fine.

I've got my fingers crossed that Capital One simply has a 'training opportunity', and that once you get the right person, they'll quickly come around. Please keep us posted!

(Side note: To me, this would be an excellent reason to contact the EO, or possibly even better, reach out to them on social media. Something tells me once the 'right folks' find out what's happening, they will be falling over themselves to get this corrected).

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

UncleB — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 00:34:54 GMT

@beautifulblaquepearl wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@bestchoiceglobal wrote:
I would probably feel the same way, but I honestly would just tell them. For the simplicity of things, that is. We don't know your reasoning but let me give an example: You've had this horrible relationship with your dad and he's some monster, you hate having any association with him. You tell them: I switched it back to my maternal family name. You know what I mean? They just may just want some info for fraud type of reasons. I really don't know but that's what I would do.
This is almost 100% accuarate. LOL Great guess!
Edited to correct the quote.
Bestchoice's explanation struck a chord in me too. The explanation reminded me of a quote from Hope Floats.
"Birdee Pruitt: Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will... "
I apologize for getting sappy.

Very eloquent quote, beautifulblaquepearl, and pertinent to most everybody!

I especially like the part highlighted... there's so much truth there. Thank you so much for sharing it!

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 01:31:54 GMT

I am going to do as suggested above and fax the letter and documentation without an explanation and see what happens. Maybe they will update the accounts and not ask for anything else. Only time will tell.

Thanks for the reponses all. Glad to know I'm not the only one that thinks Capital One's response is odd.

And I love the Hope Floats quotes. Haven't watched rhat movie since it came out.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 01:36:09 GMT

Good luck!

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

GalaxyStars — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 03:13:51 GMT

I had a legal name change, changed my first name.

And I had to send them documents, court order, new updated ID.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:34:17 GMT

@GalaxyStars wrote:
I had a legal name change, changed my first name.

And I had to send them documents, court order, new updated ID.

I just faxed them a letter with the court order and driver's license. I hope it all goes smoothly like the other card companies. Did Capital One give you any problems after you sent them the information? Did they ask you to explain why you chose to change your name?

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

GalaxyStars — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:38:12 GMT

No it was very simple, they didn't request anything specific regarding why, however they DID want my court order via US Postal Mailing as they wouldn't accept fax for me.

Re: Cap 1 name change on credit cards

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 14:39:36 GMT

@GalaxyStars wrote:
No it was very simple, they didn't request anything specific regarding why, however they DID want my court order via US Postal Mailing as they wouldn't accept fax for me.

Ok. Well if they ask for that, it would be quite simple. Thanks for responding.