topic Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL in Credit Cards

Update: US Bank is the absolute worst IMO, New CL

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 13:17:01 GMT

Hi All,

I just opened a secured card with US Bank with a CL of $5,000. It's been by far the worst experience I've had with a bank and I bank with citi who will shut your card down at even the slightest indication there could be fraud.

I tried to make a couple online purchases after I opened the card from well known retailers and they were declined. Fine I'll call in to confirm it's me. In order to get the transactions approved I had to talk to a supervisor to get a temporary override even though I verified both my identity and the transactions with the first person. The transaction still was flagged and auto declined by their system. This was literally like Nike.com for $200.

I understand any bank has to mitigate risk and get to know your spending but this already seemed weird. Then I went to the bike shop to purchase a bike on Saturday. Again declined. I had to call in to verify it was me I thought. Wrong. Verification of the purchase and identity was not enough. I had to speak to three layers of managers and verify every piece of information they could think of before they put through an override. Previous managers flat out said there was nothing they could do after removing the fraud block for me to access my CL. I had to keep pushing. It took an hour on the phone at the bike shop and a lot of standing my ground to just get this one purchase approved.

Terrible experience considering I hadn't been informed that my credit line was not usable for larger purchases or in first few days etc. The card is also secured so I just was very upset with the situation. Like if the fraud block is removed you should certainly be able to access a credit line you've been approved for. Does anyone know more about this here?

thanks for your help and reading my rant

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Remedios — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 13:19:04 GMT

I'm sorry this is happening to you.

I dont share your experience, I've never had a declined charge, even when traveling, and my US Bank cards see a lot of use. They havent been the worst, they've been the best, so it's probably better if we dont generalize, as "worst" and "best" are in the eye of beholder.

So, it might help if you'd clarify what do you mean by "fraud block", as fraud block is something placed on the fraudulently opened TLs by CRA to make them "invisible" once proof of identity theft is provided to them.

Do you have advanced location enabled on your phone? That helps, not only with US Bank, but also with Citi cards.

You dont have to use mobile wallet, you only need to have your phone with you.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Caught750 — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 15:17:07 GMT

My experience is the same as Remedios. I've had fantastic experiences with US Bank and when my first card was compromised it was replaced immediately and the the replacement was overnighted.

My US Bank cards get HEAVY use and I've never had an issue or declined charge at all. I'd recommend resolving this issue and then giving them an opportunity as it should be smooth sailing and clear water once it's taken care of.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:14:59 GMT

I'll agree that your experience certainly was horrible. But once you get a spending pattern with them perhaps that will end, and you will no longer have such issues. If things do not improve over the course of a year, perhaps you should simply pull you funds and move on.

While these security measuers are meant to help protect both the lender and consumer, if it becomes too inconvenient then it's not worth having.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:22:03 GMT

I've never had a US Bank card transaction declined or approved (maybe because I've never had a card with them).

But seriously, they are just protecting their money (in your case, your money), and maybe they need to polish their fraud algorithm for the first 20 or so transactions with them (I assume you are new to a US Bank credit card).

When I got my first Chase card 3 years ago, they kept calling me after the first few transactions. I thought maybe they wanted to do a survey after each transaction to see how it went. Once they got to know my erratic and not so erratic spending behavior, they stopped.

I have a new Chase card now and use it a lot. They don't care about me now and haven't called me in 3 years.

Hang in there, they'll get used to you and they won't think Nike or any other normal purchase is strange anymore. They might end up being the "best" card in your wallet.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Cory88 — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:36:21 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi All,

I just opened a secured card with US Bank with a CL of $5,000. It's been by far the worst experience I've had with a bank and I bank with citi who will shut your card down at even the slightest indication there could be fraud.

I tried to make a couple online purchases after I opened the card from well known retailers and they were declined. Fine I'll call in to confirm it's me. In order to get the transactions approved I had to talk to a supervisor to get a temporary override even though I verified both my identity and the transactions with the first person. The transaction still was flagged and auto declined by their system. This was literally like Nike.com for $200.

I understand any bank has to mitigate risk and get to know your spending but this already seemed weird. Then I went to the bike shop to purchase a bike on Saturday. Again declined. I had to call in to verify it was me I thought. Wrong. Verification of the purchase and identity was not enough. I had to speak to three layers of managers and verify every piece of information they could think of before they put through an override. Previous managers flat out said there was nothing they could do after removing the fraud block for me to access my CL. I had to keep pushing. It took an hour on the phone at the bike shop and a lot of standing my ground to just get this one purchase approved.

Terrible experience considering I hadn't been informed that my credit line was not usable for larger purchases or in first few days etc. The card is also secured so I just was very upset with the situation. Like if the fraud block is removed you should certainly be able to access a credit line you've been approved for. Does anyone know more about this here?

thanks for your help and reading my rant

For me was helping a friend with BMO Harris and Alliant FCU.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:47:34 GMT

@AnonymousWhat you have gone through would more than make me upset! You may want to visit and actual US Bank Branch and have them contact the powers to be and verify or whatever to end the situation. Assuming you have a close access to a branch.

Not to side track but, I have never been able to open any product of US Bank on line. Why? Beats me? Once I go into the US Bank Branch I have had 100% success and good results after?!

Did have someone trying to steal my accounts at US Bank and they had them shut down so fast I could hardly respond. Appreciated their very good fraud detection as it saved my bacon!

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:46:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@AnonymousWhat you have gone through would more than make me upset! Would you be able to visit and actual US Bank Branch and have them contact the powers to be and verify or whatever to end the situation.

Not to side track but I have never been able to open any product of US Bank on line. Why? Beasts me. Once I go into the US Bank Branch and open many products success and good results after?! Did have someone trying to steal my accounts and they had it shut down so fast I could hardly respond. Appreciated their very good fraud detection as it saved my bacon!

The downside of excellent fraud detection is overzealous fraud protection.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 20:15:17 GMT

Makes me wonder why they'd be so finicky with a secured card... they're guaranteed payment.

Someone is probably trying out a new logic in the fraud protection program that will fail miserably and eventually get removed. Their customer care center cannot withstand this many calls for this many accounts if they're doing it to everyone.

Never had a US Bank credit card but in talks with a finance manager at a car dealer she said never give anyone you like a US Bank car loan. If you default, it's not just a matter of repossession, they make YOU auction off the car. Not sure how much truth that holds but would you really want to find out? 😅

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 22:15:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Makes me wonder why they'd be so finicky with a secured card... they're guaranteed payment ...

... unless the charges are fraudulent, in which case USB would eat the charges.

New customer, spotty credit -- no offense intended, but I'd be leery too.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Wavester64 — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 22:21:15 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi All,

I just opened a secured card with US Bank with a CL of $5,000. It's been by far the worst experience I've had with a bank and I bank with citi who will shut your card down at even the slightest indication there could be fraud.

I tried to make a couple online purchases after I opened the card from well known retailers and they were declined. Fine I'll call in to confirm it's me. In order to get the transactions approved I had to talk to a supervisor to get a temporary override even though I verified both my identity and the transactions with the first person. The transaction still was flagged and auto declined by their system. This was literally like Nike.com for $200.

I understand any bank has to mitigate risk and get to know your spending but this already seemed weird. Then I went to the bike shop to purchase a bike on Saturday. Again declined. I had to call in to verify it was me I thought. Wrong. Verification of the purchase and identity was not enough. I had to speak to three layers of managers and verify every piece of information they could think of before they put through an override. Previous managers flat out said there was nothing they could do after removing the fraud block for me to access my CL. I had to keep pushing. It took an hour on the phone at the bike shop and a lot of standing my ground to just get this one purchase approved.

Terrible experience considering I hadn't been informed that my credit line was not usable for larger purchases or in first few days etc. The card is also secured so I just was very upset with the situation. Like if the fraud block is removed you should certainly be able to access a credit line you've been approved for. Does anyone know more about this here?

thanks for your help and reading my rant

I feel ya - I am not a fan of theirs either.

First I try for one of their CCs, denied.

Then I try to establish a relationship and sign up for ther lame savings account -- denied yet again.

That's it for me for US Bank.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:05:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Makes me wonder why they'd be so finicky with a secured card... they're guaranteed payment ...
... unless the charges are fraudulent, in which case USB would eat the charges.

New customer, spotty credit -- no offense intended, but I'd be leery too.

They have a duty to keep their own and customer funds safe from fraud. They can't just say, not worried about it, it's not our money lol.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Remedios — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:14:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Makes me wonder why they'd be so finicky with a secured card... they're guaranteed payment ...
... unless the charges are fraudulent, in which case USB would eat the charges.

New customer, spotty credit -- no offense intended, but I'd be leery too.
They have a duty to keep their own and customer funds safe from fraud. They can't just say, not worried about it, it's not our money lol.

Unlike say Amex, who let a charge for pizza in Tokyo go through, even though I've used the physical card in WA state 45 min earlier.

Both approaches have some validity.

Amex predicates theirs on the old, glory days where you didnt want to inconvenience your big money spending customers.

Others, like Chase, will take the bite our of your mouth till they figure out if it's really you chewing.

I haven't had an issue with Citi since turning advanced location on. It's harsh on battery, but high on convenience.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 23:41:40 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Makes me wonder why they'd be so finicky with a secured card... they're guaranteed payment ...
... unless the charges are fraudulent, in which case USB would eat the charges.

New customer, spotty credit -- no offense intended, but I'd be leery too.
They have a duty to keep their own and customer funds safe from fraud. They can't just say, not worried about it, it's not our money lol.
Unlike say Amex, who let a charge for pizza in Tokyo go through, even though I've used the physical card in WA state 45 min earlier.

Both approaches have some validity.
Amex predicates theirs on the old, glory days where you didnt want to inconvenience your big money spending customers.

Others, like Chase, will take the bite our of your mouth till they figure out if it's really you chewing.

I haven't had an issue with Citi since turning advanced location on. It's harsh on battery, but high on convenience.

I hope they didn't let it through the cracks, or maybe they're ok eating the charge so to not inconvenience the cardholder, or their algorithm missed it.

You could get to Tokyo that quick with teleportation.

BoA shut my account down after I got gas and then another gas purchase occured 20 min later 1100 miles away. They might have slow text alerts for charges, but fraud alerts happen immediately.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:10:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
BoA shut my account down after I got gas and then another gas purchase occured 20 min later 1100 miles away. They might have slow text alerts for charges, but fraud alerts happen immediately.

That's nice, unless it's the actual cardholder's transaction that gets denied. lol

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:19:37 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
BoA shut my account down after I got gas and then another gas purchase occured 20 min later 1100 miles away. They might have slow text alerts for charges, but fraud alerts happen immediately.
That's nice, unless it's the actual cardholder's transaction that gets denied. lol

Well, it's a simple check. I can't be in two places at once with a "card present" transaction.

I think BoA now uses smartphone location technology, which might help with some of the other false positives.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 13:14:24 GMT

Thanks all for the responses! I'm going to change the title to US Bank is the absolute worst in my experience.

I'm fairly confident things will improve, but I'm still pretty surprised they approved the CL if they were going to make the customer experience so poor in the beginning.

Similar to what's posted above I had an Amex Gold for years and it never got declined. Different approaches.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:40:47 GMT

Or they could have denied the application outright if they felt too uncomfortable taking that risk...

No one says a bank MUST offer applicants up to $5000 CL for a secured card. Banks decide and choose to accept iffy credit with a secure deposit because they want the funds and they want to make interest off of any card balance, too. If it didn't benefit them to have this product, they'd kill it.

If fraud is indeed their primary concern, then I agree with you. US Bank would be better off giving a $300 unsecured than a higher CL regardless if secured.

My comments were because I am aghast at the difference in customer treatment among card issuers. I'm an AU on my wife's CSR. My pattern of spending on little, everyday items (most things well under $100) threw a flag when I tried to buy her a purse (thankfully online, I think I would have dropped dead if it happened in an LV store) however, her card, wirh next to NO spending history on anything of any sort, was LESS restrictive and allowed the transaction ($1500).

The "was this you?" text and call came with quite a delay, well after we'd made the second attempt and successfully made the purchase.

Re: Update: US Bank is the absolute worst, New CL

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 12:48:15 GMT

Us bank and including their elan card business has treated me well. Better than any other issuer if I had to choose one.

They seem to be the most strict in some ways but once you get in their good graces it's generally smooth sailing after that. I'd give it some time to see how the relationship develops. I know each case is different and some customers get treated bad while others better.

For reference, in my case chase and Citi canceled my accounts never late. The Citi was prob lack of use and chase may have been a new app for another card. While chase and Citi canceled me, us bank/elan has given me a new card, the cash+ with a 7k limit. I have their elan run bmw MasterCard with a 30k limit, and their fidelity card with a 60k limit.

My combined limits with 3 us bank/elan cards currently sits at 97k. I've knocked the stuffing out of the bmw card lately and they haven't batted an eye. They can be very stingy and hard to deal with at first but once it matures they seem to treat customers very very well, at least that's been my case

I remember I asked if they wanted financial documents since I was charging a lot for home repairs. They said no and said the payments I made each month basically told them I could afford what I was spending. I'm not rich by any means but us bank/elan has let me use my cards without worry of a decline. They even said I could charge over my limit on my bmw card when I inquired about it since it's a world MasterCard. And that's with a 740 score, not perfect

Mileage varies but if I had to keep just one issuer it would be them by far