I had a negative experience with Barclay's back in late 2006. (Long story, short version: I applied for a card using my full mailing address. They shortened it and changed it, so they literally mailed the card and the first few statements to another address, and I didn't even know they'd approved me for the card until the 4th or 5th statement happened to make it to my house. I called them up, complained that they were using an incomplete/incorrect address, they refused to change anything, I paid the balance in full and they cancelled the line that same day).
Now it's nearly 11 years later. I applied last week for a particular retailer's card, and despite a 788 FICO score, was declined. I got a letter today stating they declined me without checking my credit, so I'm assuming they must have a blacklist of some sort. (Also, I've moved since the original problem in 2006, so their problem being unable to use my full mailing address doesn't apply to my new address).
I'm assuming they have a blacklist of some sort. Anyone able to confirm this, and any idea how long they keep people on the blacklist?
Thanks!
Starting Score: 2014 775
I have a question, OP...
How was there a balance due on the card if you never received it and didn't even know they'd approved it until 5 statements in?
If you didn't make those charges, why did you pay it off? Wouldn't that have been a case of identity theft and/or credit card fraud? In which case, you shouldn't have been liable and it shouldn't have been held against you.
Clearly I'm missing something here...there must be more to this story...?
Chase Sapphire Reserve $30,000 | Amex BCP $30,000 | Discover It $30,000 | Citi Simp $16,500 | NFCU Cash Rewards $14,400 | Citi DC $9,800 | Chase Freedom $9,000 | VS $4,100 | Kohl's $3,000 | Loft $3,000
The card had an annual fee, which was charged on the very first statement when they opened the account. Unfortunately, since I never received the card or the first few statements, as Barclay's tacked on interest and late charges, the balance grew very quickly.
The card had an annual fee that was charged on the very first statement. Of course, since I hadn't gotten the card nor the first few statements, by the time a statement - by sheer luck - landed at my house, there was the original annual fee, then the second statement's late fee plus interest charges, and then the third statement's late fee plus interest charges... and the fourth statement's late fee and interest charges.
So although no one ever actually used the card, I still was held responsible for the charges. I did point out to Barclay's that I had never activated the card because I had never received it. They did not care. I owed the money, it was going to be on my credit report forever unless I paid the balance in full, I had them take the full amount out of my checking account over the phone - and then they cancelled the card.