@Creditplz wrote:
Smh.... The people at Sychrony are really on my nerves!! My accounts are still locked... If they give me BS tomorrow again they can keep those cards. V
Any theory as to what may have brought this about?
@ohreally7654 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@ohreally7654 wrote:Synchrony, you have done me a favor. But you have completely shot yourselves in the foot as a company with all of this negative PR, not to mention all of the other customers who've been unfairly negatively impacted in multiple ways.
This whole thing has been handled very poorly all the way around. I will be a little sad to lose my Amazon and Care Credit accounts, but I refuse to give them a 4506-T and in general, I really don't want to do business with them again after all of this.
+1000.
Very sorry you are going through this, ohreally.
Action items
One thing I might suggest that others did when the Comenity situation was happening. Pipeguy and a few others let the merchant partner of the credit card know what was happening. For example, pipeguy was a very good customer at Caesar's Resorts and his Total Rewards Visa was shut down right after Comenity granted him a very nice APR reduction.
One would think that a customer who merited an APR reduction would be in favorable eyes of the lender and would not be shut down a few days later, but that is exactly what happened.
He spoke with Caesar's Resorts executive team and I believe several other myfico members did as well, and gave their opinon about how Comenity's actions were reflecting poorly on Caesar's Resorts overall.
Other myfico members contacted J Crew and West Elm CEO offices and let them know that the way Comenity was handling situations impacted their decision on whether to continue to be a regular, very good customer of those stores.
Now, I understand that any small handful of customers is not necessarily going to make a dent in a bank such as Synchrony's bottom line by doing this. I also understand that lenders can close anyone's card at any time. But I think that often taking action results in greater empowerment, and also greater visibility of the issue to others.
Potential paths to action
Some people may choose to voice their opinion to merchant partners about Synchrony singling out customers with a good track record for a freeze, and then sending their sensitive tax and financial information to a 3rd party data collector.
Others may choose to express their opinion via social media, or via online reviews.
I think it is wise to do whatever you think fits your situation and whatever you feel comfortable with.
It would be different if Synchrony were freezing accounts due to concerns about the credit health of certain cardholders. That's not an issue that merchant partners can or should be concerned about, as it's Synchrony's decision. However, we are talking about people with solid payment histories and years of relationship with both the lender and the merchant partner.
I'm simply saying that it's not a bad idea to increase awareness with our merchant partners, and other consumers in general, of what is happening.
Increasing awareness can be very helpful
Perhaps by doing so, we can inform others of the types of behaviors that Synchrony chooses to engage in.
It may help someone.
The whole thing is a shame and is unnecessary when you are talking about solid customers who have shown a positive payment history.
@ohreally7654 wrote:
Thank you so much, humu, I really have appreciated being a part of such a supportive and educational community.
I love the idea of increasing awareness of this issue and bringing this to the attention of the merchants associated with these cards. I'm sure they would love to be made aware of the fact that Synchrony's actions could be potentially harming their businesses.
I know that, for example, I will now be doing all of my grocery shopping at Target with my Red Card, versus splitting it between Target and Walmart. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.
Awareness is often times the key and catalyst to change. Thank you for your thoughtful post and suggestions.
@humuhumunukunukuapua'a wrote:
Excellent post, ohreally, and I especially love your comments that I bolded. Very nice. 
ohreally, I also give you a lot of credit for not only sharing your experiences with us, but also in being so level-headed and action oriented so soon after what you just went through.
It probably feels akin to being hit by a bus, yet you are doing your best to share and help the community, and take steps to move forward.
I think that says a lot about your character and I don't know if many of us would have been able to be so action-oriented after this kind of shock. Good job.
@Anonymous wrote:
@UncleB wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:I was told few minutes ago by a SB CSR bank account and by mail only.
I'm not doubting your word at all, but I think the CSR was likely mistaken about payments from a checking account's bill pay not being acceptable.
In 25+ years of making payments I've honestly never heard of that, not even once.
Only payments accepted are from a bank account or sending your payment by mail, payments by phone or with a CSR are not being accepted.
Got it... thanks for the clarification!
No clue... I have large exposure with them but I've spent and PIF about 5k, they've already verified income once... Now they want to verify it again which makes no sense what so ever... 
there must be chimps working at Synchrony 
there must be chimps working at Synchrony