Capital One encouraging me into debt

chrismbt

I had a Capital One credit card but I haven't actually used it since May 2012 and never carried a balance on it.

Recently they emailed me offering me 1% cashback and I accepted the offer, but still didn't use the card. I have another one which offers 3% cashback so I use that for fuel and other regular spending and pay it off at the end of every month.

Then they sent me a PIN reminder. I hadn't asked for one so I was suspicious - had someone else asked for one with the intention of intercepting my mail and getting my PIN. Apparently they thought I might have forgotten my pin so sent me a reminder.

They have sent me emails encouraging me to use the card, to put it at the front of my wallet so that I "don't forget to use it"!

My card doesn't expire till 2014, but today they sent me a replacement, with the same security code on the back. So they have recently sent me a new card and my pin, without me knowing they were coming. If someone had been stealing my mail they would now have an unsigned card and my PIN and I wouldn't know they had gone missing, as I never asked for them and wasn't expecting them.

So I cut up both cards and called them to cancel. I think this is entirely irresponsible, especially as this card is designed for people who have got into debt problems in the past.

goonarmy

Why is the card for people with previous debt problems?

planteria

i wouldnt look at it that way.
you dont want the account, so you have closed it...fair enough
they have given you a line of credit & they want you to use it
or close it....as you have done:T

spinningsheep

You forget though, Capital One are a private company in the business to make money. Nobody forces you to use the card, they are simply encouraging you to use the credit facility they have granted you. Responsibility is still that overall of the card holder on whether to use it, and indeed pay it back. I have been in terrible debt myself and I acknowledge that it was my own doing, nobody else, and I now use my credit cards responsibly, and pay them on time and where possible in full. I get emails every week from Pounds2pocket asking me to increase my loan, I get cards through the door from Provident offering me another loan. I just ignore them. I would not agree it is irresponsible at all, simply business, they are not a charity. Please do not take this in the wrong way, meant in the best of intention.

callum9999

Stop the press! A credit card company wants people to use their credit cards!?

bargainbetty

They are a business. They want you to use the card. They send you reminders and offers to make you remember that you have the card. They do not 'encourage you into debt' because they do not say that you cannot pay the card off in full every month, they are asking you to use the facility you have.

Wait for a cross post about someone who hasn't used their card in months, have a zero balance and the bank have decided to withdraw it, leaving them with no card next....

Nice_Weather_For_Ducks

Although I agree with all the replies the OP has received, I still think sending out an un-requested PIN reminder, and marketing telling him to "put the card at the front of your wallet" are unacceptable.

MPH80

In the last 8 years I've spent tens of thousands on credit cards and not been in debt.

He was offered cash back ... It doesn't mean he won't pay it back in full. To pay less than the full payment is entirely the individuals choice regardless of any marketing.

Would the same actions have somehow been acceptable if it was a debit card? That could have an overdraft. But it'd be the individual's choice to use it ...