Skip to Content

New to the Mac? Check out TUAW's Mac 101

No gasoline for me: MasterCard cancels my card

More
Text SizeAAA

Filed under: Credit, Consumer Complaints, Credit Reports

Stopped at my local Shell station recently to fill up my van. I have used my Shell MasterCard for almost six years due to the discount that it offers for Shell purchases.

Much to my surprise, the pump refused to authorize my card and said, "See Attendant."

Well, I HATE going into the stations, that is part of the reason I like to pay at the pump. I talked with the attendant who informed me that my card was declined.

What? I have never missed a payment, never been late, and always paid my balance in full. I quickly got on the phone to the credit card company who informed me that a "recent full review of my credit resulted in the cancellation of my card." When I tried to press them as to what was the issue, they suggested I review my credit information. I informed them that it would have been nice to know I was canceled BEFORE I went to the gas station to get the gas. She said, "A letter will be coming shortly."

Since both of my college kids are on my gas card, I quickly got calls from them wondering if we were going into bankruptcy. I dodged their questions while I looked up my credit information on the internet. Yes, there was a very old bill that I had refused to pay because I didn't owe it from 2006, but also a recent entry from Boston Store. Now, I have no idea why Boston Store reported me to the credit agencies. I don't owe them money, paid them on time, and have never missed a payment.



I quickly filed a dispute and contacted the billing for Boston Store to ask, "What gives?" I was informed by customer service that there does appear to be an error on their part. He told me to print out the credit report and fax it back with a signature for them to re-evaluate.

I was irate. As I explained to them, it was their mistake, not mine. Why can't they fix it? Why does it mean additional time, hassle, and problems for me? I can see why people get in trouble with their credit through no fault of theirs!

I will be faxing the report tomorrow. I'll let you know what happens.

Barbara Bartlein is the People Pro. For her FREE e-mail newsletter, please sign up at The People Pro.

Subscribe to Walletpop

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

The Health Benefits of Massage
Massages are a wonderful luxury and also one of the few traditionally "guilty pleasures" that aren't ...
The History of Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most popular foods in the world yet it has a very elusive history -- so many ...

Bob Cesca
Bob Cesca Filed under: Banks, Borrowing

Senate bank bill could allow 'too big to fail' banks to grow even bigger

The chain grocery store where my wife and I shop has a bank in it. There's the frozen food section, the bakery section, the pharmacy and ... the bank. It's not even a particularly large grocery store, ...
Barbara Bartlein
Barbara Bartlein Filed under: Budgets, Saving Money, Tax

Is NASA still the best use of US tax dollars?

Despite cost overruns totaling nearly $1.1 billion in nine of its flagship projects, NASA will see its 2010 fiscal year budget increase to $18.7 billion. Combined with the $1 billion NASA got from the ...
Julia Scott
Julia Scott Filed under: Bargain Babe

$5 off coupon at Rite Aid

Get $5 off a purchase of $25 or more at Rite Aid now until Dec. 12. In store only. The fine print says you cannot combine it with any other offers, but I can't imagine they wouldn't let you use it ...
Julia Scott
Julia Scott Filed under: Health, Bargain Babe

Neutrogena 25% off coupon

For a limited time, get 25% off your entire purchase at Neutrogena.com when you buy at least three items. Plus, get bonus samples with every purchase and free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Not ...

Headlines from WalletPop Partners