The Most Hassle-Full “No Hassles” Credit Card

For various reasons, Monica and I decided to apply for a Capital One “No Hassles” credit card. Simple enough, right?

Of course not.

Online application process was quick and easy. Approved within minutes. Great!

But that’s when the fun started.

While waiting for the new credit card to arrive, I get a call from my mom. Capital One had called their house to verify information as part of their fraud prevention techniques. WHAT?! Why on earth would they call a phone number that:

1. Isn’t the one I provided on the application?
2. Isn’t my current residence?
3. Has not been a phone number I have used in thirteen years?

That is ridiculous. I do not appreciate Capital One calling a phone number that, while luckily ended up belonging to my parents, was not mine. They could have been talking to a complete stranger inquiring about my personal, private financial transaction.

Okay, I finally get ahold of someone knowledgeable at Capital One and get that cleared up. Finally received the cards and proceeded to make two purchases one of which was large. 

More troubles. I get an email from one of the places where I made a purchase saying they could not receive authorization for the purchase.

So I get back on the phone with Capital One who proceed to inform me that my account is restricted due to suspected fraud.

WHAT?!

Supposedly, this “no hassles” credit card indeed comes with some hassles.. such as requiring a phone call to Capital One when you’re going to make a purchase over a certain dollar amount. That’s not a hassle, right?

Okay, so I confirm the purchases and restriction removed. All clear, right?

Nope. Not on this “no hassles” credit card.

A few days ago I receive my PIN number in the mail. I proceed to check online for a place to change it to something I would remember. And what do I notice? The account is once again restricted!

So I again call up Capital One. Apparently, their fraud department once again flagged my account as potential fraud. In order to have the restriction removed, I will need to fax them my driver’s license, social security card, and a utility bill that isn’t a cell phone bill.

Wait.. huh?

Let me see if I get this straight. I apply for a credit card, I receive the credit card, I make purchases, I confirm purchases.. and my card is just now being flagged as potential fraud?!

So being the inquisitive person that I am, I ask the third representative I had been transfered to (since the previous two were obviously reading from a script) what would happen if I didn’t send the information they requested? It’s a legitimate question since there is no way I am faxing my social security card to them. He tells me I can go to my bank and have them call Capital One to perform a “visual verification”. Okay, fine. So I continue on with my inquisition by asking, “And if I don’t do that?” My account remains restricted. Okay, so what. Capital One just won’t receive any additional money from me. The representative says, “That’s your decision, but you will still be liable for the balance.” Of course I am.. I made the purchases; I am going to pay for them.

Fraud prevention and ID theft is big these days. I get that. I deal with it every day at work. I fully understand the need to be absolutely certain about these things. But Capital One has done everything backwards here: account approved, credit card mailed, purchases made, then restrict the account for fraud prevention? No. Fraud prevention means just that — being proactive in fraud prevention; not being reactive.

Luckily for Capital One this one case is not fraud. I cannot imagine the amount of money they have actually lost due to real fraud based on their backwards fraud prevention techniques.

My take – avoid Capital One at all costs. Their “no hassles” credit card is anything but free from hassles.