Visa Classic (Providian Bank)

Pros: Low fixed rate on purchases.
Cons: High rate on cash advances.

This Epinion covers a Providian Platinum VISA that I got through a mail offer last fall.

After the Providian offer came in the mail, with a 7.9% fixed rate on purchases, I couldn't resist. I was not actively seeking a new card. The card is...

Pros: Not many. Can get card if credit spotty or none.
Cons: Yes, they are con artists. BEWARE!

Other than failing on a couple of occasions to properly post timely payments, the first year with them was uneventful. Then last year, my statements stopped coming. Since I pay from the statements, didn't notice right away. When I did, I called and...

Pros: None
Cons: Everything

I have been a great Providian customer for over 2 years. I have been rebuilding my credit and needed to start somewhere, despite th 29.99% interest rate. A few days ago I get a letter in the mail saying my account has been closed due to derogatory events...

Pros: Ha!
Cons: 29.99% interest rate to "insure the satisfaction of its customers."

In every state except Delaware it is illegal to charge an interest rate of 25% or higher. This is called usery, and people go to jail for this with the label "loan shark." But in the great state of Delaware, which apparently has as its only perk to...

Pros: they say such very nice things about themselves...
Cons: they are skilled con artists. Their messages are profoundly misleading.

Providian is simply proof that sometimes, the bad guy wins... for the time being at least. They w ...

Pros: worst card in the univers
Cons: Providian visa is the worst credit card you can apply for

Providian via is the worst credit card you can apply for. They give one rate at first then they charge you smething else after.
Because of providian I lost thousands of dollars.
I contacted the BBB when providian knew about my inquery to BBB...

Pros: Higher credit limit, easy to get. Good website.
Cons: High APR, Extremely high APR.

About 2 years ago I opened my first credit card, the Visa Classic from Providian. I started off with a $500 credit line, which at the time was fine for me, a 16.9 (or so) APR, and an $80 or $90 annual fee. After thinking over the annual fee for a week,...

Pros: high balance , ease of obtaining a card
Cons: needs fixed rate and grace period, minimize fees

Just a note from a new Providian visa account holder. First they gave me a high credit balance when many others would not. They did mess up on a payment but the customer service department immediately fixed it. They were kind and helpful when I called. I...

Pros: easy to get
Cons: HARD TO GET OUT OF

Well, gang February is right around the corner and guess what came in the mail yesterday? Providian's statment. Now I have 2 accounts with Providian (for many years) and every month I give them business and every month they get my payment (even though...

Pros: Anyone can get accepted
Cons: High interest rates, annual fees, application fees, credit limit increase fees, etc.

For those with bad credit/no credit, it appears to be a dream come true. But after applying for the card the dream becomes a nightmare.

Providian will destroy your bank account. Their outrageous fees will cause your wallet to get thinner...

Pros: Great for my first six years with them
Cons: After six years they do it to you, 29.99% interest rates with no reason

I had great service with them for six years, interest rate at 15.99% then for no reason raise my rate to 29.99% - I contacted them and they said they sent me 2 letters explaining why, but I didn't get them - I contacted them and they told me they would...

Pros: It is a line of credit which should NEVER hit the limit.
Cons: It can become an interest rate trap to be avoided!

With a default Interest Rate on my card at 31.49% (credit limit of $3,635.00) - they have figured out how to trap customers into an eternal revenue source by applying not warning you when annual fee's are going to be applied (which seem to pop up ...

Pros: Starts out good but then........
Cons: Will not give you back your money!

This credit card was issued to us after a bad run with credit and we gratefully accepted assuming that we could rebuild our credit from there. WRONG. We had this credit card approximately 8 months before we had the money to pay it off. Do you know that...

Pros: An opportunity to establish a closer relationship with your lawyer
Cons: Extremely shady tactics

A couple of years ago, I was singing Providian's praises. After my credit had gone down the tubes, Providian was the most generous in granting me new credit. I started with a $300 card, and within 2 years had a $6500 limit. My interest rate had been...

Pros: Easy To Get A Credit Card
Cons: You Will End Up Paying Out The A** In The Long Run!!!

Do not get any Providian visa cards. Despite them being in the news for fraud on their customers, I decided to get my first credit card through Providian (a Visa Classic).
What a mistake. What they do is, send you a late notice before your bill is...