Company information:
Applied Bank
Wilmington, Delaware
United States
appliedbank.com
I stopped Applied Bank BEFORE they could rip me off. This story actually has a happy ending, and I hope anyone who has been ripped off by these knuckleheads learn from my experience:
I had applied for a secured credit card from Applied Bank in August. I sent in the 250 dollars and was approved.
A week went by and decided to look up the site and see when I could expect the card. I had a question on what happens to the deposit I made and decided to look it up in the FAQ section of the site. There was no information whatsoever there, the first red flag.
I called them, and after being lead on a loop that keeps just giving me the account information and balance spread over an irritating 10 minutes, finally called a number (non-877 or 800) for PAYING THEM did I get through.
I explained to them I was curious what happens to the balance and the customer service rep was evasive with a nightmare out of Catch-22:
She "The balance is kept in a- non-interest account (!) and will be paid back to once you leave us. "
Me:"Ok...why is that not on the site?"
She:"Your account is set up where you have to call us for the information."
Me:"You mean it's not on the site at all?"
She:" Sir, you just axed (asked) me that question. Now you have your answer. You have to look through the site and if you don't find it, you have to call us."
Me: "Yes, of course that's why I'm calling you. Where is the information? Who do I talk to about this?"
She :" You have to look for it. I don't go to the website so I don't know where it is. If you can't find it, you have to call us."
Me:"So if I send this information to the FDIC, there will be no problem finding it?"
That ended the conversation in a hurry.
What they didn't know is I am a former network news correspondent and recorded the whole conversation getting it ready for national news casts and YouTube. This CSR was barely articulate and went round and round with me on this... I will post the conversation simulateneously with any national news organization that runs it. I will let you all know when...see how close this experience matches your own.
The good news--and ANYONE can do this--call your bank and have them reverse charges...Applied Bank might fight you, but these cowards won't fight a real Bank and the FDIC. Do this within 90 days and you won't have a problem getting your money back.
And...I encourage everyone to find the physical location of Applied Bank and go in, demonstrating your Second Amendment rights and demand to speak to someone in authority. Maybe then they'll listen to you.
