GM Credit Card Tips

Posted On: September 5, 2006

Author: Verne
Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2004 1:38 pm
Post subject: Activating my GM card

At 12:00pm noon today, January 31st, I called to activate my GM card using the 800# affixed to the credit card. I had to listen to a sales pitch for “identity theft protection” while my card was being activated. I was then instructed to press “1″ to accept or “2″ to decline. Since it sounded overpriced at $9.95 and I didn’t want purchases at 17% on my card, I pressed “2″ to decline the offer. I was then asked, “are you sure?” and had to listen to even more of the sales pitch, and was again asked to press “1″ or “2″. I pressed “2″.

I find it objectionable to go through a long sales pitch while merely trying to activate my card. I also found the form the card was glued to misleading. A form for “credit protection” is on the same piece of paper and some might think this is somehow required to activate the card. At 0.84 per $100 owed this is outrageous - especially since they have a track record of failing to live up to their agreement anyway. I didn’t even think credit protection was legal, since most state attorney generals recognize it as a scam.

Finally, I’m writing this note on January 31st, 2004, to attest that I declined any sort of ID theft protection or credit protection while activating my GM card. Household Bank has been known for charging cardholders with junk they didn’t order. It’s sad I have to go to these great lengths and use a message board for verification but I don’t trust HHLB.

Verne, I thought you already had the GM card.

“Verne, I thought you already had the GM card.”

I do. I guess my card was about to expire and they sent me a new one. Even though I don’t use it for purchases, I thought I had better activate it, at least to let them know I got it.

One time I neglected to activate a card and the card company nearly closed the account fearing it was lost or stolen.

Can’t get the auto log-in to work and posted in guest mode. Anyway, the above post is mine.

I don’t blame you one bit, what you should also do is put it in writing and send a copy of the letter that you are officially declining the id theft protection plan and any other plan that is optional with the card.

Then keep that letter stored safe away so that you are covered but good.

I have had that happen before, especially with JC Penney - all the time up and down with the stupid insurance coverage plan they had.

I closed that card like 2 years ago, and still receive solicitation from them for insurance. One mistake I made just once accepting then canceling since my doctors where not in the plan network.