AT&T Universal Credit Card - Credit Protector problems

AT&T Universal Credit Card - Credit Protector problems

Credit Protector for AT&T Universal Credit Card

Complaint is about:

Credit Protector for AT&T Universal Credit Card

P.O. Box 901016

Fort Worth, Texas 76101-2424

(888) 592-7344 ( 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. EST, M-F )

To Whom It May Concern:

I have an AT&T Universal Credit Card, in which I have been very pleased with their services so far. I have Credit Protector, which covers you for disability, which I have been very displeased with their lack of abilities, only outdone by their lack of accurate information/knowledge in the customer service area(s).

On March 22, 2002, I had obtained a doctors note, informing (whomever) of my physical disabilities, which were listed by the physician as long term and permanent.

Under new policy provisions, ALL cardmembers (which I am STILL a cardmember in good standing), are and have been entitled to new benefits from Credit Protector. (The exact date this change took place is unknown). There are no additional charges or costs for these changes in benefits, they are automatic to each and every cardholder member.

Originally, under Credit Protector, you were entitled to a 24 month deferment of your monthly payments, providing you met the criteria, which I have (I am disabled). After the new changes came out, the 'old' policy or the 'original policy' that I had signed up under was now refered to as 'Short-Term Disability Benefits'. In this situation, you are entitled to ONLY the 24 month deferment.

Under the 'changed' or 'new' policy benefits, you are entitled to the 24 month deferment, plus if still disabled after 24 months of deferment ends, were also entitled to have Credit Protector pay off your credit card balance in the amount up to, but not higher than $10,000.00. These benefits are referred to as 'Long-Term Disability Benefits' which also entitle you to have the ending balance paid off, unlike the 'Short-Term Disability Benefits' . These changes were applicable from April 1st, 2002 and on.

I called Credit Protector to inform them of my disability on April 11th, 2002, which is obviously AFTER April 1st, 2002. Therefore it should fall under the NEW provisions, entitling me to a final payoff of my AT&T Universal Credit Card balance.

I filled out the necessary paperwork and turned it in to them. They had received it, reviewed it, processed i, and did not get my disability deferment ACTIVATED until May 28th, 2002, which is obviously WAY AFTER April 1st, 2002. Therefore, this is ANOTHER reason that it should fall under the NEW provisions, entitling me to a final payoff of my AT&T Universal Credit Card balance. In addition to this, I was responsible for keeping up my payments until this above activation took place in order to stay in good standing and to avoid higher interest rates and late penalty fees.

During the deferment, due to the run-around I have received from the Customer Service Reps @ Credit Protector, I find it safe to say that the reps may be clueless. I have received five different stories from five different reps on what to do, or how to correct the original issue, which I am not even discussing here as a problem. Therefore, the multiple 'problems or issues' were compounded by different versions of

1) What the policy is, and length/duration

2) How to resolve it

3) Whom to address to get it resolved

4) Where to send the letter, (since speaking to any 'live' supervisor was NOT an option available to resolve it.)

(The last paragraph was just an additional annoyance - not the issue.)

The real point is, is that I was an active card member on April 1st, 2002, and did not apply til after then, was not activated til after then, and am entitled to the SAME benefits as the others, whom have filed disability claims months later, who will have their balances paid off after their twenty-four months of deferment.

I am sure there are many others who have applied around the same date as I, who have similar or exact issues, questions, and / or complaints. (I am aware that those names shall remain anonymous, and are confidential, and I will never meet them to file a petition in an attempt to start a 'group' claim against Credit Protector - though I would LOVE to.) There is strength in numbers - especially when fighting a large corporation.

Here's the kicker ...... they have one little clause that states that its the 'date of disability' that must incur before the first of April to be eligible. Thats what defines whether you are Long or Short Term Disability, and are or are NOT eligible for the balance to be paid off. The doctors note states that I had become disabled NINE days earlier than their deadline of April 1st, 2002! - EVEN THOUGH I DID NOT APPLY FOR DEFERMENT UNTIL AFTER APRIL 1

I would like to know when these benefits changes began applying to the customers Credit Protector coverage for the AT&T Universal Credit Card. I do not feel that if the changes did not take effect on our credit cards until April 1st, that it is unconstitutional to 'back date' the date of disability eligibility date. I also feel that its not fair to deem me as Short Term when I, as a member, am entitled to Long Term Coverage, and I also AM still disabled after two years, and my disability coverage from Credit Protector (that deferred my payments) did not go into 'activation' as being disabled until May 28, 2002.

Also, in another complaint, which I believe I CAN work out on my own, they are trying to terminate my deferment date earlier, stating that as of March 2004, I have used up 23 months of deferment. May 28th, 2002 plus 24 months, in my book, puts me up to May 27th, 2004 - NO? Not April 2004. I will work that out with them, via a letter due to my last 4 attempts (again - for this issue TOO) have not resolved anything! (which, in my experience, is standard procedure for their cust serv reps so far).

So, my goal is to get my balance paid off after my 24 months of deferment ends, as I am still a cardmember, who did not apply, nor was my application to defer payments approved until well after April 1st, 2002.

Irrelevant facts > I stopped work, had to use up all my vacation pay, which carried me through until approx. mid April, and went without pay until mid June at which point my employer could no longer hold my position and had to replace me.)

HELP is welcome. I have been going for nearly two year without an income, while waiting for SSI to come through. Therefore, the ability to afford legal fees is out of the question. I am head of household, with dependents, if you need to know.

Thank you very much, from someone who feels like they've been:

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