Discover Bank / Discover Financial Services
Reviews and Complaints

My elderly father had his credit cards stolen by a home health aide caring for him. On her 1st day working my father let her use the Discover card to buy some groceries. She returned the card the same day. She later stole the Discover card as well as 2 other cards and used his personal info to get a password over the phone. She withdraw over $1200 on the Discover card and my father was never alerted by them. Now Discover won't cover the loss because they said my father let her use the card on his first day out of the hospital.

I HAVE BEEN A DISCOVER CARDHOLDER FOR MANY YEARS AND PAY ALL MY BILLS ON TIME.I DID NOT RECEIVE MY MONTHLY STATMENT, WHICH TOTALED $11.99. THEY HAD SENT IT TO THE WRONG ADDRESS.THEY SAID ONCE A BILL IS RETURNED THEY NEVER SEND ANOTHER BILL. DUE TO NOT RECEIVING MY BILL, I MISSED THE PAYMENT. THEY SENT THIS INFO TO THE CREDIT BUREAUS AND IT ADVERSELY LOWERED MY CREDIT SCORE BY 85 POINTS.

THE LATE FEE WAS $19 AND MY BILL WAS $11.99. I CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT DISCOVER CARD DOES NOT HAVE TO SEND YOU A BILL, IT IS YOUR REPONSIBILITY TO PAY IT. THEY HAD NO UNDERSTANDING AND SINCE I HAVE ALWAYS PAID THAT BILL AND ALL MY BILLS ON TIME IT IS SO UNFAIR THAT THIS IS GOING TO RUIN MY CREDIT FOR 7 YEARS. THEY WERE SO RUDE AND TOLD ME THEY CAN"T REVERSE IT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT. THEY WON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SOMEHOW SENT IT TO THE WRONG ADDRESS. I HAD A VERY RUDE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT. PLEASE BEWARE AND DON'T LET SOMETHING LIKE THIS RUIN YOUR CREDIT- WHEN IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

My brother took out a discover card in my name, discover sent the card to him at his address, he paid on it out of his bank account! When we found out we did the right thing, we called, we filed fraud charges, we filed a police report, we sent certified letters, we put a fraud alert on our credit report. Disvoer is calling us, hounding us, calling our work, calling 4 times a day every day. They called our boss so many times we were let go! And now they found us again and we already know we will get let go if they dont stop. Actually my brother took out three cards in my name, then called one up told them I was dead so he could transfer it to discover card. As soon as we found out we filed fruad charges.Thats when he quit paying on it, but my goodness they sent the card to him at his address, they sent the bill to his home, he paid it out of his bank account till we filed the charges, and now discover wont do anything about it except hound us to the point of losing jobs!
I blame discover after all had they done something really simple like check a name to an address I would not be in this mess, now would I discover? You broke us, you hounded us, you got us fired, you continue to harass instead of going after my brother! we gave you his name, his address, his businesses he wons, we asked you to check the account he was paying you from, and your answer is we dont do that, this is in your name, you will pay or we will make you pay, and take your home, and get you fired, and make you suffer for the rest of you life.
Well thanks discover we really appreciate that effort, too bad the same effort is not applied the ### hole jerk that you sent the card to in my name!

Discover Card began calling our home 2-3 times a day in April 2010. They were looking for a person that we do not know, that has not had the phone number they are calling or lived at this address. After the first few calls, we made it a point to 'pick up' the phone and talk to someone as they had a error that needed correcting. Their repugnant refusal that we ARE the person they are calling and demanding our account information made us suspicious. So we asked them not to call back and immediately contacted Discover Financial via their web page and calling their 800 number. All that resulted from this is that they now have called us daily 5-6 times per day for this other person for a fraud protection inquiry. This past week they have called in excess of 5x daily Sun-Sat and will not stop calling.
I can't sleep anymore without turning off our phone. With a dependent traveling the US on college break, this is very un-wise. I have already lost several days of work as I was unable to sleep with them calling multiple times per hour once they knew someone was home. This is blatant telephone harassment, and I am not even the person they want to talk to.

I was promised a 7% rate on a balance transfer from Discover. I needed a new roof, mine was leaking, so I took the offer and had several thousand transfered from Discover to my bank account. The 7% APR was suppossed to last a few years, just enough time for me to pay off the debt completely. Problem is that 4 months later they upped it to 24.99% interest instead! I called and complained as I couldn't afford the new rate. They told me I had payed late on a payment. I looked into my records and found that I had actually payed the payment in question a full two weeks early! I called back and complained again. They basically told me to get lost! I tried to pay as best as I could but my husband lost his business and we were left penniless so I stopped paying and started gathering info to do a bankruptcy. However, Discover came in, one week before the bankruptcy was to be filed, with a lawsuit against me to make me pay something I cannot afford and didn't agree upon. This company is slimmy, evil and just downright dishonest. Never ever deal with them if you can avoid them. Their dishonesty and heartless cruelness is appauling.

Here’s the problem:
1) Why should any consumer be required to give Discover access to his or her checking account to be eligible for a reduced payment? What if I did not have a bank account or closed my bank account and was paying via money order? Do you mean to tell me if that is the case the person is not eligible for a reduced payment program? If the objective is to help the consumer pay down his or her debt, then Discover should facilitate that however possible. If they set up a payment plan with me, and I do not stick to it, then increase the interest again…it’s that simple!
2) Why can’t the balance from one card be transferred to the other so there is only one card and one payment? When I got one of the cards, I transferred a balance from a Visa card, but you are telling me they can’t transfer the balance from one Discover Card to another? I am suspecting they refuse to do it because it would mean a reduction in finance charges and interest rates since now they are able to charge me for two Discover accounts instead of one.
3) Why is Discover calling me if there has been no change in the policy about who is eligible for the reduced payment program? They keep calling me and claiming I am eligible for a new program, but when I speak to them, it's the same old program. I have refused to give them my checking account number. No one is going to convince me otherwise!

I will limit this horror story to the most relevant details; a full recitation would be too tedious to write and to read.

On Nov.17 2009 I requested a transfer of $1000 from my Discover Bank online savings account to my local Wachovia checking account which I had previously registered on the Discover website to enable transfers between the two accounts.
Five days later I received an email saying that Wachovia had rejected the transfer and instructing me to call to resolve the issue. I was puzzled because my Wachovia account is and has been in good standing for many years. I called the Discover customer service number and the person who spoke to me was baffled when I told him about the email. He transferred me to another person (after a long time on hold). That person was equally clueless. Thus began an unbelievable ordeal. Over a period of days I was repeatedly transferred from one person to another, with long periods on hold, having to explain the matter from the top to each one.

On the "Overview" page of my account on the Discover website it was indicated that Wachovia had rejected the transfer because they could not identify the account. I soon detected the reason: the disguised account number shown in the email and on my Discover page was twelve digits; my Wachovia account number actually has thirteen digits. To verify the mistake I asked one person to read me my Wachovia account number shown in their records. I was correct, one digit had been dropped. I pointed this out to each person I spoke to but it didn not seem to register with any of them.

At one point I became so exasperated that I demanded that the account be closed and an official check be sent to me. When I received the check it was $1000 less than my correct balance; The thousand dollars in question had apparently vanished into thin air. More phone calls--more time spent on hold--no rusults.

Incredibly over a span of forty-three (43!) days I spoke to thirty-six (36!) individuals by actual count. I estimate that I spent about five hours on the phone (mostly on hold) Twice I was told that the person would research the issue and call me back. That did not happen. Once I was told that if I wrote a letter formally closing the account I would be issued a check for the missing money. I sent the letter and received no response whatsoever. The last person I have spoken with told me they still needed to verify that Wachovia had rejected the transfer. This after forty-three days and despite the fact that they had sent me an email to that effect and despite the fact that the "Overview" page of my account on the Discover website clearly indicates that to be the case.

!@#$#!@!@$

This nightmarish experience was generated by a simple typographical error compounded by a shocking level of indifference and incompetence on the part of Discover Bank's customer service reps and by their apparent confusion over the banks processes. The matter is not yet resolved.

Discover is truly the Bank from Hell. Lawyers riding on elephants could not induce me to deposit another cent in this bank.

I have recently opened up a money market and two CD account with Discover.

I experienced terrible delays in processing my transactions, deposits, withdrawls and any other request, the customer service was the worst and arrogant reps at discover bank.

My check book was ordered and did not delivered to me for almost two months, and debit card never arrived for 3 months till I closed the account.

Due to this horrendous practices of Discover Savings (Bank), I moved out my money market funds. But, when I asked them to close my CDs and deposit the money back, there was so much of hassels they created that I have to send them in writing and only fax can be accepted.

When I send the fax as per their request, they told me after three days that I did not agree for fees. Yes, my fax clearly states that they have to any early withdrawl fees because I am closing discover cds because of their terrible customer service and delays in transactions.

The account manager kept me on the phone for few min to discuss it with her seniors or whoever, came back and said, they will not waive any fees on my CDs?. So, I have to send another fax clearly stating I acknowledge and agree for the fees?. Despite my request, the account manager did not help me.

Discover bank and their administration has to be investigated by FDIC, federal regulators and consumer advocate groups for their deception and cheating behaviors of innocent customers.

Fellow Hardworking American Citizens,

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES GET A DISCOVER CARD!

(Have a bake sale, a car wash, sell stuff on ebay, but don't get screwed by a credit card company, like I am gettting screwed (BUT NOW FIGHTING BACK)

...DON'T GET ANY CREDIT CARD FOR THAT MATTER. I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD THIS BEFORE, BUT IT CAN'T HURT TO HEAR IT ONE MORE TIME BECAUSE IT IS THAT IMPORTANT, NOW MORE THAN EVER, WITH THESE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES AND THEIR BANK CRONIES TEAMING UP WITH WASHINGTON TO BUTT SCREW AMERICA TILL WE SUBMIT OR I GUESS FIGHT BACK LIKE I AM DOING AND YOU SHOULD TO, ONE AT A TIME, WE CAN FIX THIS ###, AND THAT'S DEMOCRACY...

My story or a rough cut of a letter that is truly still a work in progress is below, it is being sent to discover, craft your own letter, fight the power, no more 28% interest, no more debts that last 20 years because they are specially formulated to keep you in debt, based on the companies knowing your payment history that is what you are capable of, and hitting you with fees or an interest rate, to keep you in debt, it is IN DISCOVER CARDS BEST INTEREST FOR YOU TO BE SUFFOCATED WITH DEBT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE, no more!make a stand, the time to fight is now...complain on the internet, post your stories, rants, complaints, even if they are rough like mine, you can come back and hone them up later...also file complaints with the better business bureau...et cetera...more below...

My name is Tom Anderson and I am submitting this formal complaint letter to Discover Card. I am a very dissatisfied customer and will also be submitting this letter with adjustments made per the audience to the Better Business Bureau, City, State and Federal business regulatory commissions, consumer advocacy groups, my local politicians where I first became a Discover card holder, and to the politicians where I currently reside, local, State and Federal. In addition I will wage an all out campaign against Discover Card and their unscrupulous practices via the internet. By any means necessary. I will give Discover Card 7 days from my mailing of this letter to address this situation, I will be willing to negotiate, initially, but in the past when I have battled capitalistic, corrupt institutions like Discover Card I have found they do not work with me until they see the full barrage one motivated consumer can wreak upon their business.

I have held a Discover card for over 9 years; I have 99% of the time paid my bill, in full on time. I have made a lot of money for your company. That is over.

Problem # 1

My credit limit is at roughly $5000, you loaned me $5000, how many times do you think I have paid you $5000, for the privilege of that initial loan, and how many more times does Discover Card expect me to pay another, and another $5000 on that initial loan you made to me years ago. Other consumers may pay, and pay, but I am standing up and telling you, you made your money off of me and we are through. I have not even used my card for almost 2 years only made payments and their that debt is unmovable...and not even just the minimum payments, we're talkng 300 dollars here, 500 this month, 150 another month...and the debt stays the same...

Problem # 2 � Closely tied into Problem #1

Discover Card has figured out a way based on consumers average payments, interest rate, credit limit et cetera to keep a consumer constantly and permanently in debt. We have all heard the statistics of how long it would take most consumers to logically and reasonably pay off their credit card debt. We have also heard of how many hard working, good, decent Americans are buried in your credit card debt. Enoughs, enough.

The real question is, do you settle with me, or do you allow me to begin my campaign to encourage all consumers to fight and push, and push and litigate, and default, until your company collapses.

Problem # 3

You have consumers agree to changes in contracts, not by signing or even reading (Witnessing) the change but simply by continuing to use their card. So you sell a consumer a Credit Card via an awesome 0%, no payments, incentives, cash back, BS sales pitch, then mail about thirty offers, junk mail, to the consumers house over the next year but one of those envelopes contains addendums to the original contract, like if you miss one payment not only will you be assessed a late fee (Double Jeopardy Punished twice for the same offense), but your interest rate doubles. How about a late fee or double someones interest, rate, or how about

hey I made my payment, for whatever reason it was a little late, people have logical reasons for being late in life, and so all is forgiven you still get your money and you are still getting 10-13 percent interest on your money, BUT thats not good enough for the fine people at Discover Card, NO, how about my money and 13 percent interest, and a late fee, nope thats not good enough either. Double the interest rate too.

No consumer in their right mind would or for that matter, it turns out, ever did agree to this clause. That clause isnt how Discover Card gets customers. You get em with a beautiful offer. Then send out an addendum to their contract. I would be willing to fight this in court on the grounds that, YES, FOR A CONTRACT TO BE VALID BOTH PARTIES HAVE TO READ, AGREE TO AND SIGN IT. For that matter I might just say that I am not sure I ever signed an agreement with Discover Card, and maybe many consumers didnt. I dont know if I signed my initial contract, it would be easy to find out, but I know I never signed any addendums, concerning raising my interest rate for late payments.

The question is, do I take legal action action against Discover or do I encourage thousands, no millions of consumers to take action, involving many lawyers, in a class action lawsuit against Discover on the validity of contracts, this is just one point among many that could dissolve your and other credit institutions in an instant if this goes to court.

Problem # 4 - And in Closing

I will not pay my Discover Card bill, not now, not ever. Like so many other hard working Americans. Discover card HAS constructed a system to keep consumers in debt. You and other credit lending institutions are unscrupulous. The time for change is NOW. You crossed the wrong guy in this consumer. I will negotiate with you now (Maybe) or within 7 days of you receipt of this letter, but then I pull no punches, and settle for no less than the bankruptcy and collapse of your company, via consumer education, spun into individuals fighting Discover card, turning into class action lawsuits all over the country concerning the validity of contracts and other unfair practices, and turning over accounts and bills concerning overcharges, re-adjustment of interest paid, refunds, refunds, refunds, collapse.

I hope to hear from Discover Card representative soon concerning this issue�if not.

One more thing...recently I made a payment on my card at Sears...Discover card called me a month latter and said I owed them a 2 payments, and a late fee, and they are going to raise (Double) my interest rate, because that's what they do if you miss one payment...well, this is because they didn't get the payment I made...computer error...people error, don't know yet, it's under investigation, just telling consumers this because all Discover Card holders who have ever been assesed a late fee, or had their interest rates increased, should immediately, don't delay, call or email Discover and demand an audit/investigation of your account, it could be they made a mistake, and didn't get your payment, have them turn over the books on your account, before you ever let them charge you a latge fee or raise your interest rate.

Thank You for reading...

If we all stand up to this BS we can beat it...Democracy?

I just thought I would let you know about a public interest issue that you might want to pursue. Long story short and I can provide more details if needed

I applied from a mailer for a card got approved got the card sent to me and I activated it with a $6000 credit limit...

I procrastinated in doing the balance transfers (apparently there was a time limit) So I called they would not work with me so I suggested I canceled the unused card reapply for a new one (as you cannot have 2) and then not procrastinate I was warned that I might not get the same deal.

I did this and was declined !

The reason was my mortgage had not gone down!?!?!? I like many many others I am on an interest only but unlike many others am paying on time with no missed payments or even any payments late. If I was renting an apartment the payments to them would not effect my credit. So why within one month I have gone from $6000 to Nothing.

I signed up for a Zero Percent card with Discover. Recieved my Cards in the mail and activated the cards. 2-3 months later I recieved a paper stating that my account cards had not been activated. When calling the number on the paper it asked for my Social Security Number. I promptly ended the call. I called Discover directly to inquire as to whether my cards had been activated and they stated that they were. However, since I recieved this paper, someone was trying to access my account information and I should sign up for fraud protection. I have seen other complaints about Discover Card signing users up for Fraud Protection that they feel they did not authorize. Could this be a method they are using to do this? The number I was given to call to "activate" my card was [protected]. Anyone reciving something with this number should be cautious.

I paid for a service called the Account Protection. The terms was if I became unemployed or disabled they couldn't add interest or late fees or any fees to the account for two years. I would be charged monthly on my card to pay for the account protection. Now I did come unemployed and I informed Discover that I was unemployed and at that time they should of activated the protection. I'm now being taking to court and sued by Discover. I feel as though they're unfair jerks. They took the money and didn't provide the service at all. I'm very upset and feel like I was screwed over by this company. I think everyone should be aware of this.

Discover card fraudulently added a protection plan to my account with out my authorization. When I contacted them in regards to this they said I approved them over the telephone. I have never spoken to them over the telephone and by all means avoid answering their phone calls to avoid rude representatives trying to force feed you products or services. I was appalled by how sneaky this company could be. I do not make purchases on my card and haven’t for years. I send them automatic payments each month to pay off my balance and neglected to review my statements for which I thought had no activity. To my dismay, they had been charging me for this protection plan. I think it is wrong for a company to be able to do this to a consumer. The red flag was raised when they lied to me and said I spoke to them over the phone when I am the only one who has access to that telephone number and ignored answering every one of their calls. I believe this company should be looked into and recommend all consumers to review all statements with them to make sure they are accurate.

I have had a DiscoverCard for almost 10 years with the same due date for that entire time, always due on the 21st of each month.

I received my June 2009 statement and didn’t bother opening it until June 18 to pay my bill online. Imagine my surprise when I opened the envelope and I found they had changed my due date to June 12, so it was already past due!

I immediately called DiscoverCard to let them know I had not been informed of this and was told the notice was sent out 6 months ago regarding due date changes. She agreed to waive the late fee and she changed my due date back to the 21st. I paid my June payment at that time.

My July 2009 statement just arrived yesterday. Yes, the due date is now back at the 21st, but the late charge was not waived like I was promised last month when I called, PLUS my 14% APR has now changed to 26.99%. That is highway robbery! They tacked on a whopping $374.00 finance charge at the new 26.99% APR – which was way more than my payment I made in the previous month. They also raised my minimum payment due to $360.00 - an amount I certainly cannot afford.

I called DiscoverCard again, and she again promised to remove my $39 late fee, but she said she would have to send the part about reducing my APR to another department.

What do you want to bet they don’t reverse the $374.00 finance charge?

A year ago when I checked my credit score it was a little over 800. I hate to see what it is now. I would love to file bankruptcy to screw DiscoverCard over, but I’d only be hurting myself.

If I had another credit card to fall back on for emergencies, I’d tell DiscoverCard to stick my credit card up their you-know-what.

My fantasy is to see DiscoverCard go the way of AIG and the others.

I ordered flowers for Mother's Day from FTD and paid for them on my Discovery Card. A month later I noticed a $12.00 monthly charge on my Discovery Account from an unknown company. When I called the Discovery people they were quick to explain that when I bought the flowers I either checked a box or failed to check a box that lead to the purchase of some type of service. I asked them to reverse the charge but they refused suggesting I call the people who had scammed me. The Discovery Card rep then pointed out their phone number was listed on my Discovery card statement.

In forty years of credit card statements I have never seen a company phone number listed in the statement. Obviously Discovery Card is aware of the scams perpetrated on their customers and have found a way to pass complaints back to their customers who spot the scams. They abandon those too weak or too trusting to find the rip offs and seem satisfied to collect interest on phony services that have never been requested or delivered.

And the flowers were never delivered on time, FTD send me an email and offer a discount for late delivery which I accepted, but the flowers were never did arrive and I did get a credit for the purchase but the $12.00 charge would have gone on forever if I hadn't caught it.

On March 13, I responded to a mailed offer from Discover to open a card by requesting a balance transfer. As of May 22, that request has still not happened – despite numerous calls to the customer service center and e-mails.

At each instance that I have spoken with a Discover representative, I have been told that the issue is “in process” and to give it another 4-5 days. Finally on, May 6 I was sent an e-mail from Discover saying that the matter had been resolved and that Capital One had received the balance transfer. Capital One shows no such record, and is of course still billing me. Given that this matter has been going on for over two months (rather than the “up to two weeks” time period advertised on your website), I have to assume that I am being lied to.

I had no idea that Discover had such a terrible track record. I guess it pays to do a little research before accepting a credit card offer!

I am requesting a release from my balance transfer request - both with customer service and by writing to the corporate headquarters:

Carlos Minetti
Executive Vice President, Cardmember Services and Consumer Banking
2500 Lake Cook Road
Riverwoods, IL 60015

Harit Talwar
Executive Vice President, Card Programs and Chief Marketing Officer
2500 Lake Cook Road
Riverwoods, IL 60015

The lesson learned here is to NEVER do business with Discover Card. They flat out lie to you.

Around 2005 I switched to online payments for most bills, including Discover. I didn't realize at that time somehow they decided to start charging me for protection insurance. I was looking for a receipt so I pulled the entire years worth of billing of the website and found I was paying for some sort of Discover Protection.

I called Discover and Discover Enterprise. It took 5 transfers, 2 disconnects and a about an hour to find I supposedly signed up for an insurance plan that I never agreed to. I asked who my agent was or when I signed up only to find it appeared about the same time I started the online payments. The charge never shows up when you pay your bills that way. It was small enough I missed it.

Well, knowing how fast Discover is when you miss a payment or goe over your limit. Fee, fee, fee. I thought they would be able to deal with this either on the phone or on line. Turns out I have to submit a letter to some PO box and was given two different boxes in 2 different states that might eventually read my letter. I called Discover back and made sure she actually stopped the insurance. Turns out the first woman didn't. Since this seems to be normal business practice of Discover and their insurance program, I filed a full complaint to the Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner's office and requested they place an immediate cease and desist order with them today. I don't know if it will ever be followed up on or not but I'm tired of being ripped off by big companies. How many others have been screwed like this? If you got hit with this scam, file your claims with your Insurance Commissioners too. If we can't get our money back we're going to make them pay with forfeitures to our states.