Credit card scam question. Why are they doing this?

[Ratty]

I have been harassed by phone calls for the past year by my new credit card company. First they offered $25 of free gas, all I had to do was pay $1. Now they're offering $25 of free gas and a Walmart discount card. All I have to pay is $2. I keep telling them no. I keep getting into fights on the phone, trying to tell them not to call me at work anymore. They keep expressing disbelief that I'm so cheap I won't even pay $2 for FREE GAS and a WALMART DISCOUNT CARD. I don't own a car and I never shop at Walmart. But even if I did, I'd stay away from this like the plague. It just doesn't sound right. I KNOW there's a nasty string attached someplace.

So I'm ALREADY a customer of theirs, they needn't try and lure me to get their card. Why are they doing this? It's the desperation that creeps me out, why are they so hell bent on getting me to agree to their scam? I looked it up on the web but couldn't find any information. Anybody know what they hope to gain, where the hidden surprise is?

[MissB]

1. There is probably a small disclaimer somewhere in there

that you're signing up for some service that'll cost you a monthly or yearly fee.

Change to a credit union. You'll lose the hassle.

[Ratty]

3. That makes sense

One of the last few times the woman on the phone didn't seem to understand what I was saying. Apparently she thought I had agreed and then transferred me to somebody else. I told him I wasn't interested and he got irate. He wanted to know why I told the first woman I was interested. Hmmmm, now it's more interesting.

So this morning I get a call and I tell the woman I'm interested. She transfers me over to some man and I string him along for awhile, asking inane questions, and--the best part--saying "What was that?" to every single thing he says, making him repeat it. Asking about really stupid details like what the envelope will look like when it comes in the mail. Is it the same size as a regular envelope? Is it a vanilla envelope? Will it have a stamp or do you put one of those bland white strips of paper? It's a plain white envelope you say? But it doesn't have a real US Postage stamp on it? Sorry, not interested. Hang up

I'm usually not rude but I have asked them repeatedly not to call me. Apparently their managers are very busy and do not like to waste time on telephone calls.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. There is something about the "free" that isn't

They are calling you at work? Write the credit card company telling them explicitly that they, their agents, and partners are not to call you at your place of employment (allow an exception for fraudulent abuse notification if you'd like.) If you do not receive a reply, send it again registered mail. If they still don't reply, find a new credit card.

Why they are offering the "free" deals: my first guess is that would then make you a customer to Walmart and whatever partner organizations are involved in the offer, and they all get to send you credit card junk mail, make telemarketing calls, etc. These other companies will pay to add qualified customers to their marketing lists especially for telemarketing because so many of us signed up for Do-Not-Call list or have cell numbers only.

I'd also bet those gas and Walmart cards require you to jump through a number of hoops to use them. I could be totally wrong here.

[skygazer]

4. I would ask to talk to a supervisor

I would then tell the supervisor that you've repeatedly refused these offers, that you do not want to be called at work and that if this harrassment does not cease IMMEDIATELY you will cancel your card.

The threat to cancel usually works wonders.

However, I would cancel it anyway - this does not sound like a good company to do business with.