State sues credit card companies State sues credit card companies ADVERTISING HONOLULU — The state has filed seven lawsuits against banks and credit card companies that allegedly charge Hawaii customers for payment protection programs they don’t want or can’t qualify
State sues credit card companies
HONOLULU — The state has filed seven lawsuits against banks and credit card companies that allegedly charge Hawaii customers for payment protection programs they don’t want or can’t qualify for.
The products are marketed as a way to protect cardholders against unauthorized charges, stolen or lost cards and identity theft, and might offer benefits in the event of unemployment or disability.
However, attorneys for the state say many of those enrolled in the payment protection programs aren’t qualified to receive benefits. Those who might be ineligible include retirees on fixed incomes, part-time or seasonal workers and self-employed individuals.
Others aren’t aware they have payment protection on their cards in the first place. A practice called “slamming,” for example, enrolls cardholders in protection plans when they might think they’re just agreeing to receive more information, explained state Attorney General David Louie.
The monthly fee might be small enough to go unnoticed on credit card bills, he added.
“Be careful, be aware and go scrutinize your credit card bills. You may not notice there’s these little charges, but those little charges can add up,” Louie said.
The state will be represented by Honolulu attorney Rick Fried, in association with firms Golomb & Honik of Philadelphia and Baron & Budd of Dallas.
