Providian controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2002
Continuing scrutiny of Providian’s customer practices
Contemporary reporting continued to examine how Providian marketed and administered credit-card products, reflecting the lasting reputational effects of the company’s earlier regulatory and legal disputes.
2000
Government enforcement over customer charges and sales practices
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office pursued allegations that Providian National Bank and Providian Financial had deceived customers or imposed unfair charges involving protection plans, balance transfers, annual fees, and other services. The resulting customer reimbursement was reported at approximately $300 million for about three million people.
2000
Large credit-card class-action settlement
A San Francisco Superior Court-approved settlement required Providian to provide more than $100 million in cash, credits, and other benefits and to cease certain practices challenged in the litigation.
1999
Alleged aggressive sales of credit-protection products
Beginning in mid-1999, class-action plaintiffs alleged that Providian used aggressive or misleading sales tactics to market credit-protection services and other add-ons to cardholders.