The Latest Credit Card Scam

Never use and online “convenience” system to pay your credit card – there is nothing convenient about it.
My wife and I have a credit card that we use for random things just like anyone else on this planet. This card has been carrying a balance since our wedding in 04 – and we decided to just go ahead and pay off all of our debt over the next six months. Phase 1, pay off this credit card. So I issue a payment online using the company’s payment system. Today my wife goes to use the card and it returns declined – confused I call the credit card company and ask what is going on…
Well it turns out that in our cardmember agreement there is some fine print that if I pay over $1,000 dollars they will put the account on hold for two weeks to protect against terrorists money laundering. WTF kind of bull is this – I hate it when I am being screwed and people make up some stupid excuse instead of just saying – yes we are screwing you. Here’s the kicker – not only is the amount that we just paid on hold, but the remaining balance available has been placed on hold as well. What do they get out of it? They get to hold my money for two weeks and make interest, and they get to charge me two full billing cycles of finance charges.
So what evil company is this you ask? None other than Chase. Not exactly a small player in the credit card world.
Note to self – enjoy canceling this card when they “release” my payment.