XX/XX/XXXX To Whom It May Concern : XX/XX/XXXX I went on a cruise to XXXX XXXX, went into a jewelry store, looked at and liked a very expensive ring and well over my budget. The store owner after a long conversation tried to convince me I could have it ad he could make it happen. I was with my daughter so long in the store, the ship was blowing the horn to leave, and she works for the cruise line and was getting upset with the situation. I told him my only credit card XXXX XXXX XXXX only had a {$4800.00} limit, the charge he wanted to put on my card was {$13000.00}. He asked if he could try my card for {$5000.00}, I agreed, it came back denied. Again was going to leave, but he said when could I pay for it? I told him a year XX/XX/XXXX, and I would be paying cash at that time because of a CD maturity, because my income would not allow a credit and/or payment for a charge at that amount. He also said he had a lot of money in New York at XXXX XXXX and he could " make it happen '' if I wanted it to. I said no, I ca n't afford the payment. I would pay cash in one year or leave without the ring. He said he would hold the credit slips exactly one year, and I could leave with the ring. I left the store and hurried to the ship, with practically no paperwork just the store receipt and appraisal. When arriving on land in XXXX, I tried to use my card for a simple {$20.00} purchase, was told my card was over limit and could n't use it. I reported fraud that day and said I would call again the next day and the next day as soon as I returned home to XXXX, I reported it as fraud. After 6 months of back and forth communication with the merchant and XXXX XXXX, I was denied because of the credit slips I signed. I argued the fact I did n't approve it nor was even informed of these charges on XX/XX/XXXX, and left the store confident that I would not have a huge charge on my account with unaffordable monthly payments. But lost the argument, as I had nothing in writing regarding the terms and I signed the slips. After several months of correspondence with XXXX the only resolution I had was a " hardship payment plan '' of $ XXXX/month and no interest. With interest accruing with a payment I could not afford, this account would go on for over 20 years. I agreed to payment plan I was offered no other resolution. I have been paying on time $ XXXX/mo ever since XX/XX/XXXX. I noticed my credit score went from XXXX to under XXXX, and was very upset, never had such a low score, especially looking into trying to buy a home and trying to figure out why because I pay everything on time. Two weeks ago, I applied for a XXXX XXXX credit card for {$1000.00} and was denied. I have NEVER been denied credit card, because I do n't abuse my credit. My entire credit report shows every entry for over 15 years paid on time, and my credit balances on my other cards are 0-38 %. I called the credit bureau to be sure what the problem was. They informed my I have perfect credit payments, excellent long time usage, but the only negative issue is this XXXX account showing 176 % of my credit ratio. I t is bringing my fico down to under XXXX and will until I get that 176 % ratio changed. They informed me I could pursue this incident, which I was unaware of since I have never had any problems before and felt XXXX XXXX had the final decision and I had to accept it. I could not understand how this could even happen as if I never wanted an increase on my card. In the past if I wanted any increase on a credit card, I could request it, and be approved. I do n't understand why I was not even contacted about this transaction, and I had no knowledge of it until I reached XXXX and could not use my card. I feel that this was unfair and abusive practice to a senior over XXXX years old as myself. Especially without my request or approval or even knowledge. I now feel that the merchant was n't kidding about having someone in New York XXXX where he has a lot of money, and he actually DID MAKE IT HAPPEN without my knowledge. Please note attached the page from my credit report today showing the XXXX XXXX reporting. The rest of my credit report is available to substantiate my information reported herein this report. Respectfully submitted, XXXX XXXX