Consumer complaint received 2024-08-24 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — Store credit card
Issue: Fees or interest — Charged too much interest
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
To whom it may concern : I am filing a formal complaint against complaint Synchrony Bank/Lowes due to their deceptive credit card practices that I believe violate both federal and California state consumer protection laws. This complaint concerns their " deferred interest/no interest if paid in full '' promotion that was not only misleading but executed in such a manner that it inflicted significant and undue financial hardship on me as a consumer.

Account Details : Synchrony Bank/ Lowes Advantage Card Account Number : Ending in XXXX Detailed Account of the Incident : On XX/XX/XXXX, I made a significant purchase amounting to {$1900.00}, under the impression, as explicitly told by Lowes representatives, that the purchase was subjected to a 0 % interest rate for two years. It was not disclosed to me at any point that if the total amount was not fully paid by the end of the promotional period, all accumulated deferred interest would be charged retroactively. This lack of disclosure is a gross violation of the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), which mandates clear communication of credit terms to consumers.

I contacted Synchrony Bank/Lowe 's regarding this issue first, and in response to my inquiry, on XX/XX/XXXX, Synchrony Bank/Lowes sent a letter from XXXX XXXX, Florida , informing me of an impending due date of XX/XX/XXXX, to settle the remaining balance of {$1400.00} to avoid retroactive interest charges totaling {$1500.00}. This letter, crucial to my financial management and rights, was only received by me on XX/XX/XXXX. It is unreasonable to expect that regular mail from Florida to my address could realistically arrive in XXXX days, and this timing did not provide any feasible opportunity to act upon the information provided. Synchrony Bank/Lowes subsequent handling of the situation further underscores their disregard for ethical business practices and consumer rights. I was given a shockingly unreasonable deadline to pay the remaining balance by XX/XX/XXXX. This action, I assert, constitutes a deceptive practice under Section XXXX of the Federal Trade Commission XXXXt ( FTC Act ), which prohibits " unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce. '' Legal and Ethical Concerns : 1. Misleading Communication : By setting an impossible deadline known to be unachievable due to normal mailing durations, Synchrony Bank/Lowes has engaged in deceptive practices that seem designed to ensure the imposition of undue charges. 
XXXX. Violation of the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) : The act requires clear disclosure of credit terms, and by not providing timely information, Synchrony Bank/Lowe 's violated TILA stipulations.

3. Breach of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) : This act protects consumers from unfair debt collection practices, and the timing of Synchrony Bank/Lowes communication could be considered a violation of fair and transparent collection practices.

4. Violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( FTC Act ) : This section prohibits unfair or deceptive acts affecting commerce, with Synchrony Bank/ Lowe 's actions falling squarely within the realm of deceptive practices by setting unrealistic payment expectations and deadlines.

Requested Actions : Immediate Investigation : A thorough investigation into Synchrony Bank/Lowes practices and timelines to determine the prevalence of such deceptive strategies and to impose necessary sanctions.

Reversal of Interest Charges : Immediate removal of the {$1500.00} interest charge and any other penalties incurred due to their failure to provide a reasonable opportunity to respond.

Regulatory Oversight : I urge the CFPB to scrutinize Lowes future communications to ensure compliance with all relevant consumer protection laws.

Attached are copies of the correspondence received from Lowes and other relevant documents substantiating the timing and nature of this issue. 
I trust that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will address this egregious behavior promptly and decisively to prevent further exploitation of consumers. 
Thank you for your attention to this grave matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation