Woman Sues Over Credit Card Offer

Sat., Sept. 20, 1997

Associated Press

An Oregon woman has filed a class-action lawsuit against First USA Inc., accusing the Dallas-based credit card company of luring consumers with low interest rates, then charging much higher rates.

Maria Navarro-Rice of Portland said she received an offer by mail from First USA to transfer balances from other credit cards to a First USA card and pay zero to 6 percent interest for six months before locking in at 12.99 percent. After six months, her rate increased to 12.99 percent. But a few months later, Navarro-Rice was being charged 21.99 percent, said her attorney, John Stone.

“They sent out waves of these things,” Stone said. “I’m sure there are thousands of people out there who bit on this.”

The lawsuit filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court requests that First USA halt the practice. If not, Navarro-Rice will ask for damages and seek class-action certification, Stone said.

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Woman Sues Over Credit Card Offer

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