An Open Letter To Loretta Ford: Or Why I’m Not Paying My Credit Card Bill

I listened to a voicemail from Loretta Ford the other day. Her voice was low, her words were mumbled and at a certain point they were even unintelligible. It literally sounded like she had fallen asleep half way through the message. It was like she had lost the will to live. When I heard it, I felt sick inside.

Loretta has been calling me a few times a week for a couple months now. She has always left me the same message, a very professional one void of emotion – “Hi, this message is for Leigh Marino, this is Loretta Ford. Please call me back…” Generally, not very noteworthy. She’s never even gotten mad that I don’t call her back. Ever. She even calls my Dad’s house to talk about me. This really bothers him, because you see, Loretta Ford is a creditor.

I often wonder, what goes through her head when she’s leaving me a message – does she recognize my name or am I just another number to her? Is she pissed that I don’t call her back? Does she think I will? Does she really care?

Sometimes I fantasize about calling her back. When she answers, I imagine myself saying, “Hi, Loretta Ford, this is Leigh Marino. I understand that you’ve been trying to reach me. I’d like you to know that our conversation may be recorded for training purposes.”

And then I’d proceed to tell her how, from my perspective, she should approach me if she truly expects a phone call back. How she should approach me if she truly wants “her money back.” Which leads me to a story.

But they look so fun!

I have a Visa credit card. I’ve had this credit card since I was 18 years old. I got it because my father wanted to teach me about the value of money – how to build credit, how to be responsible, and also so I would have something in an emergency. I am now 34 years old. I have used this card on many occasions for many different reasons over the years. And I have always paid it back.

For 16  years I have paid my credit card bill and never once been late.

Until this year. My husband and I have been struggling financially. So much so, that we have sold our condominium in Los Angeles in a short sale and have moved back home to be near my parents. We are currently living in someone else’s house. My husband is on unemployment. I have a small income. We are taking matters into our own hands and building a business from the ground up. We do not sit at home, vegging on the couch every day. We are honest, hard working, ethical people who take our responsibilities seriously. Up until this last year, our credit scores were in the 800′s.

This is why, when I approached my credit card company, I approached them with integrity. I said hey, I’ve been loyal to you for 16 years. Because of something that is occurring worldwide, I am experiencing a difficult time and can’t afford to pay you right now. What can we do about it? Let’s work something out that is mutually beneficial. They said “I’m sorry, there’s nothing we can do for you. Pay your bill or you will go into collections, end of story.” And this is when Loretta Ford entered the picture.

Her phone calls bothered me for quite a while. I got angry, I got defensive. I got upset. I felt powerless. All the while, I watched video after video, read article after article telling me about how the banks had gambled just like me. They had gambled with people’s mortgages, I had gambled with creating debt. When I charged something to my Visa, I thought for sure I’d be able to pay it back. I never once charged something with the intent of not paying for it. But life happens. And when the banks gambled with our mortgages and suddenly couldn’t pay their bills, they got bailed out. By me and you and everyone we know.

So where’s my bailout?

I understand that it seems quite unlikely that I’ll get one, which leads me to understand that by participating in our current debt based economy, I’m feeding into a system that doesn’t have my best interests at heart. And why would I invest a penny of my money into something like that?

 I’m reminded of this iconic commercial from the 80′s, where a father confronts his young son about drugs his mother found in his closet. He asks him “Who taught you how to do this stuff?” and the boy replies, “You, alright! I learned it by watching you!” Then the narrator states, authoritatively, “Parents who use drugs have children who use drugs.”

If that’s really the case, then I’m only learning from the bankers and financial experts who set the example for me. I mean, these people go to school to learn about business. Mastering money is their JOB. Most of us are lucky if we can balance our check books every month (if we even still use them.) So when the banks fuck up and then get bailed out so they can continue to play the game, I can only assume they are leading by example. But the banks say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”

Well, I’m here to say that that’s bullshit. Enough is enough. It’s time to take a stand.

Debt based economy is a sinking ship.

The economy is crashing. Our country — our world is in a financial meltdown. The big guys might not want us to know it, but we do. This system is an unsustainable one which means, you guessed it, it cannot sustain. It is dying. And it is taking everyone with it.

This is not to say that individuals cannot attain financial success at this time. I do not mean that in any way. What I mean is that financial institutions that are based on and rely upon the old financial system, mainly a debt based one, are going away.

I was planning on paying my credit card bill as soon as humanly possible. Because I have integrity. But now, I’m not so sure.

And that’s also because I have integrity.

Treat me like a human being and I’ll respond in kind. But treat me like a statistic, like a criminal, and you’ll get what you ask for.

Dear Visa,

After 16 years of devoted loyalty, I think it’s time we call it quits. I don’t like getting raped, so I’m not going to pay you to do that to me anymore.

Love,

Leigh

P.S. Loretta Ford, please don’t take it personally when I don’t call you back. Come on over here and join me, because from the sound of your last message, I don’t think you like getting raped either.