Halloween brings lots of scary stories – including these three testimonials from personal finance bloggers. These are TRUE credit card horror stories from real people!

Crystal at Budgeting and the Fun Stuff – I had just received my first ever credit card at 18 before my family left for a summer vacation to the Grand Canyon. I logged into my account just to see my first charges and to pay them off. To my surprise there were charges that I had nothing to do with! I panicked and called the 800 number on the back of my card right then. It only took 15 minutes on the phone and one written letter to cancel my card, have all the fake charges removed, and I received my new card less than a week later!

Glenn at Free From Broke – I was trying to get my credit card debt in order and I kept hearing how you should just call up the credit card company and simply ask them to lower the APR. I told them how I was making my payments on time and how other cards were offering me better rates. I wanted, needed, a lower yearly percentage rate. The credit card company agreed. They lowered my rate a good number of points. But, back then a lowered rate meant only lower for new purchases. My old balance was still accumulating interest at the old rate!

David at Money Crashers – Several years ago, during the days leading up to my wedding I did a bunch of last minute spending. Unfortunately, several of the purchases I made on the day of the rehearsal dinner and tripped a security warning on my credit card and unbeknownst to me a hold was placed on the account. After a successful rehearsal dinner the bill came to roughly $700. Thank god the waiter was kind enough to get my attention and call my attention without anyone in my wedding party noticing. When he told me my credit card was denied I began to panic. I told them that my account must have been frozen by my provider. As the attendees were saying goodbye I slipped outside for a moment. Thankfully, I was able to get my credit card company on the phone and explain what had happened. They released the hold on my card and I stepped back inside, paid the bill, and thanked the waiter for being so patient. In the end, I was appreciative of the fact that my issuer was diligent in monitoring my account.

What’s the scariest experience you’ve had with credit cards?