Chase: The NICE Credit Card Company?

Well, being a moron, I accidentally ran my credit card over the limit. I was trying to "overlook" sharing this tidbit with S, when I got a surprising letter in the mail from Chase. The letter so surprised me, though, that I ended up sharing it with him--and, thus, revealing my faux pas with the credit limit. Here's what it said, though:

"We understand that no one likes to pay additional feed as risk losing charge privileges, so we would like to offer you a help in bringing your account balance under its credit limit. Over the next three billing cycles, we will not assess over limit fees on your account. We hope this fee waiver period will provide you with sufficient time and greater ability to return your balance below your credit limit, and bring your account back to good standing.

No over limit fees will be charged during the next three billing cycles. At the end of the three cycles, if your account balance remains over limit and you use your card to make a purchase, the over limit fee will be reinstated..."

So, given the evilness of credit card companies, I am wondering what the catch is. Granted, I did just open a checking account with them. Perhaps this is a nicety for giving them some more business? Yet, they cut my home equity line of credit long ago when the value of my home disappeared. I can't help but be suspicious... yet, it seems like this is just a human thing for the company to do.

Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that they keep raising interest rates and making people who pay their bill on time pay them even more. Credit card companies are evil. If a normal person tried to charge 28% on borrowed money, he or she would be charged with loan sharking. If it's a credit card company, though, it's a-okay. Nevertheless, I still think this is a nice gesture... because they could be taking even more advantage of people when they are having tough times than they are.

Way to go, Chase.