Capital One Rejects Hunting Photo for Image Card

“Express Yourself. Personalize your card with an image of your choice.”

That is the claim made by Capital One for anyone who wants to have a personal photo put on their credit card. You can even design it yourself online with a photo you upload.

But you can’t use a hunting photo. Capital One considers them unacceptable.

That’s what Lou Hinger of Hamburg, N.J., found out when she tried to design a credit card using a photo of her husband Frank, dressed in hunting gear, posing with a deer he had taken last hunting season.

Hinger received an e-mail from Capital One that said, in part:

“Sorry, we were unable to approve the image you submitted. We will not approve any images that contain the following: “Violence, hatred, or cruelty to humans or animals, profanity obscenities or any type of death imagery.”

“We are livid,” says Hinger, “as we are God-serving Americans who hunt to feed our family. In these economic times our family is fed by hunting, and it’s horrible to be associated with words like ‘hatred or violence.’

“I tried to call for an explanation twice; no one will get on the phone. Also, their terms are vague. However, someone took the time to specifically write that response pertaining to our image.

“Every American hunter should know about this,” Hinger continued. “Capital One says, ‘Express yourself’ in the image card. Hunting is the most important way my husband expresses himself.”

Hinger has asked NRA for an attorney referral so that she can determine her legal options. Whether Capital One has done anything illegal is questionable, but whether the company has just insulted 14.9 million law-abiding American hunters is not.

For those NRA members who are interested, Mike Marcellin, Managing Director in NRA’s Office of the Treasurer, said, “NRA credit cards also offer the feature of allowing cardholders to personalize their cards with pictures—including hunting trophies.” The card companies do ask that no blood be visible on the photo, however, so take a minute in any good photo editing program and clean it up first. With these cards, you also support the NRA with each purchase. To learn more, visit http://www.nraaccounts.com/nra/.

Comments

This is ridiculous. I am a hunter, have been for 26 years. I also don't care much for the NRA and some of their beliefs. What you people don't understand is when you place an image of your 'kill' on this card, you are then forcing some merchants to view a picture that may or may not have a major affect on their life. That would be no different than walking up to some stranger in Walmart and whipping out your trophy album and telling them they 'have' to look at your kills. They just don't want images of dead animals being forced upon people who don't believe in it. That alone could create lawsuits for the trauma it could cause to some old vegetarian woman. Grow up people. Use your head. From Al Johnson on Tuesday, March 06, 2012 12:00 PM You are crazy men From mike on Wednesday, February 08, 2012 10:49 AM You guys are freaking nuts. LEGAL OPTIONS? Why is it when something does not go your way, the automatic response is lawsuit. Capital One has every right to deny any image they deem to be inappropriate that would be printed on an advertisement. Yes, this card is a branding tool. Vague or not. So what if you cancel your account, do you think these banks care? This is DEATH IMAGERY by DEFINITION, it is in the terms you read and AGREED to when you submitted this photo. Like it or not, and any good attorney would scoff at even looking into this, it would be a waste of there time. People, god fearing - law abiding hunters and all make me sick nowadays. Supporting the enemy? Again, you guys think the world is against you, and your the ones with guns? What militia branch do you belong to. Just because you have some millions of members in the NRA,does not mean all of them agree with hunting etc... or even if they are hunters, it doesn't mean that they agree with your stance against Capital One denying your request. Good for you Capital One, I am sorry if you are accused of a Hate Crime now. From Ridiculous on Thursday, November 24, 2011 4:42 AM Boo hoo hoo. Who would have thought a picture of a carcass would be considered animal cruelty. From Charlse Grean on Thursday, September 22, 2011 4:39 PM I know, right? How is loding a bullet into the head of a deer violent? Maybe it's that as a major financial institution, they don't want others to associate their brand with killing every time you take out your card. They're a private business and have to defend their image, and their image currently doesn't involve shooting animals, which, right or wrong, is going to get other people upset and with which they want nothing to do. From sebs cartois on Monday, July 04, 2011 5:26 AM I have just written to Mr. Buettner and informed him that if this is indeed the position of the company, i.e. that hunting is considered cruelty to animals, I will be cancelling my account. From Paul Bisbee on Sunday, April 24, 2011 9:06 AM After reading this article and doing some research I sent Capital One an email with my disappointment. I followed that up with a call to their customer service department and closed my account. After listening to my reasons for closing the account, the customer service rep actually said he was from Texas and could respect my opinion. I can't support a company that disregards millions of Americans' hobby or lifestyle. From Adrian F on Saturday, April 23, 2011 5:36 PM Just more corporate ignorant fools. Next it will be banning of the family BBQ showing burgers and steaks. The Tree Hugger clan will want to ban anything with wood. How about a picture of my pet? Nope the nuts at PETA will come forth and spew their garbage. So let's just make our card solid White! Nope now your a racist. Makes you think about the word freedom and what does it really mean? From Bob on Saturday, April 23, 2011 12:28 PM Gene, which of the following in their terms is the violation? “Violence, hatred, or cruelty to humans or animals, profanity obscenities or any type of death imagery.” Not violent, No hatred, No cruelty to either himans or animals, death imagery? Really? I would bet that pertains to people. If they are anti hunting, then hunters should drop their cards period, otherwise you are supporting the enemy. From tomc on Thursday, April 21, 2011 9:14 AM It's time to get rid of the stupid credit cards and get out of debt anyhow. Why even bother messing with these idiots? From jinxy on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 4:16 PM Capital One's commercials which show violence should be pulled and the team who approved such violent commercials must be fired immediately. From Gene on Monday, April 18, 2011 7:25 AM Hmmm... Who do they think they are? Probley a Company called Capital One that YOU applied to. They are well within thier rights to say what they are willing to print or NOT print on a card and if you had read the policy statement, it is all laid out in B&W. I am a hunter also and wanted a throphy pic but knew it wouldn't be accepted after reading thier rules! Duh! It is the same as you allowing or NOT allowing someone to hunt your land; so stop trying to make this out to be some capital Murder offence. As for NRA cards VS Cap One cards, the NRA card charges you almost twice the interest rate so those idiots that carry a month to month balance are paying Extra Big time! Charlie Elk, the real insult is that you did not read thier policy before ou started whining. From Mike Dubya on Friday, April 15, 2011 4:43 PM Well every Capital One cardholder that is a hunter, fisherman and gun owner should transfer their accounts to another credit card and drop Capital One. I bet Capital One would rethink this if they started losing customers. If the photo is in good taste as mentioned with no blood or tongue hanging out I don't see the problem. Maybe because I am an avid hunter is the reason why. From WVHunter129 on Friday, April 15, 2011 10:39 AM Look at Capital One's TV ad...Vikings plundering and threatening death with sword or battle axe...what hypocrites. I would seek a different credit card company. Is a picture of dining on "steak" in a restaurant with your family & paying with Capital One OK?????? From Jinx on Friday, April 15, 2011 8:49 AM Here is Capital Ones final response! Date: April 12, 2011 01:43 PM Subject: Re: Account terms (fees, APR, etc.) Dear Mr. Hinger, Your email has been forwarded to my attention for response. You request the account be closed, stating you are not satisfied that the picture you submitted for our Image Card Program was not approved. Please allow me to address your concerns. Per your request, your account is now closed. All future transactions will be declined. Since there is still a balance owed, you must continue to make payments until the balance is $0. Our records show only one picture was submitted to us for review for Image Card. This picture was declined because it did not meet our guidelines. As a major credit card company, we have basic guidelines about what images we will allow on our card. Any image that can be viewed as being cruel or violent toward humans and/or animals will not be approved to be on our card. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns. If you have any additional questions, you may contact me at 800-955-1455. I can be reached Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm EST. Sincerely, Elliott Buettner Executive Response Committee Capital One From Lou H on Thursday, April 14, 2011 7:33 PM I agree. I further sent an e-mail to close my account also. I told them to ask their image department why. They responded with ANOTHER email specifically accusing us of animal cruelty! Unreal... From Lou H on Thursday, April 14, 2011 7:29 PM That's the end of capital one for me - who do they think they are? From jim snowdon on Thursday, April 14, 2011 5:49 PM My cap one cards are getting cancelled today. What an insult. From charlie elk on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 9:44 AM

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