Complain about a product or service

Citibank

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garin of austin, TX October 20, 2009

I am in perfect standing with my credit card with Citibank and they have aggresively proposed I deal with a 29.99%interest. I currently have a 13% interest. I am just taking the hit on my great credit and paying this cc off and when my card is cancelled on the experation date on the card. I just got this letter and I will spread the word to everyone I know and post to every website I can. What else can we do?...dump the big banks and go with your local credit unions I suppose.

James of Northfield, IL October 20, 2009

Today, when I went to fill my tank, I was surprised that my Citi Shell card was declined at the pump. I showed the card to the attendant, who submitted it again, and again it was declined. I used another (Citi) card to pay for the gas. I was surprised because I have always paid the balance in full, on time. Because of the Shell card rebate program, I have bought Shell gas 90%+ of the time for several years. Furthermore, because I use this card exclusively for Shell gasoline, the balances are not large – rarely over 200. I thought it was an administrative mistake.

When I went to the Citi web site, I could not log in. Finally, I called Customer Service. The CSR informed me that, "My card no longer met their credit quality standards," and that they had closed the account. This, despite the fact that I have always paid Citi in full, and on time. Citi apparently has received information from Equifax, and I don't know what it could be. (I do have an out-of-state speeding ticket that I have yet to settle, but all my financial relationships are in good shape.)

So I'm out. A perfect (if small) customer – at least on this account. I am a small businessman. I use credit cards for cash management and operating cash flow. I am very concerned about the impact of Citi's action on the rest of my credit history, and how it can hurt my business. I have large corporate clients, and I would not be shocked if they "pulled bureaus" as part of their procurement process. (Insurance companies do it when they review policies.)

Moreover, this action lessens my overall credit availability, and therefore lowers my FICO score. With the same dollar amount of credit usage, I now have a higher "balance to credit limit ratio", an important FICO driver. So my credit score will go down. I do all my business with Citibank, including other accounts with much larger balances. In the past 5 years, I have paid Citi 271,000. I am very concerned that I will wake up one morning, and Citi will have closed my other accounts.

Sylvia of Honolulu, HI October 19, 2009

I am also a credit card customer of Citibank. I received the 29.99% letter, let's just say it like it is "30%" interest rate. This letter is from Ken Stork, CItibank, South Dakota. I decided to call the number on the letter, number one the calls are routed out of the country to India or another country. I was told that because of non-payment I was given this letter, a default rate.

I called again and was told that Citibank has had to borrow money at a very high interest rate in order to support credit card customers, so they are asking for our help in complying to this rate. I asked him to check my account and he said I had made all payments. I will be receiving a courtesy 10% cashback if I comply with the rate to help Citibank, UGH. Here's the best part, I have the choice of opting out of this, BUT hare's the doozy, if I opt out I can continue to pay off my balance at current rate until my expiration date, once the expiration date comes around Citibank will close the account, AND this affects your credit score. To others out there, is there a way to cancel a credit card without being penalized?

richard of dayton, OH October 19, 2009

I just recieved a letter from CitiBank stating that my interest rate is going up by 10% (from an already ridiculous 19.99% to 29.99%, natching their default rate). But, they say, it will be partially offset by a 10% rebate of the finance charges. At first glance, that may seem like there is no change, and I'm sure the misguided management of CitiBank is counting on consumers thinking that. But a 10% rebate on a 29.99% rate amounts to a 3% rebate on principal. So, there is a 7% interest rate hike (even more of a percentage icrease if you started at a more reasonable rate) hidden within this 'good news' info about rebates. Education in America may not be what it once was, but I am hoping consumers can see the real increase here.

I for one am tired of financial services (credit cards in particular) deceiving and abusing consumers and trying to insult my intelligence. So, I am sacrificing my credit rating and defaulting on my 23,000 balance after 25 years of on-time payments. And encouraging everyone I know to do the same. After all, what good is credit if the lender keeps pulling the rug out from under us. I will continue to pay any fair and honest bill. We need to take a stand and reward the few decent companies left out there, and drive these abusive ones out of business.

I hope that between a grss-roots campaign started by the millions of consumers they have angered, and heightened congressional monitoring and tightened regulations, that there will be no CitiBank in a year. And not one person willing to bail them out this time or shed a tear over their demise. Goodbye CitiBank.

Jim of Humble, TX October 19, 2009

I also have/had a citibank mastercard, I also was never late with a payment and I understood when they increased my APR up to 18.99% because of the economy...but today I received a letter stating that as of Nov 30th 2009 my APR was going to increase to 29.99% now that is ridiculous...I called Citibank and talked with a customer service rep asking WHY? The woman told me that in time all Citibank credit card holders APR will be raised to 29.99% and that they will not negotiate APR. Why is the government allowing this? I read above that Citibank took bailout money and I guess the people that do pay on time have to pay for their mistakes.

I was told that if I opted out of this agreement I would have to close my account and the APR will remain at the 18.99% APR for the length of time it takes to pay off the balance, needless to say Citibank has one less cardholder AND when the economy bounces back and Citibank starts sending me the pre-approved credit cards I will send them back with a nice note telling them to kiss my A** because you tried to legally rob me when times were tough and your company doesn't deserve my money now. I am hoping that all Citibank credit card holders close their accounts and Citibank has to layoff/fire numerous employees (sorry citibank employees but your company got greedy). This 29.99% applies to the existing balance on my card NOT NEW purchases made after Nov 30th 2009.

Myra of Hillsboro, OR October 19, 2009

Yesterday, I received a notice in the mail, like many others, that my interest is going from 9.24% to 29.99%. I too, have never missed a payment, paid late and always paid more than the minimum amount. Interested in what was going on, I called the customer service rep for CITI. On the other end of the phone, was obviously someone young. She was also very snooty. At the end of our conversation, it was apparant she did not give a rip about my concern or what could happen to anyone else.

After reading complaints all over th internet, regarding all the large credit card companies, it pretty much comes down to one thing. With the exception of maybe credit unions, rates are being raised, all over. Why? Because they can do it. Do they care? No. Many suggestions are to opt out on the cards, to refuse the rate increase and lock in the current one. First of all, when you close an account, it lowers your FICO score. Secondly, they can still raise your interst rate, even if you close the account. There is no safety net.

There are also many suggestion of finding another card, with a lower rate, transferring and then closing the higher interest account. Again, close the account, lower the FICO score. Open a new one, to transfer and you've establised new credit and also lowered your FICO score. On top of that, if you're holding onto some higher credit balances, no on will open an account for you, with a lower APR. In their minds, the companies are securing more income and profit. In reality, it creates more stress on the average card holder and will end in many defaulting and filing bankruptcy. In the end, the credit card companies will realize what they've done, not only to themselves, but to the public. Unfortunately, by that time, it will be too late.

Dave of New York, NY October 18, 2009

I received a "Notice of account change" letter from Citibank. I never read this stuff but did so today and was shocked to see that CB was raising their APR to 29.99 APR! I am someone with VG credit, a rather large credit line and a long time customer. I called them and they said it has nothing to do with my account as I am always paying in full. The "reason" they say is their access to capital costs is raising and they must increase.

Brady of Blackstone, MA October 17, 2009

I took advantage of one of the balance transfer offers from Citi for 2.9% rate for 12 months. I requested 6500 to pay off some other bills. I was charge a one time 195.00 for the transfer. When I received my first statement I elected to do Autopay 3 weeks before the payment was due. Of course when I came back from a business trip and checked on 10/2 the autopay did not happen and I was charged a 39 late fee and the interest rate was jacked up to 19.99%!

After numerous attempts to call customer service, many of which I talked to operators overseas in India or somewhere I could not get an answer or deterimination to adjust the interest rate back to the special offer rate. I was told I would receive a letter from Citi with the determination after I called the third time, I did receive a letter that only had the basic terms showing late fees, regualr interest rates etc and nothing showing they declined to adjust the rate back or any type of notice. It was information I already knew.

I called for the fourth time and got an interest rate specialist and he told me he would enter a request to review and that I should check the account on the website in a couple days. I checked after 5 and still no change. I have to assume they just decline to change the rate back. If only they would tell me that.

Here is the kicker, after paying the balance of 6500.oo back to Citi, I went to the website to cancel the Autopay, after clicking the button to agree to cancel Autopay the next screen said Autopay was cancelled and they would no longer deduct payments from my checking account...immediately!

Why does it take them 4-6 weeks to start autopay, and immediately to stop it? Other than preying on those who forget to go back to check to see if it was set up or automatically paid?

Aziz of Murreita, CA October 17, 2009

I called in regards to a credit card acount with Citi Bank. I was expecting to hear a friendly voice on the phone as is usual with Citi Bank or any other Bank but Mr. J was anything but friendly. Right from the start he was very rude, irritated and inconsiderate. He even raised his voice and tried to yell. I stopped and asked "wait a minute, you are not going to yell." After this I asked his name and ID number and told him that I will be reporting him to the consumer affairs. This is very much unlike City Bank and I am seriously considering closing all my accounts with them. I hope they will take steps in ensuring that this will not happens again.

Nicole of Los Angeles, CA October 16, 2009

I opened a new account over the phone with Citibank, I just recently moved to Los Angeles from NYC and my original bank was with an institution based in New York, so I decided to close that account and re-open another account I made with Citibank. Everything went well, I received my debit card in the mail and decided to deposit my 1st paycheck in the ATM. Note that my employer has a business checking acct with B of A and are only able at the moment to fund my checks thru this account until they are able to establish a payroll system.

I went to withdraw the available balance which was 200 and the ATM says they were unable to perform that action. This was Monday. Tuesday I went into my local branch which was the Little Tokyo location on 1st street. I explained to them my situation and they told me there was nothing I can do I have to call the call center and finish the verification process thru the mail. I found that UN-ACCEPTABLE! I am standing here in person with a valid driver's license, a SS card, birth certificate, and mail FROM Citibank and you can not verify me?

I called the New Accounts Support call center and I was told that I should be able to withdraw from my account if I brought my SS card and debit card to the branch. The branch explains to me that it is up to a manager to perform that transaction and low and behold, they don't have a manager at the location. I will have to visit another branch. I called the Chinatown branch, and they explained to me that they ALSO WOULD NOT be able to perform that transaction because I need to verify myself through the main office.

So now my account is blocked. The call center tells me to close my account OVER THE PHONE and they will mail me a check for the amount in my account. What they are not understanding is I have absolutely NO FUNDS at all to survive. I told them I have no money to feed my family until I can withdraw from my account. I signed up for this account with NY ID and my Los Angeles Address. If this was going to be a problem they should have stated so over the phone when I first setup the account instead of holding my money hostage! If I was trying to commit Identity Fraud why am I crying the branch from the humiliation of explaining to the personal banker that I don't having any money to feed my family and I need to withdraw right now! I live 2 blocks from the branch in a well known luxury apartment complex. This is absolutely ridiculous that I have to fight over the phone and in person to withdraw 200! And to top it off one the call center reps hung up on me! I've tried to keep my composure in reference to this situation but it's hard to do that when you don't have food in your stomach!

I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT RECOMMEND CITIBANK TO ANYONE WHAT SO EVER! THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS ABYSMAL! YOU DO NOT TREAT PEOPLE THIS WAY!

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