Preview Review

Next Review

Citibank N A Consumer Reviews - Page 2

Most Popular | Newest | More Options >
More filter options:
The Most Absurd Thing You've Ever Heard
By -

DALLAS, TEXAS -- In August 2009 an internet scammer cheated me out of $650 and sent me a box of worthless junk postmarked from a bogus return address. The scammer did not respond to any of my messages; therefore I could not get a refund, return or exchange. In Oct 2009 I filed a case with Citibank's fraud protection division. They sent me a letter saying that a conditional refund of $650 would be credited to my account pending the investigation, stating that the investigation would take "NO LONGER THAN 90 DAYS."

I didn't hear from them for 4 months, so I assumed it was all over. Then suddenly, six months after I opened the case, my account was re-charged $650, and I got a letter from Citibank stating: "DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT HAS PASSED, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO INTERVENE ON YOUR BEHALF."

So basically Citibank delayed the investigation for six months, then told me it's too late to investigate, so I lose. I've called them a dozen times and been told each time that they'll look into it, only to get the same form letter response about it being too late. This is utterly sickening, and I shall never again use Citibank services. Complaints to the Better Business Bureau have been submitted. I suggest you save yourselves, or if you've already been cheated like me, report them to the BBB at once.

Replies
ThankYou Points a Rip-Off, and Ripped Off
StarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarBy -
Rating: 1/51

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- I am closing my Citigold relationship with Citi, having just learned Citi removed 56,401 Thank You points from my account without notifying or telling me. I check the site regularly. There is a notification of points "Expiring (within 90 days)." It has always been 0. Yet I am told by ** that, because I closed one (of my seven) credit card accounts with Citi (a Premier MasterCard, of which I already had one) and did not use the points within 30 days of closing, the points were confiscated and there is nothing I can do.

The Thank You points are more like ** you points. There are a depreciating currency (over time, the cash you can receive for them has declined... it's now down to 1/2 cent per point). There is apparently some very fine print about their expiration (WITHOUT notifying you online), so what Citi giveth, it taketh away.

With the exception of gift cards (restricted currency), rewards on the Thank You redemption site are very expensive. Even deposits to one's account (a simple electronic transfer) are valued at 1/2 cent per point. Chase points are worth one cent. Bank of America points are worth one cent. HSBC points are worth one cent. Capital One points are worth one cent. Discover points are worth one cent. Only Citibank is so niggardly.

Further, my six remaining Citibank credit cards have some of the chinciest point rewards of all (1.2% for gas -- woo hoo! -- whereas my various other credit cards give 2%, 3%, 3.3%, 5%, and 5.1%). And these other cards reward one with cash back, not 1/2-cent points. So for the 56,401 points they deducted, without notification, from my account, Citibank will be losing a long-time Gold customer, and gaining a noisy spokesperson against them. (I'm also a stockholder... don't even ask me about what I think of their management.)

Replies
Forced to Buy Insurance When Already Insured
By -

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO -- Every year since CitiMortgage bought our mortgage on a second home, we have problems with their insurance department when they request proof of hazard and flood insurance. Each year we have Certificates of Insurance mailed and faxed to them. They claim they never receive the information and always purchase a policy, usually flood, for us.

This year I personally mailed the Certificate to them and after checking with them they acknowledged receipt. Shortly afterward, we received a letter stating that they felt we were underinsured for flood, and suggested we contact the homeowners association and suggest we raise the amount of flood insurance carried on the building in which our condominium is located. We received this notification in previous years, and each year was advised by the agent who handles the policy that we carry the maximum allowed by the federal plan.

This year, without prior warning, CitiMortgage purchased a supplemental flood policy covering our unit for $11,350, with a premium of $341.00. Trying to reason with them and get information was impossible as all they could do was read from a prepared script telling me they were sorry I was inconvenienced and upset. I was transferred from the insurance department to customer service and back. At that point I requested assistance from the insurance agent who informed me this was a common practice with CitiMortgage to force insurance and it was not legal or necessary.

He did get them to cancel the policy, but now they are requesting a premium for the one month they feel we were underinsured even though no changes were made to the master policy. Watch out for them. This is common practice with them. They do make a commission on the sale as per our insurance agent. Check your escrow accounts for unauthorized purchases like this. We need a class action suit against them to stop this practice.

Replies
Citibank Shell Mastercard Closed Without Warning
By -

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 website, 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.

What do I learn? Do not do all your business with just one bank. With one bank, you are completely at their mercy. And you cannot trust them. They can make decisions that can cripple your business without even telling you. Ironically, the loyalty incentives banks give you make you more vulnerable to their policy changes. It costs more and it's more hassles to diversify, but you have to protect yourself. Being a perfect customer is not enough. So tomorrow, I'll go shopping for other sources of credit. Going forward, no bank will get more than 40% of my business.

Replies
Advertisement
Account Closed Suddenly Without Notice
By -

SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA -- I have a Shell MasterCard from Citi. Yesterday I attempted to use it at a Big Boy restaurant to pay for my meal, and the card was declined. I was puzzled, since I still had over $1100 left on that card's credit limit, and that I was never late with a payment, never went over my limit, and often paid more than the minimum payment on that card. I first assumed it was a computer problem with the restaurant's cash register, so I attempted to use the card again today, this time at a Big Lots. Again the card was declined.

I then called Shell MasterCard, and was told that my account was closed due to something that was on my Equifax credit report. I then pulled up all 3 of my credit reports (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union), and found nothing negative on any of my credit reports. Ironically, Equifax was the only one of the three that still listed the Citi Shell account as open. Experian and Trans Union listed the Shell account as "closed at card issuer's request."

Because I have always been good at managing my credit card and other accounts on time, I took this account closure as a shock. My other concerns are that Citi will charge overlimit fees and/or ask me to pay the $6000+ I owe in one lump sum. I do have a Visa with another bank that I can transfer the balance to if need be, but I would prefer to work something out with Citi Cards, possibly by paying a fixed amount per month until the balance is paid in full.

Apparently I'm not the only one in this predicament. I went to the FatWallet.com forum and noticed that several other Citi Shell MasterCard customers had their cards declined and accounts closed as well. I also wonder if Citibank NA and Shell Oil are discontinuing the Shell MasterCard program, considering the sheer number of closed accounts, which I heard were in the thousands. Most of the other Fat Wallet posters mentioned the reason for their accounts being closed is due to something from their Equifax reports as well.

Citi Cards is giving their Shell MasterCard customers a lame excuse for closing thousands of credit card accounts, the majority of them in good standing. If a class action lawsuit is being considered over Citibank NA's actions over their Shell MasterCard customers, I would definitely be one of the plaintiffs.

Replies
Heartache and Heartbreak
StarStarEmpty StarEmpty StarEmpty StarBy -
Rating: 2/51

This open letter is in response to a letter received on September 8, 2012 but dated August 29,2012 from a Citibank VP. This is in regards to 2 accounts; Holds have been placed on the two accounts. I am a pensioner with social security - these are guaranteed EFTs. Last month I had surprise expenses and was receiving a wire transfer from an associate. Somehow on August 24, 2012 the wire transfer was blocked by the local branch.

As well my September 1st pension deposit which goes in every month on the first. My cosigner who currently is on medical bed rest called the bank and the other two parties to get to the bottom of the situation. The Branch representative stated that EFTs aren't guaranteed funds and but they would take a cash deposit from anybody who was acting as our agent since my cosigner could not leave her bed. So another person went to another branch (Relative lives out of state). Her attempt to make deposit was not allowed and it was cash. Cosigner and I then called Citibank (3 way call) and were told no deposit could be made on the account until it was brought up to date.

That was an interesting phrase. I then called my place of my former employment which I had retired from which send me my monthly pension via EFT. After 3 days of investigation the money wired to my Citibank accounts which has been placed on hold is in limbo somehow. Monthly I get wired closed to 2000 dollars from my pension, as well as my associate who resides in Canada whose wire transfer was blocked which would more than cover the accidentally overdrawn funds.

I am now stuck in a country which no longer has a Citibank branch and have been trying to return home since September 2 since my cosigner has fallen ill. This situation goes beyond hardship. I am trying to make good with Citibank in regards to this oversight; but where are my funds since the parties that handle my pension and my associate's bank accounts who sent EFTs show a paper and electronic trails that stop at your bank branch? I am holding on to all correspondence in anticipation of the resolution of this misunderstanding.

Replies
Take Your $$ Out of Citibank - It's NOT Safe There
By -

NEW YORK -- Have had my Citibank account with NO PROBLEM until 8/3/2010. The last time I used my ATM card was on 8/1/2010 and had a balance of $140. My card was stolen sometime between 8/1 and 8/2, but I didn't notice my card was gone until I attempted to use it on 8/4 which was the same day Citibank Fraud Department left a message for me.

A check, for just under $10k, was deposited in my account on 8/3. The signature didn't match mine and it was done at a branch that I have never even been to... miles from home and job. The kicker is that Citibank credited the entire amount of the check. It was another Citibank check made out to me and had all my information on it. How do you walk into a bank like Citibank with a phony Citibank check and have it honored by Citibank?

Somehow the criminals were able to make 3 PIN transactions and purchase $3,000 worth of jewelry, spending a total just under $9k in an hour. Citibank never called to verify this unusual activity. I called the jewelry store with Citibank's Fraud Department on the line and was told that along with my ATM card, the criminal also showed state ID (yet I have my driver's license). I have now a -$6k balance. They are still investigating.

On one of many calls (others were cordial but nothing was being done), I had to call and get loud yesterday while the customer service representative laughed and hung up after having me on hold for 10 minutes while she "checked" my account. Yes, I said laughed. You read correctly. I told her that they could continue their investigation but I needed them to release my paycheck (direct deposit).

They are absolutely no help and talk to you like you are the criminal. You would think they would improve security. In my internet search for "Citibank fraud," my situation is not unusual. Still waiting for my money, but I have contacted the NYPD (go to a branch and fill out an Affidavit of Fraud or you won't be able to file a police report - Citi doesn't tell you this), FBI, FTC and the Postmaster (criminal purchased money orders). Will be contacting others as soon as I find out who can help.

Replies
CITIBANK SUCKS!!!
By -

They are the backers of SEARS, I have done business with Sears for over 20 years, but now Citibank decides who is a good customer. I have signed up for paperless statements, and they have advised my account is noted as such, yet they repeatedly send me paper statements?? I also had a situation where I did not receive notice of a payment was due.

I have never been late with my payments and usually don't carry a balance but when I realized I immediately paid well more than the minimum via online, but it was 2 days past due, Citibank customer service representative stated they could not locate this payment, and advise me to make a phone payment, and they would reverse the late charge. I did so and found that my checking account was double debited the same funds. When I called them back and requested a refund they told me nothing they could do?? I explained I wish to have extra payment refunded, but they said they don't refund additional payments even though they recognize the error?? Have you ever!!!

After numerous requests to speak with someone of authority they refused and told me nothing more could be done, I explained to my bank and they reversed the payment with no charge and could not believe I was treated this way. My next bill came due for payment and I have now found they locked my account which will not allow me to pay online?? WHAT?! Was this payback for getting my overpayment back, they apologized for error and promised they would fix this!

Well 2 more phone calls and this is yet to be resolved, they now tell me I have to wait 30 days to unlock the account?? WHAT?! They made the error and I am being penalized for their incompetence! I am filing a complaint with Sears directly regarding this, and if they do not respond appropriately or timely, I will pay and close my account, ending a good long payment history with a credit worthy customer!!!

Replies
Advertisement
Dissatisfied Citibank Customer
By -

I hope this message gets escalated to the highest level of Citibank management possible. You can verify my accounts with Citibank by checking my phone number **. Currently, I have over 10 different types of services/accounts with Citibank (list below) and I've earned over 300,000 points with Thank You network. However, I will not be a loyal customer of Citibank anymore since Citibank has not been treating me right. For the past year, there have been a number of incidents that makes me believe that Citibank does not care about their customers anymore. They are listed below.

I will start migrating all my banking services to other banks. I'll also make sure to post this message everywhere so other will be aware of how horribly Citibank treat their loyal customers. BTW, I used to believe in Citi… I currently own more than 20,000 shares of Citi stocks. I will be changing this position going forward.

This is the tipping point of my dissatisfaction with Citibank. Today, 2010.05.17, Citi Premier Pass card decided not to honor the credit limit overage usage that is build into my account. The reasons, one, I haven't been utilizing my credit line nearing my credit limit. Also, I'm not allowed to transfer my credit from one card to another.

Citibank has been cutting my credit to the minimal - the reason being that I have high revolving debt. However, I've never been late with any payments. The high revolving debt is actually used for business investment purposes. Citibank decided to close out my Business Checking Line of Credit without any prior notification. This caused me quite a bit of headache since a number of transactions were rejected due to the line of credit not being available.

Citibank started to charge $10 for automated draft from overdraft protection line of credit. The overdraft protection line of credit is designed to protecting overdraft. Citibank started penalize the automated draft. I have to manually transfer money out of overdraft protection line of credit to checking. What's the point for having automated overdraft protection line of credit? Citibank raised my credit card rates to a whopping 30 percent. Thank god I pay off my complete balance every month. 30 percent is ridiculously high. It's highway robbery.

Below are my accounts with Citibank: Business Checking, Business Checking Line of Credit, Business Brokerage Account, Business Platinum Select Credit Card, Personal Checking, Personal Savings, Personal Checking Line of Credit, Personal Brokerage Account, Three Personal Credit Cards. (Used to be a loyal customer of Citi.)

Replies
Top of Page | Next Page >

Citibank N A Rating:
Star Empty star Empty star Empty star Empty star
1.2 out of 5, based on 4 ratings and
63 reviews & complaints.
Contact Information:
Citibank N A
399 Park Ave FL Lc
New York, NY 10022-4614
212-559-1000 (ph)
860-746-7700 (fax)
www.citifi.com
Product/Services
Compare Banks