- Report: #1029019
Complaint Review: Citi Credit Card - Citibank Credit Card - San Antonio Texas
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Citi Credit Card - Citibank Credit Card
100 Citibank Dr, PO Box 769004 San Antonio, 78245 Texas, U.S.A.
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800-950-5114
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Citi Card - Citibank Credit Card Citi tricky turn down dispute I call weekly check on dispute status they said everything fine no documnet needed After two months they sent out letter that customer didn't response within timeline and unauthorize charge can't be disputed Sioux Falls, San Antonio Texas
I have 2 website online hosting service with "Ochosting.com", but the service getting worse and worse, so I cancel both. The new website is cancel within 5 days, the one year serive have to fully refund according to contract; the second website haven't due yet, so it should be fine without refund. Unfortunately, ochosting refuse to refund, so I call to file dispute with Citi Card.
After week, Citi mail me that they need dispute form, and my contract document. I faxed over. Since then, I call them weekly to see how is the status, do they receive the fax ok and what else document they need. Every week, they said everything is fine, no more needed.
Then I out of town vacation. But still call weekly to see how is the status, did they need anything. I get the same answer from operation and dispute department, everything is fine, nothing is needed.
Suddenly, I check online statement found Citi re-charge me the unauthorize charge. I called ask why. They said they need some information from me, but I didn't reply within time frame.
I said I call every week ask if there any document need, but Citi keep tell me nothing they need from me. Their answer is customer service are different from dispute department, so they don't know what the status, when and what info dispute department need. And dispute department don't know either, they only read from the computer screen. I said, if they don't know they can simple say don't know, instead telling customer everything is fine, nothing is need. It is a lie, the main purpose of that seems like wait for the dispute time frame due, so they don't need to do anything. I told them I can fax over any document they need now, but then hey said they can't re-open the case once it closed.
As a customer, I call back weekly check for status, but never been told the true status. Only found it out after the time frame expire. They apologize for their customer operator give fault info, but didn't do anything to correct. I even talk to the supervisor, he insist they can't do anything because time frame is expire.
I said "Citi know that is unauthorize charge, it should protect its customer from unauthorize charge." The supervisor said "We can't, we only try to help dispute unauthorize charge, but if the company refuse to refund, there are nothing we can do."
What can I do now? Help. I have all the document indicate the new web site is submit and cancelled within 5 days. They have the copy too. But Ochosting.com refuse to refund. What can I do.
Thanks in adanve.
Wing
Germantown, Maryland
U.S.A.
After week, Citi mail me that they need dispute form, and my contract document. I faxed over. Since then, I call them weekly to see how is the status, do they receive the fax ok and what else document they need. Every week, they said everything is fine, no more needed.
Then I out of town vacation. But still call weekly to see how is the status, did they need anything. I get the same answer from operation and dispute department, everything is fine, nothing is needed.
Suddenly, I check online statement found Citi re-charge me the unauthorize charge. I called ask why. They said they need some information from me, but I didn't reply within time frame.
I said I call every week ask if there any document need, but Citi keep tell me nothing they need from me. Their answer is customer service are different from dispute department, so they don't know what the status, when and what info dispute department need. And dispute department don't know either, they only read from the computer screen. I said, if they don't know they can simple say don't know, instead telling customer everything is fine, nothing is need. It is a lie, the main purpose of that seems like wait for the dispute time frame due, so they don't need to do anything. I told them I can fax over any document they need now, but then hey said they can't re-open the case once it closed.
As a customer, I call back weekly check for status, but never been told the true status. Only found it out after the time frame expire. They apologize for their customer operator give fault info, but didn't do anything to correct. I even talk to the supervisor, he insist they can't do anything because time frame is expire.
I said "Citi know that is unauthorize charge, it should protect its customer from unauthorize charge." The supervisor said "We can't, we only try to help dispute unauthorize charge, but if the company refuse to refund, there are nothing we can do."
What can I do now? Help. I have all the document indicate the new web site is submit and cancelled within 5 days. They have the copy too. But Ochosting.com refuse to refund. What can I do.
Thanks in adanve.
Wing
Germantown, Maryland
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Jim
Mission Viejo,California,
U.S.A.
Correction
#2Consumer Comment
Sat, December 11, 2004
I apologize. I referenced frontline.com when I meant frontline.org. Frontline is a PBS news magazine with very high quality reporting. Their report on the "Secret History of the Credit Card" is very enlightening.
S.n.
Bucyrus,Kansas,
U.S.A.
Citibank The Worst of the Worst.
#3Consumer Suggestion
Sat, December 11, 2004
Citibank is the worst credit card company when it comes to actually assisting it's cardholders. I have gone through the same garbage as the original poster and Citibank not only told me they would "put a hold on the account", they did NOT tell me to send in any dispute in writing. When they attempted to keep billing me, I called again and the customer rep was not only rude, he as much as said that it was my fault that I had been charged. I faxed the information directly to him for a dispute and they not only refused to dispute the charge, they refused to put it in writing. I only had a Citibank card because the previous company had sold out to them. I'll never have a Citibank card in my wallet again.
Jim
Mission Viejo,California,
U.S.A.
Don't pay disputed charge, follow dispute procedure
#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, December 10, 2004
I can sympathize with you because I have gone through the same thing with Citibank. We ended up in court. I don't think you will, since it isn't for a large amount. Mine was the entire balance. My suggestion is to first close your account, to stop any new activity. Pay off the legitimate charges and leave the balance of the disputed charge. This will isolate the problem, and keep the issue clear. Start a file with your dispute letter, and keep all documentation in that file. Citibank will violate federal laws in several ways - they will charge you interest, they will continue to bill you, they will make collection calls, report to the credit bureaus, and they will deny your dispute without good reason. If you are fortunate, this won't happen. If you send them a letter by certified mail that is strong and indicates that you know the law, it may help. Here is a good letter template. Please look up the legal references on findlaw.com and make sure you understand it, in case you must follow through. I am providing this only for your edification. I am not an attorney, nor do I practice law. (Citibank dispute address) (date) RE: Account #(your account number) Amount of Dispute: (the dollar amount) Certified Mail: (certified mail tracking #) Dear Citibank, I am writing in reference to the above account. (explain the reason you believe this charge should be removed from your account. Clearly identify the charge by reference numbers from the statements, and any other identifying information. In your case, make sure you identify the original charge and the second charge in question.) You are required under USC 15 Sec. 1666(a)(3)(A) to provide me with a written report following a reasonable investigation, pursuant to USC 15 Sec. 1666(a)(3)(B)(ii), and so far your response has been insufficient. As a result of your handling of this matter, I request that my account be closed immediately. You have 30 days to remove this charge from my account, or I may file a complaint with my District Attorney, and with the Federal Trade Commission for statutory violations. Sincerely, (your name) If they do anything besides remove the charge from your account, file a complaint as you stated. Ask your district attorney if they can sue Citibank for violations of business practices in your state. I encourage you to stop using credit cards completely because they are emerging as predatory lenders. Citibank targets customers who maintain revolving balances, and pounces on them with their "universal default" clause in their agreement if your FICO score goes up for any reason, even if you have never been late on a single payment. They raise their interest rates as high as 35% (though there is no limit), and raise the minimum payments. If you are unable to make the payments, they will charge you late fees, and be unmerciful in their collection efforts. I have been studying this issue for a couple of years now, and have found that these companies have little regard for the law, and have corrupted our courts, and legislators. The only defense we have is to stop using them. Go to frontline.com and look for the report on "The Secret History of the Credit Card" and you'll find a good report that will introduce you to this problem. I also recommend getting a copy of the book "The Two-Income Trap" by Elizabeth Warren. I also encourage you and anyone else who reads this to write your congressman and oppose the current bankruptcy bill that is being pushed through by Citibank and the banking industry. This bill is terrible for families, especially children in broken families, by making credit card balances non-dischargable in bankruptcy, and even prioritized with child support payments. This would increase child support payment defaults by fathers. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Please write your congressman, about this bill and any others introduced by the banking industry. I hope this helps.
Mike
Radford,Virginia,
U.S.A.
Dispute the new charge -- and refuse to pay.
#5Consumer Suggestion
Thu, December 09, 2004
At this point you should write a letter disputing the new charge and *mail* it to the dispute department using certified mail with return receipt. Follow the instructions on the back of your statement exactly. You can phone and fax all you want but that does not assert your legal rights like mailing a letter does. I think the only time limit in the law is the time allowed to make the dispute after the charge appears on your statement. The time allowed to investigate and resolve the dispute is open-ended. So they are bluffing and trying to rip you off if they say that the dispute cannot be further investigated because you didn't respond in time. You have leverage because the law allows you to refuse to pay disputed amounts. Be sure not to pay your balance down below the disputed amount. But do make all minimum payments on time. Citi is going to make sure they don't lose money, so they can and will grab it back from the hosting company.
