This isn't the first time Citi has robbed me

[Cyrano]

I had a Citi credit card. One day last year, I got my monthly statement from them and the payment-due date was three days after the statement arrived.

I called customer service and told them that my payment would never arrive in time and I wanted to pay off the entire amount so as not to incur any interest payments. They asked why I hadn't paid it earlier. I told them that the bill hadn't arrived until that day. They said that wasn't possible.

After half an hour of conversations with various customer service drones and supervisors, I asked if I could pay by check over the phone by giving them my bank name and routing and account numbers. "No problem," I was told.

The following month, my Citi statement arrived and it contained a $25 fee for paying by check over the phone. Needless to say, I went totally ape shit, called them up, screamed, ranted, raved, threatened and explained to them that, in the old days, thieves used to use masks and guns. None of it mattered. They had the power and all I could do was gnaw my Citi card into tiny pieces.

Now, they are stealing perhaps as much as three hundred billion dollars of our tax dollars less than 60 days before the Bush Crime Family leaves office. Where do I/We go for a refund? Or at least some semblance of justice?

[zorahopkins]

1. To HELL With Citibank

Thank you for posting this.

Citibank is a predatory lender -- it preys on people -- gets them trapped in credit, and then does things like you describe.

Citibank is worse than the worst drug pusher.

It should not only fail, but it should be forced to make restitution to people like you!

NOT ONE CENT for Citibank!

[david_vincent]

2. One thing you could do

would be to get anything from them that has a pre-paid return envelope. Then, just pack up a box of old books, like an old encyclopedia or whatever, tape the envelope to the top, and away it goes. I've done this before, to an oil company.
You could always impose a property tax on them, too... their property, your tax...

[Cyrano]

3. That would cost them an insignificant amount of postage.

I'd really like to see their executives "frog-marched" away in orange jump suits.

This will never happen, but one can only dream.

Maybe, some day, if justice ever happens to come about on planet Earth, they'll get to share a maximum security prison with Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rove, et al.

[NorCalDem]

4. One time when dealing with Citicard folks...

I made a point of telling them I was sitting on the other end of the line with my card and a scissor. When the women on the phone said "i'm sorry sir, i cannot remove the fee" (or whatever it was...) I responded with "oh, okay, well then I guess i can cut my card up right now then..." (knowing that all the phone conversations are recorded).

Her: "Wait sir, i can make you an offer..."
Me: "No thanks, i'll just cut it up, it's obvious citicards no longer wishes to have my business."
Her: "Sir, i can offer you a low introductory APR rate...."
Me: "No thanks, how many pieces should one cut a credit card into for identity security by the way, if you don't mind me asking?"
Her: "Sir, please don't cut up your card I can..."
Me: "Uh oh, it's in half, too late now. Thanks but no thanks Citibanks. Oh, by the way, do you know Wells Fargo's phone number, I wanna call them up and get a new credit card."
Her: --stunned silence---

and then i hung up.

I never felt more satisfied in my life...

[MadrasT]

5. FUCK Citibank.

That is all.

[Silver Swan]

6. I hate to bring this up

But I always keep track of my Citicard on line. I pay the bill as soon as it is posted on line, which is a week or so before I get the paper bill in the mail. I do not pay any fee for online payment.

[Cyrano]

8. I will not bank online. I know that all of my personal information is

already online because banks, credit companies, HMOs, etc., put it there. But I will not be a party to adding anything more to online info about myself.

It won't be too long before we're all forced to put every single piece of information about ourselves online. But until that day comes, I'll do everything I possibly can to limit my exposure to identity thieves and/or everyone else.

And yes, I know that what I can do is limited and it's a losing battle. But I'm sure as hell not going to contribute one iota of information to help in my own lose of privacy? Privacy!!! The word has become a bad, sad joke relegated to a world that has ceased to exist.

[SOS]

10. Beware the online accounting...

A different issue from payment due dates, but a warning to my fellow DUers:

Recently Crapital One assessed me $245 in fees.
I had deposited $400 on a Wednesday and then used my debit card for seven purchases over the weekend.
My online statement had my balance at $400.
But the checks were "uncollected" although $300 of it was a state check.
The debit purchases went through, with a $35 "fee" on each purchase!

I went to the Crapital One branch and complained. They told me that the online statement was useless and innaccurate, that I should keep track on a scrap of paper.
The law was changed in 2005, allowing them to rob us with fees, rather than to decline the purchase (up to $500).
That way they can steal your next paycheck too.

I was so mad that I said I was leaving the bank and going straight to court to file a lawsuit. I then asked what their lawyers charged per hour.
They gave me my money back.
Lesson learned.

I hate these f#cking banks.

[Johonny]

7. Try to screw me too

Claimed I didn't pay a bill when I paid it already. Took them 2 months to "find" the money I already paid them and erase the late charges and interest. I require my credit card to do more than take my money but also credit my account after they do take it. Bastards.

[This One]

9. Despite financial problems, Citi is still spending $400M...

on the New York Mets new stadium, which will be named after Citibank. That must make the thousands of employees they've laid off feel pretty good.

[Cyrano]

11. Citi # &@*% Stadium. It's so clear that

the world is made up of fuckors and fuckees.

Perhaps, some day, we'll accept our status as fuckees.

Then again, maybe we'll have a second American Revolution.

Hopefully, with Obama coming into office, some of the injustices can be forever changed. But human nature being what it is, "forever" is a long time.