CitiBank Nightmare

bobsonthegreat

Hi people,

Need a little advice if you please...

I applied for a credit card with CitiBank around January (one of the 5.8% life-of-balance cards). I waited about a month before they asked me for some additional ID - which I sent to them. I then waited yet another month before I decided to phone them and ask them what was going on. They said that they received my information but had decided not to issue me with a card.

Never mind hey, life goes on. And so it did, until a month later when I received a card through the post with a £500 limit and around a 28% APR. Thanks. I duly ignored this card, left it in a draw and never got round to calling them to cancel.

After I had originally found out that CitiBank weren't going to give me a card I applied for - and received - a Barclaycard 6.3% life-of-balance with a good limit and so I used that to pay off my Egg card. Horay! And then I saw that my Egg card was in credit. I figured I must've just overpaid so I got them to transfer the money to my current account and closed the Egg account.

Now... 7 months on from when I applied for a CitiBank card... A woman has just phoned me up asking for a payment because my account is in arrears. I have never defaulted in my life before so this annoyed me immediately. I explained the situation to her and she said "so is this fraudulent then?" I said "yeah I guess it must be because I haven't even activated the card". She spent a little while looking at transactions and then said "Ahh, have you made a balance transfer?"
"Not to my knowledge"
"Ok well I'll get a manager to give you a call and figure out what's happened."
"Ok, thanks"

So I got off the phone and immediately realised what had happened. Obviously I have to pay the money back... But the interest?? Yes I applied for a balance transfer when I applied for the card, but...
1. That was for a different card and
2. They told me I wasn't going to get one

Yes, I should have cancelled the card straight away, but how was I to know they'd transfer a load of money? How do you think I should work this? Do I have any grounds to refuse to pay the interest? Any thoughts?

jonesMUFCforever

Did you actually look at your Egg statement?
That would have shown where the money came from and why would you have deliberately overpaid Egg?

Sorry IMO they have a strong case for pursuing you for the money and interest.

oxmatt

Did you not receive any statements from citicard?

NickX

I'm afraid I agree with the other posters that you really should have noticed the Balance Transfer on your statements.

The best advice that I can give is that you speak to them very nicely, explain how this came about and ask them to take pity on you by either removing the interest and charges or coming to some other agreement with you.

Good Luck and let us know how you get on.

johnllew

bobsonthegreat wrote: »

And then I saw that my Egg card was in credit. I figured I must've just overpaid

Oh yes? And just how did you think that happened? Or did you not care? I think you've been caught out and hope you can squirm your way out of it!

NickX

johnllew wrote: »

Oh yes? And just how did you think that happened? Or did you not care? I think you've been caught out and hope you can squirm your way out of it!

I don't think that is very fair, the OP is new and we should help if we can.

They have admitted a mistake and yes they have been rather lapse in not looking at the statements, but you are suggesting some sort of fraud for which I cannot see any evidence.

Moggles_2

IMO, it's always best to keep your options open and leave the balance transfer section of a credit card application blank or, if asked, state you may be interested.

An horrendous story involving LTSB and Capital One was posted to this forum last year. Incompetence on this scale is fortunately rare but, for peace of mind and to avoid unwanted and costly transactions, it's safer to wait until receipt of your new card & credit limit. Then request your BT(s) by phone when you call to activate your card. There's usually a Freefone number for this. That way you retain a measure of control over the process

What's become of Citi's monthly statements?

AceCobra1

johnllew wrote: »

Oh yes? And just how did you think that happened? Or did you not care? I think you've been caught out and hope you can squirm your way out of it!

I'm normally a harsh but fair person - but even I think your statement might be a bit too harsh - true as it is.

I suppose the best way around is really to phone them and maybe try to work something out? Just don't expect anything and if they do accomodate you, take it as a bonus and you won't be gutted :rotfl::rotfl:

bobsonthegreat

I'm not trying to pass this off as fraud at all... I simply had no idea they would do a balance transfer six months after I applied and it didn't occur to me until I'd got off the phone. I'm guessing Citi's statements are going to my old address.

What a mess. I guess I'll just have to phone them tomorrow and try to straighten things out. Thanks for the loving replies :P