I opened a new CitiBank account about 1 month ago for the CustomCash card and have already activated the card and used it for several purchases so far. Out of nowhere I start getting all my transactions declined so I call up customer service and here's where it all goes downhill…
They asked to verify my account by asking for my cell number, so I give it to them and wait for a 5 minute hold. Lady comes back on and tells me they can't use my personal cellphone (which I originally used when opening the account). Can't even send even me a text message to verify like every other bank on this planet. Then she asks to verify my identify with my employer's name, business address, and phone number — weird to ask for this but I give it to her. Another 5 minutes of waiting on hold for her to come back on and tell me that she can't verify who I am. Then she asks for my debit card number for a different bank and my other bank's customer service phone. 5 minutes later, she's "unable to verify" my identity once again.
Finally, she says they have to send me a verification letter in the physical snail mail to unlock my account and it will take 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS. CitiBank won't verify me through my email address, phone number, SSN, DOB, or any other piece of security info linked to my account and has to resort to a piece of mail… ridiculous way to run a bank let alone any business. Do not make the mistake I did and stay away from CitiBank.
Rant over…
Do not open a new account with CitiBank
byu/Lionabp1 inCreditCards
Posted by Lionabp1
10 Comments
I didn’t have those issues, but I would certainly feel as you do if it happened to me.
We have a conversation about this here like every week.
That’s just their security practices. Waiting a week isn’t the end of the world.
I wanted to get a Custom Cash for that sweet 5% category but hearing all these horror stories from you and the Strata Elite people makes me never want to touch Citibank even with a 10ft pole.
I go through this crap every time I add one of my Citi cards to Apple Pay too. I stopped doing it. It’s always a half hour or more on the phone. I’ve fortunately never had to have them send me a letter because they end up verifying with one of my other Citi cards (after they’ve wasted my time trying all these other routes that *never* work) but yeah, Citi is a pain. I’ve got 26 cards right now and the only ones that give me issues with mobile wallet verification are from Citi.
Never had these issues. Love my Costco Card 👌🏻
Lesson learned, never ever touch Shittybank again,
I swear I’ve seen this posted before.
But it’s not. Because it’s so damn common with Citibank my brain is just melding it all together.
Happened to me still waiting on snail mail a week later but just read doctor of credit’s tip to look in your notice and letters section on the app. Just checked and I see the document and directions on how to mail it back.
I have to ask…. Are you 100% sure you called Citibank? I know they are horrible, especially when it comes to locking accounts, but them asking you for a debit card number for another bank sounds very suspicious to me.
Welcome to Shitti bank shenanigans. This bank is the D-List celebrity of financial institutions. What boggles my mind is why American Airlines AA went with this bank as its sole partner.