Citibank credit card - sneaky, sneaky

**madhen** · 11-11-2008, 07:22 PM

I cancelled this account probably two years ago, but there was a balance due, which I have been paying off every month. Last month, I called them to ask that they send me a paper statement, instead of an electronic one. I told them the account was closed, and I just wanted the paper statement because I was always forgetting my password to view the electronic one, and I wanted to be able to check monthly to see how much was left to pay off. They asked me to give them the three-digit security code on the card, and I told them I no longer had the card, because the account has been closed for some time. Then I went through a whole long security check of several questions before they agreed to send me a paper statement.

Well, last week, I just happened to check the electronic statement, and there was a note in there that a new card has been issued to me and should be arriving within a week!! So without my consent, it appears that they re-opened the account!!

I am waiting for the card to arrive, so I can cut it up and see if they have indeed reopened the account, and then I am going to call them and engage in some verbal castration. I had intended to pay off and cancel another card this month, and now I'm not sure if it will appear that I cancelled two cards in one month, which is not something I am all that concerned about, as I have no short-term plans to apply for any loans, but I was at least TRYING to space them out!

**tmffv** · 11-11-2008, 11:53 PM

Gagh - don't you just love CC companies? Have fun with the "verbal castration!!!"

**nikinicole** · 11-12-2008, 12:52 AM

Sneaky Credit Card Companies. Don't even get me started with Chase.

Just so you know, depending on your credit situation, it may be beneficial to your credit card not to cancel your account. Especially if it can help with a) your debt to credit ratio or b) the average length of time you have had credit.

**madhen** · 11-12-2008, 08:40 AM

I've had cc's for over 25 years, and I've always carried four or five at a time, so cancelling this one shouldn't have much of an impact. I don't trust myself enough to have multiple cc's out there anymore, so my goal is to reduce and destroy them all, until I get to the point where I have just my HELOC available to me. It is significant enough to cover any major problems that I might have to confront.