Consumer complaint received 2015-10-08
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: NY
Product: Bank account or service
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Account opening, closing, or management

Complaint:
On XXXX XXXX 2015 I applied for a checking account with Citibank online. Not sure if I did it right so I applied again on the phone and again on the XXXX online. On XXXX XXXX 2015 I received several letters from Citibank. XXXX of which contained a bank card in each. Great I had the account. I went to a Citibank Atm and deposited {$20.00} which is still in the account at the time this complaint is being filed. I tried to use my bank card and it was declined twice. Once I got home I called customer service who told me there was a restriction on the account and I needed to call new account services. I was also informed that I had XXXX accounts. I told them I only wanted XXXX and gave them the account number of the one in which to keep, the one with the {$20.00}. So just to be exact I am writing this complaint pertaining to the account ending in XXXX. On Monday, XXXX XXXX 2015, I called new account services where I was informed that I needed to send in proof of address. I was told that a cell phone bill would do and I promptly sent a copy of my phone bill to them. I faxed it to the number ( XXXX ) I received from the agent. I called the next day which was XXXX XXXX 2015 to verify that new account services received my fax, they did. Later that day I received a call from a number I did not recognize, XXXX. The gentleman on the line explained that he was calling on behalf of Citibank and he was the XXXX reviewing my proof of address I sent in and he thought to check with me because my XXXX bill had an apartment number and I did not put one on my bank application. I explained to him that it did not matter because I stayed in a hotel and all mail came through the front desk, so I would get it as long as it came to this address, the same one that I gave them on my XXXX bill as my proof of address. He asked if this address is permanent, I assured him it was. He then explained to me that he would have to talk to his supervisor as they usually do n't give accounts to people in hotels. He said he would call me back after he spoke with his supervisor, either later that day or the next. The next day I waited, I did not receive a call so I called new account services. They explained to me that the account was denied by XXXX and I will be receiving a letter soon. I feel as though I have been a victim of discrimination again. Where I live should not play a part in whether I get an account. I gave all my documents as asked of me. I already had the account, they sent me a card, so the only reason for them declining or closing my newly opened account has to do with the address where I live. I am not sure of the reason they put in the letter or the reason they will give your organization but I feel that it should be known that I have the card and even placed money in the account. The reason for them closing the account has to do with the fact that my address where I am a permanent resident is a hotel. I do n't think that people who live in hotels, or shelters, or any residence that Citibank does not agree with should be a reason that a person is denied an account.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation