Consumer complaint received 2022-04-23
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CA
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
In XX/XX/2019, victim went to the Bloomingdale 's store in XXXX XXXX, CA, to check on her account because she had not received a statement. She made a payment of {$100.00} and was informed that her balance was for almost {$2000.00}. She disputed the amount and was told that the account would be closed and a new credit card issued. Further inquiries revealed that the charges were for a pair of shoes valued at {$900.00} and for sunglasses valued at {$300.00}. None of these charged were authorized by the victim. 
A new cad was received, a special password for purchases was created, and all credit reporting bureaus were notified. Bloomingdale 's was also asked for copies of the purchases. No reply was ever received. 
In the same month, victim received notification from XXXX XXXX that someone using her name and SSN had submitted a credit card application. Victim reported this was not her application. In the same month, victim received notification from XXXX XXXX  in XXXX, FL, of another credit application, which had been denied because of unverifiable information. Same month, another notification was received, this time from XXXX XXXX in XXXX, KY, reporting the opening of an account in her name. Victim informed XXXX of her stolen ID. In XX/XX/2019, XXXX Bank informed victim that someone using her name and information had submitted a credit application for an XXXX XXXX card. This was again reported as fraud. In same month, victim received a letter from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX, SD, reporting a credit application under her name. Again, this was reported as stolen ID. Same month, victim received information that a new account had been opened under her name with XXXX XXXX in XXXX, UT, in the amount of {$1800.00}. This was immediately disputed, and a request was made for a copy of the credit application. 
In XX/XX/2019, a person identified as XXXX XXXX deposited {$1100.00} to the victim 's XXXX Bank account, allegedly as " rent payment ''. Victim owns no rental property. A few days later, an unidentified person withdrew {$200.00} from her bank account, listing a phony account number. There were further attempts to impact the victim 's bank account, so victim closed her account. All these events were reported to the nearest XXXX XXXX Police Department station, where she was given report number XXXX. Notwithstanding all these events, which were reported to the Bloomingdale 's " Fraud Investigation Department '', the said department replied with a form letter, informing victim that " their investigation '' had failed to clear her of the unauthorized charges, and demanded payments, which they have continued to do so through various collection agencies. Documentation regarding the above-listed cases of identity theft were provided to the so-called " Fraud Investigation Department, '' to no avail. Her credit was damaged, reported as out for collection, and repeated requests for PROOF of her making these unauthorized purchases have met with intransigent denial and refusal, always responding with form letters insisting that she is responsible for the unauthorized charges. The collection agencies have been repeatedly asked for proof and asked to cease and desist from further communications, again, to no avail. If there is fault to be assigned, the Bloomingdale 's " Fraud Investigation '' incompetents are to blame, as they have not performed their duties appropriately and have failed to provide proof of the victim 's culpability. I would like to have this matter resolved before I need to contact an attorney, at my expense, to resolve the matter, and to assign compensatory damages to Bloomingdale 's. Thank you for your assistance with this vexing matter. Just noticed a request to submit attachments. The files I have are too many to upload, but can submit them via mail.

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief