Consumer complaint received 2016-01-26
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: SC
Product: Credit card
Issue: Billing disputes

Complaint:
My complaint is regarding a charge I am disputing that was made on my Best Buy/Citigroup credit card, by Best Buy, on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX in the amount of {$100.00}. This charge has accrued late fees and interest, now resulting in the current total balance of {$280.00}. 

The history of this charge is as follows : On XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, I purchased a one-year Best Buy/XXXX membership service at a Best Buy store in XXXX, XXXX On that same day, I received an email ( see attached email dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX ) from Best Buy/XXXX confirming purchase of the service and charge to my Best Buy credit card. In this email, the following was clearly indicated with regard to the future renewal of this membership service : " We will notify you via email 30 days prior to any charge to your credit card. '' With regard to the disputed charge made on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, Best Buy/XXXX DID NOT notify me via email ( or any other form of communication ) 30 days prior to the charge made on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX despite their promise in the above-referenced email/confirmation receipt. 

It is important to note that in years past, I had received notification emails alerting me to the upcoming expiration of this membership and the pending charge for renewal ( see attached email dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, XXXX/XXXX/XXXX ). These emails allowed me to decide if I wanted to continue the membership and also alerted me that a charge would be made on my card. Following a renewal, I was notified by Best Buy/XXXX via email of confirmation of the purchase and resulting charge on my Best Buy/Citigroup credit card ( see attached emails dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, XXXX/XXXX/XXXX ). 

With regard to other products for which I had purchased renewable XXXX Protection, I had always received emails from Best Buy/XXXX alerting me to the pending expiration of the protection with an option to renew ( see attached emails dated XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, XXXX/XXXX/XXXX, XXXX/XXXX/XXXX ). I chose not to renew protection on these items so, subsequently and appropriately, I was not charged for the renewal. 

However, and with regard to the disputed charged, not only did Best Buy/XXXX fail to notify me 30 days prior, I did not receive any notification following the renewal/charge indicating that the membership was renewed or even that a charge had been made. 

Again, I did not receive ANY notifications of the pending renewal, pending charge, confirmation of a renewed membership, or confirmation of a charge made to my credit card. 

I began to dispute this charge in XXXX XXXX after Best Buy/Citigroup contacted me via telephone regarding this charge about which I had no knowledge. At that point, the charge was already past due. My attempts to dispute this charge have continued since that time and up until present day without any satisfaction. Over time, late charges have been applied to the original charge resulting in a total outstanding balance of {$280.00}. Furthermore, Best Buy/Citigroup has reported to these late payments to the credit report agencies causing a significant reduction in my credit score.

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