Consumer complaint received 2022-04-25
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: FL
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports
Sub-product: Other personal consumer report
Issue: Problem with a company's investigation into an existing issue
Sub-issue: Difficulty submitting a dispute or getting information about a dispute over the phone

Complaint:
On or about XX/XX/2022, I visited the Citi Bank in XXXX, FL. The purpose for my visit to Citi Bank was to try to obtain a secure credit card subsequent to credit sabotage connected to identity theft and fraud. I am trying to fix a problem I did not create. I met with an otherwise professional and pleasant Citi Bank representative. We engaged in substantial conversation. I would like to make a disclaimer statement and say I did not receive the Citi Bank representative 's questions as malicious. I am submitting this Consumer Financial Report Bureau complaint to officially request the immediate cease of asking consumers prohibited questions under law to eliminate liability in connection to the approval or denial of requested products, goods and services. Bankers, credit Lenders, housing representatives etc., have asked me questions related to : sex/gender, marital status, race, color, religion, national ( and/or ethnic ) origin, and/or age prior to applying for products, goods or services. This is illegal and unfair, even if the bank 's reason to approve or deny products, goods, or services are legitimate. The continuation of the practice of asking consumers prohibited questions greatly jeopardizes the integrity and credibility of the entire business and employees within the establishment. The consumer can not help but wonder if they provided the " wrong '' answer resulting in the following denial of services and the doubt is caused by the employees asking the prohibited questions, and creates credible liability. According to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act financial institutions and other firms engaged in the extension of credit are REQUIRED to make credit EQUALLY available to all creditworthy customers without regard to sex/gender/orientation, marital status, parental status, race, color, religion, national/ethnic origin, and/or age. As the consumer, financial institutions are required to provide consumers with any and all applicable disclosures, rights, and notifications in good faith in honoring Consumer Credit Protection Act as well as other laws. It is best practice for all bankers, credit lenders, and housing representatives to cease asking consumers prohibited questions that are irrelevant to the direct product, goods, and services at any time to avoid liability and maintain the integrity, and credibility of the business application process. According to the regulation the treatment of consumers who have initiated the application process is considered even before the application is started. Bankers, Lenders, and Housing representatives must NOT take ANY action that would discourage anyone from applying for a loan/credit, product, goods or services. In my case, Citi Bank denied my good-faith request for a secure credit card AFTER I was asked the prohibited question ( s ).

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 explanation