Consumer complaint received 2022-10-07
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed

Complaint:
Received several offers from CitiBank for a tiered checking acct. I would receive a {$1500.00} bonus if I opened a checking acct and met terms by holding funds for 60 days or more. I opened the account late XX/XX/XXXX and was told that the funds would be disbursed between XX/XX/XXXX and XXXX XXXX. On XXXX XXXX, I called and it was verified that the terms were met. So, the agent manually entered a release of funds request at that time. On XXXX XXXX, I called again to inquire about the delay and was told that I would not receive the funds as I did not meet their targeted audience. So, a dispute was opened ( XXXX ). Within hours, I received a reply in my secured account saying that I did not qualify because the e-mail offer was sent to my husband. This is outrageous as the offer indicated that this was an exclusive member bonus based on a longstanding credit card account ( ending # XXXX ) that we've held jointly since XXXX. Please note, that there were two online offers. One offer that I kept the e-mail on ( and which I've attached ) was dated in XX/XX/XXXX. Another offer was received a couple of months later with the same terms which ran until mid XXXX. I can no longer find the XXXX e-mail ( Its been over 7 months since I received it ). I didn't feel that I needed to keep all e-mails as I received a welcome confirmation e-mail which also listed the terms and terms and conditions ( also attached ). The terms and conditions state that the account needs to be opened and fully funded between XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX which is exactly what I did. There is nothing in the offer or the confirmation terms and conditions that state that the account could not be opened in my name ( this was done to avoid monthly fees as I'm a senior ), and it appeared difficult to open anything jointly. The money was deposited in good faith and I was never once told that I did not qualify even though I talked to customer service numerous times for fund updates.. At the very least, I should have been notified that I didn't qualify so I could place my money elsewhere where I would have received at least some interest without all the restrictions that CitiBank had on this offer. If I do not receive the bonus, then I essentially gave CitiBank {$200000.00} to hold XXXX for 6 months with no money earned. Since I'm a senior, this is a big loss as my husband are both retired and live off interest to pay our bills. It almost feels that CitiBank has resorted to deceptive practices so they can reject the bonus when it's time to pay out. 

I would like to have someone look into the Citibank tiered checking offer. Online complaints about Citibank indicate that I'm not the first customer that they misled like this. If nothing further happens, I may seek a class action lawsuit as this seems to be a common practice with CitiBank

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 monetary relief