Consumer complaint received 2015-08-30
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: CA
Product: Credit card
Issue: Credit card protection / Debt protection

Complaint:
In the latter quarter of XXXX I opened a Best Buy Credit Card account and purchased a new television and surround-sound system for approximately {$1400.00} through the creditor XXXX with a 24-month 0 % interest-rate. Shortly thereafter I set up an automated monthly bill-pay of {$25.00}. In XXXX of XXXX I began receiving confusing letters from Citibank , N.A . informing me that they were unable to contact me and that my account was now delinquent. The first was dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX and stated my account was delinquent and I could clear this debt by paying immediately {$700.00} of the current balance of {$1000.00}. The second was dated XXXX XXXX, XXXX and stated that they had been trying to contact me but were unable to. I believe this is a lie, as all of my contact information was provided by me when I opened the account and they obviously had my home address. Also, at this time I did not understand that a new creditor had bought this debt, as no-where in either of the letters I received did it state this fact. Not realizing that a new creditor was holding this debt I verified that my automatic-bill-pay was still active, and figured that the most recent payment which became delinquent must have gotten lost in the mail. I attempted to call Citibank , N.A . through the toll free number provided in the letter, and followed their automated phone system to the point where it asked me for my social security number or XXXX account number. When I provided either my S.S.N. or my BestBuy account number the automated phone system disconnected my call. I tried this several times with the same result. I then attempted to call XXXX and was told that they could not provide any help to me, as Citibank , N.A . now owned the debt. This is when I fully realized the situation ; that a different credit company had bought my debt. I again attempted to call the toll free CitiBank , N.A . number and again was disconnected each time I entered my S.S.N. or my account number. In the months following I began receiving collection notices for the debt amount, with the addition of {$200.00} in extra fees. I spoke to a representative of XXXX XXXX , XXXX and attempted to explain the situation telling them I refused to pay on this debt unless my account was re-instated with the additional 18 months of 0 % interest I was entitled to, and all additional charges were removed, but they could not help me with Citibank, N.A., as the debt was now purchased by this collection company. This debt is now been passed to XXXX other collection companies and has been adversely affecting my credit for almost 2 years now. I am a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXveteran, and a XXXX student. I am currently between vehicles and am unable to purchase a new car to commute to campus because of this collection on my credit. This is a serious problem for me, as I am entering my XXXX for my XXXXmajor. If I can not get to school my future career path may be in jeopardy. I believe the misleading and obfuscating letters I received from Citibank , N.A . was a deliberate attempt to violate the terms of my 0 % interest rate deal so that they could collect on their new debt and not honor the original agreement I made with XXXX. The claim that they " Could not contact '' me is false, as all my contact information was provided to XXXX when I opened the account. I also think the fact that their automated phone system disconnected me when I attempted to enter my S.S.N or account number proves this. I am hoping for a speedy solution to this issue, and truly believe this was caused by a deliberate attempt by CitiBank , N.A . to negate the original deal of 0 % interest for 24-months, which I made this purchase under, with obfuscation, out-right lies, and disreputable business and lending practices. Thank you for your time.

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