Consumer complaint received 2024-09-16
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company: CITIBANK, N.A. (NC)

My Citibank credit card was used by a merchant for a fraudulent money transaction without my knowledge and approval. I submitted a dispute with Citibank, but Citibank claimed they couldnt help because merchants bank disagreed. I had one purchase involving two frauds with two merchants XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( XXXX ) and XXXX XXXX, and one bank - XXXX. I purchased 2 handmade 100 % silk rugs for {$8000.00} from XXXX. During the payment, I gave my Citibank credit card to XXXX. Without my knowledge or approval, XXXX processed the {$8000.00} rugs sale using XXXX XXXX account. Later, XXXX told Citibank the {$8000.00} was for a gold sale. That is akin to stealing my credit card for fraudulent money transaction. I want to return the machine-made non-silk rugs that XXXX sent me instead of what I paid for, handmade 100 % silk rugs, but XXXX XXXX asked me to return gold. ( Attachment 1 : Sale contract for rug purchase from XXXX with sellers business card, and credit card charge receipt by XXXX XXXX. ) Here is what happened : Fraud 1 : I purchased 2 handmade 100 % silk rugs on XX/XX/XXXX. Back home I found the rugs were small. I contacted XXXX to upsize the rugs and expecting to pay more. XXXX agreed and sent me pictures for review and asked me to verify size. I requested product specs, as given during original sale, many times, XXXX failed to provide. Finally, XXXX admitted They are not handmade, silk carpets on XX/XX/XXXX. I received an unauthorized delivery, as I hadnt verified size, of machine-made rugs in midXXXX. XXXX replaced what I purchased handmade 100 % silk rugs with machine-made non-silk rugs. ( Attachment 2 : shipping label from XXXX showed the contents as XXXX  carpet, weight XXXX kg. ). 

Fraud 2 : I disputed this scam sale with Citibank on XX/XX/XXXX. The merchants bank, XXXX, sent a letter to Citibank, indicating that XXXX is not their merchant, but XXXX XXXX is. XXXX also showed Citibank an invoice from XXXX XXXX sent to the bank for the sale of XXXX g millennium gold at {$7800.00} ( note : the invoice didnt have buyers name ). Obviously, XXXX misappropriated my credit card, processed the {$8000.00} rugs sale transaction using XXXX XXXX account for gold sale, that is a fraudulent money transaction. ( Attachment XXXX : XXXX letter showed an invoice from XXXX XXXX indicating a money transaction not for rugs but gold using my credit card. ) I submitted a dispute with Citibank on XX/XX/XXXX, Case # ( XXXX ). The Citibank XXXXnvestigator only worked on fraud 1, and couldnt get a resolution with XXXX, who opposed chargeback and arbitration, asking me to return gold to XXXX XXXX for refund ( note online search shows XXXX XXXX doesnt sale gold ). I believe XXXX is involved in the fraud. I searched online and found XXXX was charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( IEEPA ), committed bank fraud, money laundry, among other charges. XXXX has XXXX rating of negative. Especially concerning XXXX XXXX case involving bank fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. The investigation was closed on XX/XX/XXXX and the result was favorable for merchant. When I asked about fraudulent money transaction, the bill dispute reps said that was out of their job scope. I was also told by Citibank that because I handed my credit card to merchant, I have to take responsibility for any fraud. I am very disappointed about the results, which provided a reward to scammer to continue to harm consumer. Citibank sent me a letter dated on XX/XX/XXXX indicated Since our records show your card was present at the time of this transaction and the merchandise is in your possession. We regret that we are unable to assist you in this matter. That is totally wrong! First, I didnt have my card during the transaction because XXXX XXXX my credit card using XXXX XXXX account charging for gold sale without my knowledge or approval. It is fraudulent money transaction, a criminal activity! Second, regarding the merchandise still in my possession is that in reference to the unauthorized rugs sent by XXXX or the gold claimed by XXXX? I received an unauthorized package that was delivered without my prior consent or request ( Here, merchant failed to follow their initial selling promises and agreement ), I am not obligated to return or pay for the goods. As I informed Citibank on XX/XX/XXXX, it is merchants responsibility to pay for return by law ( refer to 39 U.S. Code 3009 unsolicited merchandise law ). 

I posted an honest review on XXXX regarding fraud activities during rug purchasing from XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. I posted the review to provide a warning to tourists and consumers to be cautious concerning fraud based on our experience with XXXX. I have received XXXX emails since XX/XX/XXXX from XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX of the XXXX XXXX XXXX, who is responsible for addressing customer concerns. His offer went from a hassle-free solution of return of products with full refund to threating a lawsuit if I do not remove the online review. I believe XXXX XXXX greatest concern was revealing XXXX processing the {$8000.00} rug sale transaction using XXXX XXXX account as gold sale, he fears exposure of fraudulent money transaction to public with legal consequences.