Consumer complaint received 2025-02-11 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Funds not received from closed account
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
On __ I sent money from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Account over to my Citi Account in order to meet the welcome bonus Citi has available for users on their website. When browsing the internet, I saw credit websites discussing how Citi uses XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX-Citi 's version of Direct Deposit ) which allows you to XXXX  yourself money in order to meet the bonus. The requirements were XXXX x XXXX dollar transactions. 

Initially, I had XXXX issues sending over the XXXX dollars, or the XXXX dollars I initially sent over to verify my account. I ran into issues when sending money back over to my account. In order to fix this, I called Citi and they were asking for my pin number over the phone ( I didn't have this handy, so I reset my pin through the app. After resetting my pin, I was completely locked out of my account. 

I called the bank back up and they informed me my account was being closed. I talked to a branch manager and they told me that since I was using a XXXX XXXX number for my phone call, this could be the reason why they were shutting down my account, due to some sort of 'auto flag '. 

I have called Citi numerous times and have gotten XXXX answers from them. All they say is that I broke some rule- which they have continually refused to say what it is- and that they can not give me any information. Last week, I traveled from XXXX Virginia, 4 hours to XXXX XXXX to figure out what was going on with my account, they again told me that they can not provide me any information there, NOR can they give me my money back. 

It is completely unethical for them to close my account, but I'd be able to deal with that. My issue is that they have taken all the money I have, so I am not able to pay bills. They have taken my money, and they are using it for whatever means they desire- while referring me to one of their bs 'contracts ' they have that gives them the right to steal and not send me my money. 

I have offered full bank forms from XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX the bank from which I've sent my money to verify the money is mine- they have done absolutely nothing for me. I have waited already 20 days to receive my money, they are claiming this can take anywhere from 30-60 days. 

I have gone on XXXX and seen horror stories of other users experiencing similar issues. Never in my life, have I seen a Bank just outright steal users hard earned money. Money is not easy for me to come by. I am in college currently studying Engineering, and I made it a point to budget out my money for the semester so that I can focus entirely on my school work and getting good grades. Each day I check my mailbox and see nothing, my financial nightmare continues. The robotic corporate system of Citibank does not care about XXXX XXXX. They care about meeting their quarterly statements, stealing my money so they can make more money for themselves, and robbing a poor college student who is outside of the system-so they can go to a few more fancy dinners this month. 

I am sending this out because I have exhausted every option for this Ponzi scheme of a bank. Victimizing people through usury like this should be completely illegal and there needs to be justification for this unethical business practice. This bank will steal your money without giving you any notification, and not care at all about leaving you without money to pay your rent. 

This type of behavior is how people get hurt. The shadowy figures up above let their off shore agents do their dirty work while they drink champagne and eat caviar, victimizing the masses.

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