Consumer complaint received 2025-04-20 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — Store credit card
Issue: Struggling to pay your bill — Credit card company won't work with you while you're going through financial hardship
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: IN

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Request for Review and Adjustment of Interest Charges To who it may concern, I am writing to request a review and possible adjustment regarding an unexpected interest charge of {$2000.00} that recently appeared on my account with Home Depot and Citibank the issuer. 

This charge appears to be the result of a deferred interest promotional, of XXXX months on a purchase made of a riding lawn mower on XXXX -- XXXX in the amount of {$2700.00}, that expired on XXXX. While I have been making regular monthly payments since the purchase, I was not fully aware that failing to pay off the full promotional balance by the end of the term would trigger retroactive interest on the entire purchase amount of {$5300.00}. 

I did call the XXXX number on the back of my card and spoke to XXXX on XXXX as soon as I seen my statement regarding this matter. She had explained to me that the new interest of {$2000.00} is a deferred interest promotional owed and the minimum payments that went from {$49.00} are now to be {$160.00}. She also stated any new purchases made on the card is added to the promotional which I was not aware of this either to add to the interest also which I do not agree with. She would only offer if I payed the amount owed in XXXX days from the date I spoke to her above I would not have to pay interest. I told her I could not and asked to speak to the Supervisor who's name is XXXX. XXXX offered until XXXX of XXXX to pay the full amount owed of {$3200.00} on the riding lawn mower and would not charge the interest due. I stated I could not due to hardship and would it be possible to waive or reduce the interest especially since I have made consistent payments. I did not understand the deferred interest terms, which were not explained to me at the time of purchase, and was not notified the promotional was ending. He stated that the statements explain the deferred interest promotional and they can be located at the bottom each month. I proceeded to explain to him this has come at a particularly difficult time. My wife has been undergoing treatments for XXXX XXXX, which has included multiple unexpected surgeries. As you can imagine, this has significantly impacted our finances and ability to plan ahead. My wife and I are XXXX and live on a fix income. He only would say that this deferred interest is posted on the monthly statements at the bottom. I told him I have no choice but to file a complaint with the CFPB. No comment was made by him and the conversation ended. 

I have tried to stay on top of my obligations, and have always made timely payments. I respectfully ask that you consider waiving or reducing the interest charges as a goodwill adjustment given my situation. 

I would be deeply grateful for any assistance you can offer, and I am happy to provide documentation or additional information if needed.

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 non-monetary relief