Consumer complaint received 2026-07-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Trouble using your card — Credit card company won't increase or decrease your credit limit
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
I am submitting this complaint because I believe Citi has engaged in unfair credit limit reduction practices that have caused significant financial harm. I have been a Citi cardholder since XXXX. My original credit limit was {$16000.00}. Since then, Citi has repeatedly reduced my available credit despite my continued efforts to maintain my account. My credit limit has been reduced as follows : * Original credit limit : {$16000.00} * XX/XX/XXXX : Reduced to {$12000.00} * XX/XX/XXXX : Reduced to {$12000.00} * XX/XX/XXXX : Reduced to {$11000.00} Each time Citi reduced my credit limit, my required minimum monthly payment increased significantly. Instead of making it easier for me to pay down my balance, these repeated reductions have increased my monthly financial burden while simultaneously decreasing my available credit. The repeated credit limit reductions have also substantially increased my credit utilization ratio, causing my credit score to decline through no fault of my own. As a result, I have been unable to qualify for credit with other lenders or have been denied credit because my credit score no longer accurately reflects my payment history and overall creditworthiness. Citi has stated that the reductions were based on XXXX or more of my accounts being past due and because payments were low on XXXX or more of my accounts. I do not believe this explanation justifies the repeated reductions. I have never been more than XXXX days late with Citi or any other creditor. If I do not make my payment by Citis due date, I am already assessed a late fee of approximately {$41.00}. That is the contractual penalty for a late payment. Reducing my credit limit afterward effectively penalizes me a second time by increasing my credit utilization, lowering my credit score, increasing my minimum monthly payment, and limiting my ability to obtain credit elsewhere. Furthermore, Citis payment system does not permit me to make less than the required minimum payment. I have consistently made at least the minimum payment required on my account. Therefore, I do not understand how Citi can cite low payments as a basis for repeatedly reducing my credit limit when I have met the minimum payment requirements established under my cardholder agreement. These repeated credit limit reductions have created a harmful cycle. By lowering my available credit while I carry a balance, Citi has artificially increased my utilization ratio, damaged my credit profile, increased my required monthly payment, reduced my ability to qualify for additional credit, and made it more difficult for me to improve my financial situation. Rather than encouraging responsible repayment, these actions have made repayment more burdensome. I respectfully request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigate Citis repeated credit limit reductions and determine whether these actions constitute unfair practices. I also request that Citi conduct a manual review of my account, restore my original {$16000.00} credit limit, and correct the harm caused by these repeated reductions. If Citi believes these actions were justified, I request a detailed explanation supported by my actual account history and payment record. Consumers should not be subjected to repeated credit limit reductions that increase their minimum monthly payments, damage their credit scores, inflate their credit utilization, and restrict their ability to obtain credit after they have already been assessed the contractual consequences of a late payment. I respectfully request that the CFPB investigate this matter and help bring about a fair resolution.

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