Consumer complaint received 2024-09-05 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Company: CITIBANK, N.A.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I was made aware of a promotional financing offer that enticed and induced me into making large purchases that have now resulted in a maxed-out credit card which has caused my credit score to drop over 100 points, my debt to income to become excessive making it now impossible to pay off or refinance this card with another loan. I believe this was unfair, deceptive and abusive in nature, as the promotion clearly indicates that " any purchases made until XX/XX/XXXX, were outside of Macys and at-least {$540.00}, would be given a 12-month 0 % interest period. I spent {$16000.00} within this timeframe to take advantage of the offer. The card was previously paid-off. After a month, I noticed I was being charged interest at a rate of 31.99 % and called and was told " sorry you didn't click the activate offer button ''. I then spoke to an employee who informed me that he would escalate my concern on XX/XX/XXXX and that the request was approved, and I just needed to wait for the back-end team to make the adjustment, and credit back all of the interest within 2-3 billing cycles. In XXXX nothing happened, I called and was told the employee was incorrect in XXXX and that the request was declined because I didn't click the " activate offer button '', they then told me to write a letter, indicating my purchase amounts and dates and a color copy of the promotional terms email. I did this via Certified mail and they never replied to me. I called back and was told again " you didn't click the activate offer button ''. I met every other term of the offer and am being denied due to a technicality. This was unclear and confusing and unfair to me. I want this to be resolved. They also are telling me that " I was not targeted for this offer '' which is disparate treatment and also illegal. Why would other cardholders, with the same account type, be solicited advantageous terms whereas another group of people, who otherwise also credit-qualify, are not also afforded the same advantageous terms during the same time-period? Such an argument raises concerns of red-lining and giving unfair and unequal treatment to people, that is based on what? I was asked to mail the following information, which I did as requested and never got a response or escalated further by the bank either. They also now tell me, it is not possible for me to speak to anyone else higher up in the bank which is also illegal and unfair. 

Macys Amex address for letter to escalate complaint : ATTN : Macys American Express Amex Offer XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX SD XXXX {$2500.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX {$820.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX {$4100.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX {$510.00XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX {$770.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX {$1500.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX {$1500.00} XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX {$2500.00} XXXX XXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX {$640.00} XXXX XX/XX/XXXX {$1000.00} XXXX XX/XX/XXXX {$16000.00}

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