Credit Tips: CitiCorp Platinium Select Credit Card with 0% Interest

Posted On: January 1, 2005

Author: limegodess
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2004 10:15 pm
Post subject: CitiCorp Platinum Select

Any info good, bad or indifferent on Citicorp Plantinum Select credit card for balance transfers? Just applied today for card 0% for 12 mnths, no chrg for trnfs, then I think 9.99% after 12mnths is up.

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Author: runningdeer
Joined: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Location: MN
Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:57 pm

I’ve had a Citibank card for over 14 years. My current card is called a “Platinum Select Dividend Card”, and I’ve had my photo put on it for ID purposes. I haven’t asked for raises, but over the years Citibank has increased my credit limits to over $18,000. For the past 10 years, this has been the only credit card in my wallet. Until last month, I’ve never had a problem… A few years back, my car’s transmission blew up in rural Nebraska. I used the card to purchase a $3500 used car, no problem. Another time, a lawsuit tied up my income for 8 months. I continued to use the card for gas and other expenses, paying the minimum each month. When I finally got my settlement check and paid off the card, the bill was over $10,000. No hassle, no calls, no problem… Citibank recently installed a new computerized fraud detection system. Cardholders are assigned a “profile”, based on a six month usage period. My profile was apparently arbitrarily assigned to me, based on my card usage during the first six months of this year. They refuse to review my usage during the previous 14 years, or to change my present profile… I drove to California in July — bought gas 8 times in 6 states in 3 days — but when I attempted to pick up a $150 check at a party, my credit was cancelled. Very embarrassing. Citibank customer service said I was behaving in a suspicious manner, so “for my protection” they cancelled my credit without notifying me by phone or e-mail. I drove back to Minnesota in August. Bought gas 7 times, and then they cancelled my credit again at a gas station near my home. Called Citibank again, patronizing response, refused to tell me what I did wrong, or how to avoid cancellation in the future. Asked to speak to a supervisor… Requested that they reprofile me as a “truck driver” or a “travelling salesman”. Refused… Asked for a written statement of what I was doing wrong. Refused, because I might pass the info on to crooks… Really! That’s what was said… I filed a discrimination complaint with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates Citibank, and picked up a new Visa card at another bank, which openly discussed its fraud program… I suspect Citibank’s computer is denying credit, with no human input. So, I would suggest you establish the “profile” you want to have, during the first 6 months you use the card.

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Author: Board Monitor
BOARD MONITOR-ADMINISTRATOR
Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 459
Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2004 7:53 am

Try perusing our cardholder reviews section here:

http://www.cardratings.com/cardreviewfr.html

Let us know how things turn out!

Best Regards,
Curtis Arnold
Board Monitor
U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, Inc.
http://www.cardratings.com
501-663-0314 PH 501-301-8474 FX

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Author: puck71
Joined: 21 Jul 2004
Posts: 12
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 11:24 pm

Yes, I’m sure there wasn’t a human involved in blocking your card. Actually it may have been something done more centrally by Visa or Mastercard themselves. There’s a pretty complicated system that detects possible fraud. It’s not perfect, but I really think overall it’s better with it than without it.

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Author: runningdeer
Joined: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Location: MN
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 2:04 am
Post subject: Success at last!

I posted a lengthy complaint resolution report in the Cardholder Reviews section of this forum. Card Issuer: Citi Reward Cards Reward - Cash Citi Platinum Select… What I did was file a complaint and get a complaint number from the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, Houston, TX. This office is the regulator of Citibank credit cards. I also filed a complaint with the MN Attorney General’s Office. Then I located the name and business address of the CEO of Citibanks’ credit card division. This office is in New York City. I then wrote a very polite request to the CEO, identifying myself as a satisfied customer of 14 yrs, currently having a problem with the new fraud alert system. Would the CEO please authorize the changing of my “profile”, so that I can again drive to CA and back, without losing my credit? The office of the CEO could do that, and did. So, I now have this great credit card, reprogrammed so I don’t lose my credit when I travel long distances…I’m a happy camper again. Thank you for all the pertinent info you have assembled at this site. I spent several hours here, finally realized what a great credit card I already had, if I would just spend some time getting my “profile” adjusted. I did, and my efforts were successful…

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Author: Board Monitor
BOARD MONITOR-ADMINISTRATOR
Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 459
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 7:19 am

Runningdeer, Glad things have worked out for you and thanks for adding for review to the cardholder reviews section! Please tell others about our site…

Best Regards,
Curtis Arnold
Board Monitor
U.S. Citizens for Fair Credit Card Terms, Inc.
http://www.cardratings.com
501-663-0314 PH 501-301-8474 FX

View our latest credit card ratings!