In 2009, I received a letter from Citibank, which is the bank that handles SEARS Credit Cards. The letter informed me that because I had not used the card for any transactions for over 6 years or so that they were terminating my card.

I thought, OK. I cut the card up and disposed of it, figuring this was OK.

In January of 2010, I received a bill for the annual $25 or so fee. I thought, this is a mistake because they informed me they canceled my card. i "STUPIDLY" ignored the bill, thinking they would discover their error. Come February 2010, I receive another bill with LATE FEES attached.

I called CITIBANK and talked to no less than 6 representatives, each one having a difference in how this happened and what they were going to do about it... The reps. ranged in commentary/script from, "Sorry, Sir... clearly there is a mistake and we will take care of this immediately", to.. "Oh! I see... it is NOT an annual fee but rather a REWARDS POINTS program that is in place."

I said I would pay the fee and the late fee but that I wanted the card CANCELLED. They stated they would do that.

This was only the beginning of the horror!!

In April, every year, I take advantage of the laws that allow free credit reports in the state of NJ. To my absolute disbelief, my credit rating went from high 800's to a dismal 338!...

Why? BECAUSE CITIBANK PUT IN A NEGATIVE REPORT ON ME EVEN THOUGH I PAID THEIR STUPID ANNUAL FEE WHEN THEY TOLD ME MY CARD WAS CANCELED! Sorry for the shouting...


The horror story continues though because this year, in spite of a December 2010 letter stating THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE CHARGING ANNUAL FEES, I received a bill from them for "BONUS AIRLINE MILES PROGRAM" which I NEVER signed up for!!!

I am getting a minimum of three calls a week at my home number (they are prerecorded, and beg me to call them to "discuss my account" which they terminated in 2009, received my request to terminate in March of 2010.

What the hell is wrong with these people???? Are they not getting enough interest to pay the salary increases of their CEO's????

I does not seem worth my effort to even call them to try to straighten this out because they did not do it in 2010!

The only solution I see is to write the NJ Attorney General.

If, however, there are other solutions I would be grateful for a post regarding this.

Many thanks, and sorry for shouting!

Respectfully and accurately submited,

Bob Pomicter Jr

In DECEMBER, 2010, I received a letter from CITIBANK with the new terms