I had a charge on my latest credit card bill to ESSENTIALSGOLD 888-405-5356 CT for $189.95. I called Citi to dispute it, and they put me in touch with the company, apparently called Essentials Gold. Essentials Gold would not give me any information to allow me to dispute the charge until I gave THEM information about me, which seems backwards. I gave them my name and home phone number, and with that they were able to access my 'account.'

They tried to tell me that I had authorized this charge (not true) and indicated that it was when I had previously called Citi (maybe in connection with the issuance of my new card, but that was not clear).

They asked me what I would like to do with my Essentials Gold 'account.' I told them that I have no such account, and therefore to cancel it and give me back my money. They said that they would credit my card. Until they do, this is THEFT, plain and simple.

As others have mentioned on some web postings, I suspect that this may be in connection with the new card I recently received from Citi, and that the credit card company either screwed up somehow or is in league with Essentials Gold.