@"'can't find it within a few hours then you call to report it. This was a very irresponsible move on your part. "
Hmm. I want to agree with you, but I just can't. I think your suggestion in a smart one, and it's what I would do BUT the OP did exactly what CITI told him to do. I can't see how they or anyone else blames him for doing exactly what the issuer says to do.
Right on their website it describes this feature like this: "Misplaced it? Lock it." and "If you ever misplace your card, Quick Lock lets you instantly protect it without having to change your account number or go through the steps of ordering a new card. It buys you peace-of-mind and time to find your card. And when you find it, you can unlock it just as easily."
It seems like they intended that feature for EXACTLY his situation -- you don't want the hassle of cancelling your card because you figure you might find it. But you aren't sure, so you lock it until you know. That seems to be exactly how they are advertising this feature.
So I think if you want to criticize anyone here it's CITI -- if you think it's irresponsible not to call in when a card is misplaced, then you ought to be writing CITI to let them know they are telling their customers to be irresponsible. However.. CITI is still entirely on the hook for any fraud so I guess if they're OK with it...
