Citi Simplicity

[spongeavenger]

I've been on Citi's sh**list for about 15 years. I was in the middle of an application spree and some balance transfers when Citi without warning closed all of my accounts and canceled my BTs. Since then I've never received a single card offer in the mail, which probably makes them unique among major issuers. 

So today, in need of a 0% APR balance transfer card, I applied for Simplicity. Currently carrying $10,000 balance on two BofA cards with total CL of $36,800. 795/850 credit score. No instant approval, which didn't surprise me. Then I got a phone call from Citi, which I missed, so I called back within a few minutes. Provided the "key code" included in the message they left to ID myself. Waited on hold for about ten minutes until finally being disconnected for some reason (I wasn't listening). [In retrospect, I suspect the fact that I gave them my Google Voice number instead of a "real" phone number didn't help my case.] Later I checked my app status online and it said they were mailing me a "reference number" to be received in 7-10 days. So I expect this will end in tears.

I'm considering applying for a Wells Fargo card now since I don't have high hopes for Citi. I read elsewhere on this forum that any other applications within five days will result in automatic decline; that puts me in a kind of catch-22. Should I wait and probably get declined by Citi or apply to WF and certainly be declined by Citi? I'd wait but I want to get the BT done before my current 0% APR expires.

[coldfusion]

I wouldn't have such a negative outlook here.     There's a high probability that they're just looking to confirm that it was in fact you that applied and since you didn't answer the phone when they called they moved on to their alternate process which is to send a letter to your mailing address.   The letter will probably have instructions for you to call them at a given number and give them the enclosed reference code. 

Every issuer will sometimes follow up on an application to confirm the named person really was the applicant as an anti-fraud measure,  and the fact that they're looking to confirm that really was you that applied should be viewed as a positive until proven otherwise.  They aren't looking to waste their time contacting you if they've already decided to deny your application. 

[spongeavenger]

>They aren't looking to waste their time contacting you if they've already decided to deny your application. 

That's a good point--although they could still deny my application after I provide this reference number. 

On another point: anyone else have to log in every time they visit this forum, or is it just me?

[fury1995]

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@spongeavenger wrote:

>They aren't looking to waste their time contacting you if they've already decided to deny your application. 

That's a good point--although they could still deny my application after I provide this reference number. 

On another point: anyone else have to log in every time they visit this forum, or is it just me?

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Yes. Even when I click to remember me..

[EAJuggalo]

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@spongeavenger wrote:

>They aren't looking to waste their time contacting you if they've already decided to deny your application. 

That's a good point--although they could still deny my application after I provide this reference number. 

On another point: anyone else have to log in every time they visit this forum, or is it just me?

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The Citi fraud processes are... different.  I made my choice after dealing with them once that I wouldn't deal with them again.  Expect a long drawn out process with lots of documents having to be faxed or mailed back and forth at this point.

I only have to re-sign in if I change computers and sign in on another.  Currently on a Chromebook using Chrome, will also use a Windows 11 machine using Chrome.

[spongeavenger]

The Citi fraud processes are... different.  I made my choice after dealing with them once that I wouldn't deal with them again.  Expect a long drawn out process with lots of documents having to be faxed or mailed back and forth at this point.

That's kind of what I expected. Usually when I get instant approval or approval within a day at most. When I run into this kind of nonsense it usually ends with me losing patience and bailing on the process.