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So, I got my new Costco Anywhere Visa Card in the mail a few days ago. Turns out I got a Visa Signature card as part of the card, and coupled with the rewards I was SUPER excited to move most of my spending onto it.
I activated the card, set up the mobile app, and off to the races to start with a tank of gas. Everything worked fine.
I added the card to Apple Pay on my phone and was prompted to call in. They told me additional verification was needed and that I would receive a letter in the mail in a few days, and I could call in once I receive the letter. Seemed odd, but whatever.
I then, the next day get a notification on my app that states that unusual activity has been detected, and that I need to call Citibank urgently. I call in, and explain the message I received. They told me that it's okay, and that it's only showing up due to Apple Pay not being active yet.
2 days later, I'm at Costco and the card is declined at the food court for a $2 slice of pizza and soda. I thought it was odd, but no big deal, I'll use my debit card. I then go to get gas again, and declined again. I'm confused. Then the next day, it works for gas and an actual Costco trip, but then declined at the food court again.
Finally, I call in. They told me that neither my cell phone number (that I've had active for years) or my home phone are valid methods of verification, and that I will not be able to use my credit card until the letter comes in the mail. I get it, fraud deterrence. But, I'm calling from my cell phone, which was on my application, and is registered online, and I can verify EVERYTHING about me, because I am me.
Why must you do this Citi? I WANT to use your card but it seems like you don't want my business.
This verification is for your own protection. Citi is looking out for you.
Once you close the loop on verification, things should be better. Hopefully that verification is just the one letter.
When did you last change where you live?
This looks like your first Citi card, or is your Siggy incomplete?
Yeah Citibank is fanatical about their fraud deterance nonsense. I had signed up for one of those music streaming services a few years back. My card was immeditately locked and I started getting the "emergency fraud alert, contact Citibank immediately" calls and text messages. So I call them to ask what the problem was, they state the charge to the music service didn't fit my "normal spending pattern" so it triggered a fraud alert and locked my account. I told them the charge was ok, it really was me and and they approved the charge. Fine right?
Not so fast. As soon as the charge hit the second month the exact same thing happened. Called again and was given the same spiel. I told them again that, yes I had signed up for the service and it was a monthly reoccuring charge. They said they would make a note on my account, lifted the account freeze and allowed the charge. Untill....
Another month passes and the EXACT same thing happens. So I call a third time, getting a little annoyed by this point. I explain the issue and told the the CS rep a note was suppose to be put on my account explaining this monthly charge. The CS rep says, "Yep, I see the note right here." So I respond, "Well then why am I getting another fraud alert and my account locked?!?" She responds, "Oh, the note doesn't stop the fraud alerts, those are automatic, you will still need to call in. Best I can tell you is the fraud alert system will probably figure out this is a normal charge eventually, but this will likely happen every month until then."
So at that point I was fed up and switched the charge to a different card (USAA) and never heard a single peep from USAA about it.
Oh if Citi did this with me then they would lose another customer. They're not worth the hassel for what they offer. I've had issues with other lenders like Chase/WF on the first swipe triggering a fraud alerrt / call to clear situation but, Citi hasn't been an issue.
Citi in my book doesn't rank too high on the ladder for lenders of choice. They tend to be low CL's upon opening, SP CLI's are lower than other lenders, $25 redemptions, unable to combine cards w/o jumping through hoops to get it done, online messaging is useless, and the list goes on.
If you needed a reason to move on....
@jimmy2000 wrote:So, I got my new Costco Anywhere Visa Card in the mail a few days ago. Turns out I got a Visa Signature card as part of the card, and coupled with the rewards I was SUPER excited to move most of my spending onto it.
I activated the card, set up the mobile app, and off to the races to start with a tank of gas. Everything worked fine.
I added the card to Apple Pay on my phone and was prompted to call in. They told me additional verification was needed and that I would receive a letter in the mail in a few days, and I could call in once I receive the letter. Seemed odd, but whatever.
I then, the next day get a notification on my app that states that unusual activity has been detected, and that I need to call Citibank urgently. I call in, and explain the message I received. They told me that it's okay, and that it's only showing up due to Apple Pay not being active yet.
2 days later, I'm at Costco and the card is declined at the food court for a $2 slice of pizza and soda. I thought it was odd, but no big deal, I'll use my debit card. I then go to get gas again, and declined again. I'm confused. Then the next day, it works for gas and an actual Costco trip, but then declined at the food court again.
Finally, I call in. They told me that neither my cell phone number (that I've had active for years) or my home phone are valid methods of verification, and that I will not be able to use my credit card until the letter comes in the mail. I get it, fraud deterrence. But, I'm calling from my cell phone, which was on my application, and is registered online, and I can verify EVERYTHING about me, because I am me.
Why must you do this Citi? I WANT to use your card but it seems like you don't want my business.
Interesting. I apped the day that it Citi went live with Costco and haven't had any problem since. Granted, I do have a Citi AA. Maybe that helped with my verification??? Your SL may also grow depending on your profile. It's not a bad card. I use it just enough so that it pays for itself, membership and all. Win Win!
sounds like they are protecting him alright, protecting him from Citi's idiotic processes.
Is your cell phone plan a pre-paid plan by any chance? Often times those numbers can't be 'verified' as yours since there is no periodic billing associated with those accounts. It's dumb, but it kind of is how it works. They don't care that it's the number listed on your application - you are not listed as the "owner" of this number because there's no regular billing (no one is listed as the owner of your number, probably). Citi has done this to me, and this ended up being the culprit.
I'm sure the banks are aware of this. I hope they can come up with alternate methods of verification soon.