Guidance on new CC

Anonymous · ‎01-25-2020

To be fair, no bank is going to allow you to call from a number not on the account when it comes to fraud concerns if that's part of their fraud verification process -- that's for your security as well as their own and is why your creditors should have your cell phone number. Travel advisory says you're on vacation but that doesn't mean your card is in your possession and not someone else's. I think a lot of people forget that stealing foreigners' wallets is a thing that happens all the time.

But yes I have heard that Citi can be a bit ridiculous with fraud precautions. Their app has been hounding me every time I open it to enable them to track my location so they can use it to approve or deny purchases.

No single card is going to be impervious to issues though. Having at least two cards, one VISA and one MC, is a smart way to minimize issues and their impact.

Anonymous · ‎01-25-2020

@Anonymous wrote:
...Travel advisory says you're on vacation but that doesn't mean your card is in your possession and not someone else's. I think a lot of people forget that stealing foreigners' wallets is a thing that happens all the time.

I absolutely see your point here. But, I think that a hotel hold should pass the sniff test for travelling. I can see if there were charges at a furniture store or other showed up. I'm sure it was a computer algorithm that made that fraud decision, but the CSR should have some discretion.

Anyway, my cell# is on my acct. it was just not the primary number. I have since switched it, but then I started thinking about what happens if you lose/damage your cell while travelling. You can never win.

You're right too about the secondary backup card. The Visa and debit came in handy.

In all, the silver lining is that this incident has prompted me to change to a better product which I wouldn't have due to inertia.

Anonymous · ‎01-25-2020

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
...Travel advisory says you're on vacation but that doesn't mean your card is in your possession and not someone else's. I think a lot of people forget that stealing foreigners' wallets is a thing that happens all the time.

I absolutely see your point here. But, I think that a hotel hold should pass the sniff test for travelling. I can see if there were charges at a furniture store or other showed up. I'm sure it was a computer algorithm that made that fraud decision, but the CSR should have some discretion.

Anyway, my cell# is on my acct. it was just not the primary number. I have since switched it, but then I started thinking about what happens if you lose/damage your cell while travelling. You can never win.

You're right too about the secondary backup card. The Visa and debit came in handy.

In all, the silver lining is that this incident has prompted me to change to a better product which I wouldn't have due to inertia.

That's definitely ridiculous that it has to be the primary number. That would annoy me as well since a lot of banks won't accept my Google Voice number anymore (doesn't matter that I have had it since 2004 and it's the number on my credit report, they don't want anything to do with anything that could be VoIP). I have a habit of changing cell providers and not porting my number and it annoys me that I would actually have to go through that hassle now because of creditors.

It sounds like it all worked out in the end. I've heard great things about First Tech credit cards from those who have them and thanks for the reminder not to put too many eggs in the Citi basket.

K-in-Boston · ‎01-25-2020

To be fair, that has happened to many people with other lenders such as Chase. I agree it's frustrating, especially when you've set a travel notice. Even with bitter feelings, some cards are too aged to want to let go, though, so a PC is certainly an option even if you're not comfortable relying on it out of the country.

Anonymous · ‎01-25-2020

@Anonymous wrote:
I decided to stick with my local CU. My thinking is that it's one less username and pw to try to remember.

I decided to try for with the Odessey MC which has a $75 AF, but it has most of what I wanted and some I didn't know I wanted until now:
Roadside Asst (Can cancel AAA now -$59)
No FTF
Purchase protection-- not as good as extended warranty tho
Travel/Delay Ins (Can cancel the Allianz Annual Ins now -$180)
Points back which can be used as credit on a statement
and Cell phone coverage which is a bonus I'll gladly take (-$8/month vs Tmobile)

I was able to apply through their link last night. It said to log in if you're already a member, then the application populated with all my info already filled in. I've got an acceptance email this morning.
Pretty painless. This would be my first new CC in over 16 years.

The CU suggestion was indeed the way to go. Thanks Forum!