Citibank Identity Verification

[MakingProgress]

Citibank really wanted to make sure I am me. 

When I applied online for a Citi DCR cards I got the dreaded 7-10 wait message.   I called the reconsideration line and when they asked me the last 4 of my SSN I was told what they had did not match what I gave them.  I find that odd since I had already seen the HP on my CR at that point from them.   By giving them my whole SSN they said that cleared it up and I was approved. 

Fast forward about a week and I get my card in the mail.  I go online to activate it and set up the online account.   As soon as that is done I see a message online that says my card has been used for possible fraudulent pruchases.   Of course I immediately call them and they say that this message was basicly to force me to call them and once again prove my identity .   This time they want a CC number and issueing bank from another card.  I give them the info for my cap one am put hold then told when they came back they said its all good now.

Yesterday I got a letter in the mail about the possible fraudulent purchases that was dated before I talked to them so I tossed it.  Citibank really wanted to verify my identity.   Has anyone else ever had something similar happen with a new card?

[Anonymous]

     I’ve never had such a situation, but you wrote something that perked my eyes. “Yesterday I got a letter in the mail about the possible fraudulent purchases that was dated before I talked to them so I tossed it.” You said that when you applied the first time your SS didn’t match what they had. You rectified it, but now with possible purchases BEFORE your new card was issued rings a bell. It sounds like someone was/is attempting to use part of your data to get credit. Because Citi issued the card to you, it seems like it may not have worked; BUT, someone made those purchases and the letter came to you.  There is a nexus between Citi, you and those fraudulent purchases (possibly your address or something similar). I would recommend you spend some time with Citi's fraud department and try to find out what that link is. It may be nothing (and I tend to be a little paranoid about stuff like that), but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Y

[MakingProgress]

I was parinoid.  The same statement about possible fraudulent purchases was on my online account  when I created it and I talked to them on the phone at that time.  The letter was dated before that phone call.   On the call citibank told me they did that so that I would call in and they could verify my identity.  They assured me that there had been no attempt to use my account,  it was their way of getting my attention so that I would call in and verify my identity.

Personally I think it would have been simpler to just not let me activate the card through any automated system like the internet or ivr forcing me to call in to activate.