Credit card disputes are rampant these days. With identity theft skyrocketing faster than any other crime, chances are excellent that an identity thief will get ahold of your credit card information one day. When they do, they will rack up hundreds or even thousands of dollars in charges before you even notice it.
Even though many of our clients have acted quickly to notify the bank that their credit card has been compromised, Citibank stands out as one of two banks (the other is American Express), that almost routinely declines credit card disputes. Sure, the bank is your friend in all of those commercials…right until the point you really need them to do the right thing when bogus charges hit your account. Then, these banks point their bony banker finger at you and say that you are responsible for the bogus charges. Are you? Of course not. Don’t believe them and don’t give in.
In the numerous cases that we have litigated with Citibank, they generally decline credit card disputes stating such things as “a card with a chip was used” in the transaction. This merely means that your credit card, like most others today, have a computer chip in them. Rarely does Citibank ever know for sure if the chip was actually used in the transaction. Other times, Citi just does a really poor job of investigating your dispute. But because they don’t want to eat the loss, they will do everything in their power to make you pay the debt. Don’t pay it.
Rule 1 – Document everything. Keep a copy of every email that you get and receive from Citibank. When you call them, write it down in a journal somewhere. I will eventually need it for the arbitration case that our firm will have to inevitably file on your behalf.
Rule 2 – Make your dispute in writing. If your dispute is about an unauthorized use of your account such as identity theft, then you can call it in. But keep a copy of your email or text to Citi from the portal and write down each call you make to Citi and the date that you made it.Rule 3 –When Citibank declines your dispute, call us at (248) 353-2882 and let us help you at no out of pocket charge. Under the law, we can and do make Citibank pay our fees and costs for representing you. You should that you have only 1 year from the date that Citibank declines your dispute to sue it or demand arbitration.
Rule 3 –Call us at (248) 353-2882 and let us help you at no out of pocket charge. Under the law, we can and do make Citibank pay our fees and costs for representing you. You should that you have only 1 year from the date that Citibank declines your dispute to sue it or demand arbitration.
Make your dispute quickly. When you notice something not right on your credit card account, you have 60 days to dispute it with the bank. Generally, your billing error dispute must be in writing. These include a bank’s failure to credit your account with a payment or any other accounting error. If your dispute is that your account was used by someone who was not authorized to incur charges, then you can call your dispute into Citi.
Make sure that Citi acknowledges your dispute in writing. Under the law, Citi has to send you a written acknowledgment of your dispute. Keep this email or letter.
Look for the results of your dispute. Under the law, Citi has 60 days or 2 billing cycles resolve your dispute either in your favor (not likely) or its favor.
In your credit card agreement, Citi stuck in an arbitration provision which allows it to dismiss your lawsuit and move the case into arbitration. For non lawyers, this is like the Twilight Zone. Arbitration is a private forum usually conducted by the American Arbitration Association or the Judicial Arbitration and Medication Services (“JAMS”).
You might be tempted to file a small claims case against Citi, but that would be a mistake. Their lawyers fight and win these cases all the time because consumers who are not lawyers, don’t know the law or the procedure. Its not a good do it yourself project, especially when there are attorneys who will handle the matter for you on a no out of pocket basis.
Contact me, Attorney Gary Nitzkin at 248-353-2882 and our firm will explain your rights to you for free. You can also email me at Gary@crlam.com. If we take your case, it will cost you nothing out of pocket because we make Citibank pay our fees and costs.
The Banks have great lawyers….and now you do too. Call me today.
Attorney Gary Nitzkin
Gary@gnitzkin
(248) 353-2882
