Citibank BP problem

[bajajracing]

I'm having a problem with BP citibank credit card.
I applied this credit card because i've seen they have free annual fee, so i applied and got it.
after a month, they send me a bill and have to pay annual fee $79.
i never use this credit card at all, and i called them and they said leave it until next following bill.
and they will investigate it.
and next following bill came up $79 + late payment fee + interest.
and i called them back again, and i told them what's going on.
and they push me to pay, no matter what.
It's totally not fair.
And i said i want to close the account then, and they told me to pay the balance .
the balance is almost $100 all up,

Anyone can give me some advice what do i have to do with it?
its crazy if i have to pay for the thing that i never use at all.
how about if i leave it, dont pay at all.
and ignore anytime they send me the bills
thank you

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Anyone can give me some advice what do i have to do with it?
its crazy if i have to pay for the thing that i never use at all.
how about if i leave it, dont pay at all.
and ignore anytime they send me the bills
thank you

Citibank will charge your annual primary cardholder fee to your account on first use of your account, including when you activate your card, and then on each anniversary of the​

date Citibank approved your account.

http://www.citibank.com.au/global_docs/pdf/Citibank_fees_and_charges_October_07.pdf

If you've activated the card (but not used it), I'd say you're up for the annual fee.

If you don't pay it and ignore it for 2 months straight you'll instantly have the card cancelled, a final demand notice sent and on the 3rd month you can say goodbye to your credit rating. Not worth ignoring unless it's not yet activated IMO.

 

[bajajracing]

can they report it to police or will i be arrested for it?
i dont care about credit rating,
i have another credit card amex and commbank.
2 of them is enough for me
never have a problem with them.
only with citibank.
i didnt pay because one of their staff told me to ignore it , and wait til next month bill.

 

[oz_mark]

I have not seen this adverised fee free, but that is not to say that such an offer doesn't exist. Having said that, the letter that came with the credit card should have disclosed the annual fee, along with a lot of other fees. What did that say?

 

[bajajracing]

i didnt read anything when i received it, just called them up to activate it.
first bill , i called them up, i told them if i have to pay annual fee, i want to close it.
they said leave it, and they will investigate it.
and then now its 3rd month already.
as long as i dont go to jail, i dont care.

 

[NM]

If you believe the card was supposed to be fee-free, and have some evidence supporting this belief (such as an advertisement), then you should take it up with the Financial Services Ombudsman.

You may not be concerned about your credit rating today, but a default on paying an outstanding credit card bill will have an adverse effect on your credit rating for years. And this is not just about credit cards, but will affect your ability to secure finance for many things including a home loan, car/personal loan, interest-free terms from retailers etc. Any time you enter into loan/credit/finance arrangement (even buying a Fridge from a retail store using their finance options) your credit rating will be examined and a default may result in the finance being declined.

I suggest you don't ignore it. Either pay it, or if you believe there are valid reasons why you should not pay it then open a case with the Financial Services Ombudsman.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Whoops I read your post wrong! Sorry...

Why don't you call citibank and dispute the transaction. Tell them you didn't authorize and agree to it.......... that will surely get their prompt attention.

Simply go down the line that you not receive the product at the price you agreed to with the merchant. As you've contacted the merchant already, they will be legally obligated to investigate the transaction validity on your behalf.

 

[ric_melb]

I think the point to emphasise with Citibank is that you have not actually used the card, even though you have activated it.

I suggest you look at the Citibank webpage under Contact Us. There you will see the procedure for making a complaint. If you follow the various headings you will see that Citibank have a Customer Advocacy Unit that you can contact in circumstances such as yours.

I think this is the initial approach you should adopt, and if you still don't receive satisfaction, contact the Financial Services Ombudsman, as NM suggests.