Citibank Direct Debit procedure

pagara · #1 (**permalink**) 20th July 2008, 10:15 PM

Hi, I've had the citibank (the free gold one) for about a month now and we have just received our first statement. I also requested (again about a month ago) to have the card balance swiped via direct debit.
As it didn't mention on the statement that direct debit was in force AND I never receivrd any notification from Citibank I duly paid the outstanding amount (about 8000 dollars).
Much to my surprise Citibank on the evening of the due date also debited my account (again) for the full amount.
After several (and I mean at least 4 to 5) phone calls they are going to send me a cheque for the remainder amount.

I have a question isn't a financial institute such as Citibank meant to notify you either on the statement or via a separate letter that direct debit is in place?

straitman · #2 (**permalink**) 20th July 2008, 11:26 PM

pagara,

Welcome to AFF.

There is another thread open here somewhere that talks about the pit falls of direct debit and why some people avoid them as much as possible. (Sorry but I can't find it just now)

ric_melb · #3 (**permalink**) 20th July 2008, 11:45 PM

I have been a Citibank cardholder for many years, just looked at my statement and it does not say the amount will be debited to my account.

However if you sign a direct debit form and send it to Citibank presumably you would expect them to act on it especially if sent a month before the debit would be due.
I do note that other organisations show on the statement that the amount will be direct debited, but Citibank do not.

Trust you get the refund cheque quickly.

Chicken · #4 (**permalink**) 24th July 2008, 10:07 AM

Some do some don't. For example, my AGL bills do say $xxx will be debits on this day xx/xx/xxxx.

On the other hand, my Westpac / Earth+ statement does not say this.

Robert Barlow · #5 (**permalink**) 24th July 2008, 04:57 PM

I set up a direct debit on my Citibank account in June. The letter I got from their Process Manager, Shared Operations said that I should allow 14 days for the request to be processed. I rang CB and they said that the DD was in force. Sure enough, it all happened like clockwork. The letter also said that if I had any questions I could ring 24/7 to Customer Service on 132484. There is no express statement on my account that it will be paid by DD. Other cards that I have, have this statement.

Zippy7 · #6 (**permalink**) 24th September 2008, 02:03 PM

I had direct debit setup a while ago.

One thing that annoys me is that even though the payment is taken out on time, every month, I get a late payment charge levied 2 days later, and then it is reversed. Does anyone else get this on their statement?

I was going to ring them and tell them that I dont want to see this at all, otherwise I would cancel the card. However, now that peeps are getting free upgrades to Platinum, I wanna see if I get the free upgrade as well.

beardoc · #7 (**permalink**) 24th September 2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy7

I had direct debit setup a while ago.

One thing that annoys me is that even though the payment is taken out on time, every month, I get a late payment charge levied 2 days later, and then it is reversed. Does anyone else get this on their statement?

I was going to ring them and tell them that I dont want to see this at all, otherwise I would cancel the card. However, now that peeps are getting free upgrades to Platinum, I wanna see if I get the free upgrade as well.

Yes, this happens to me monthly. I'm just used to it.

Zippy7 · #8 (**permalink**) 25th September 2008, 06:23 AM

Well, I rang up, and according to the customer assistant, its due to the funds "not being cleared", which I thought was crap.

I asked regarding whether this impacted my ratings, given these false late charges appearing on my account. You see, I haven't been offered the free Platinum upgrade (yet).

Hey beardoc, have you been offered the free Platinum upgrade?
//edit: I see in the other thread, you posted last night that you have not...

RB · #9 (**permalink**) 25th September 2008, 08:39 AM

We have the direct debit that shows reversals each month (yes get used to it). The upgrade offer has been received so no impact there.

beardoc · #10 (**permalink**) 26th September 2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy7

I asked regarding whether this impacted my ratings, given these false late charges appearing on my account. You see, I haven't been offered the free Platinum upgrade (yet)

No, it doesn't - I get these late fees and then reversals all the time, and they were still able to tell me that my credit history over the last two years was "excellent".