I was reading threads regarding Citi cards, and how some people are on a "blacklist", automatically denied new credit with them. If I remember correctly, someone said if your name or SSN comes up into their system, they auto decline you without running an inquiry. Well here's my situation... I applied (and was denied) for 4 Citi cards. When I checked the status of application, the woman (kinda snotty one!) told me that due to an account closed by them back in 1993, I was not eligible for any new cards. I paid this account in full, whatever they said the total balance was, in January of 1996. It wasn't charged-off or sent to collections, nor does this account appear on any of my reports. It's now almost 2004, and she said it doesn't matter if it's paid or not, I don't have any BKs or collection accounts, and I DO have a checking and savings account with them - I do not qualify for any of their cards. She said as long as the account was closed by them and not me, it doesn't matter. Here is the best part - they pulled 4 inquiries on Transunion for those denied applications! I thought if you were "blacklisted", you were auto-rejected, and an inquiry doesn't happen. Had I known I was on this damn list, I wouldn't have bothered. Three of the applications were pre-approved offers I received in the mail from them (AA Gold World, 2 for Citi PS). One offer was expired, and they still pulled a report and that was the reason cited in the rejection letter. The other rejection letters said nothing about what the operator said (about my closed 1993 account) - instead, the letters say that I didn't score high enough on their internal scoring system. Why would this happen (inquiries when I'm supposedly on their blacklist)? How should I handle this? Should I even bother trying to get any Citibank cards? And what would my chances be of having them reconsider, or at least removing the 4 inquiries? BTW, at the same time, I've recently been approved for BofA Platinum, Amex Gold Rewards, Dell, Bloomingdale's and a nice CL increase on my Fleet Visa. Yay...
Maybe you could try PFB and have them reconsider. I'm having to go that route and I've had 3 positive accts with Citibank in the past. I hope to get a response soon.
But if I'm "blacklisted", why did they bother pulling 4 inquiries? Do you think I could get them to remove even 2 of them?
If you can get an AMEX gold Rewards card, you are good enough to blow Citibank off. Forget them. There are better prime issuers.
Since you've already had the inquiries, might as well appeal on PFB or call and get better answers. My guess - and that's all I've got - is you filled out a pre-approved form and they automatically pull a hard inquiry. Then they run you through their "internal scoring", which I'm sure includes any history (internal).
I applied for CHASE UNIVERSAL ENTERTAINMENT card...DENIED (REASON--30 DAY LATE ON PREVIOUSLY CLOSED ACCOUNT)...long story short...100% WRONG...THEY WERE SORRY!!! I GOT A HARD ANY-WAY... FAST FORWARD...can you now give me the account...WE MUST PULL ANOTHER CREDIT REPORT...OK NEVER-MIND!!! They did a HARD anyway!!! HIS AND HERS MOST CURRENT ACCOUNTS EMPTY AND UNUSED...mine is now CLOSED!!! Hers is just in the SOCK DRAWER...
That's probably what I'll end up doing. And yesterday, I got another pre-approved app. from them for another AA World MC Gold, which they denied me for last week. I guess they mailed it out before I applied for the other one.
Re: Re: Confused about Citibank cards That's true...I hope to eventually get an Amex Blue and Costco Rebate card with them. The Amex rep told me to try in 6 months
