Your blog came up in my Google search of ‘citibank fraud’. Since my husband recently had credit card fraud on his citibank sears card. Nothing major (thank goodness) and yes, credit card fraud is a lot easier to deal with than debit card fraud.

I have never owned a debit card, and never will. I will tell you why – it is like inviting the world to have access (DIRECT ACCESS) to your checking/savings account! No thanks. I stick to credit cards, which I pay off fully, each month – no interest, no fees, no penalties. But then again, I pay attention to what I am spending and am able to cover my charges every month with no problem (I am frugal – and anal! lol).

I understand the concept behind debit cards and I understand why people use them. There are people who just should not have credit cards, the temptation is too much to spend and spend, and then just pay the minimal payment each month, and then before you know it, whoosh, you are 55 years old and have $30K in debt on your credit cards! Not good. so yes, debit cards are sometimes a godsend and a must-have, for people who cannot keep track of their credit card spending, or , have a hard time paying off their c/c each month – fully. Hard to write that ‘big check’ each month! Easier to pay the minimal amount. But me, being totally resistant to owing ANYONE money, I have no problem paying off my credit card each month. (and I only have one credit card).

You have probably resolved your issue by now (it is now November) and if so, can you update and let us know? lol. What did you decide to do?

I was going to suggest to you to go the credit card route, instead of the debit card route. I hate the fact that *anyone* out there can have *any* access whatsoever to my personal checking or savings accounts. I do not even do “online payment” of my bills – I still write them out by hand! lol — because I just do not want the hassles, as you so humorously wrote about, of doing fraud reports and police reports and affadavits and all that nonsense. If someone wants to steal from my checking/savings, they will have to do it via hacking into someone’s (my utility company, my cel phone provider, my bank) computers and getting my bank information that way. They will never get it from a debit card. I also keep all my bank statements, I never throw them in the trash.

So while “electronic convenience” in this day and age is very nice, I do not mind going into my bank, in person, to get cash, and I do not mind writing out checks by hand (still). I know – I am antiquated. I do not know if I will ever catch up to the 21st century, haha. I am only 45 by the way. So I should be into all this technology and electronic crapola, but I am not. I was also a software engineer for a couple of decades. I know how systems can be hacked, I know how software programs can have a ton of loopholes and black holes and glitches! I do not trust any computer program (even encryption) within an inch of my life. That being said, yes I have a credit card. But oh well, I need that convenience.

The credit card companies seem very quick to notice fraudulent purchases and they shut down the c/c right away until they get ahold of you.

If you have a very busy, hectic life and cannot manage the time to write your own bills (no online payment, no debit card) or go to the bank to get cash (I have no ATM card either), then you are kinda stuck with the online payment and debit card thing.

Anyways besides blabbering non stop, the other reason I wanted to reply is because I found your writeup very humorous and wanted to tell you so! I like your style. I am just sorry you had to go through all that. I think this is going to be “the way life is” from now on — since everything is going electronic and online-ish.

cheers! I hope you are having better days!
amy

It sounds like Citibank could have handled it better — a little “oh shit, that sounds awful. Listen, I know this isn’t what you want to hear but in the case of a fraud like this you have to report it in person.” goes a long, long ways.

I know that there are people out there with credit card problems, but this is exactly why I use credit cards and not my debit card. If someone gets ahold of my credit card number and runs up a million fraudulent charges, it is not my problem. I mean, I have to deal with it, but the charges stay in Visa limbo while I do and the issue comes down to Visa vs. the merchant who accepted the card.

Your bank account info is a lot more precious.

Second, I know you’re looking for a local CU, but if all else fails I can probably get you in mine from my military days. Also, check out bankrate.com for latest rates.

Third, I’ll shoot you an e-mail or give you a call (or call me) so we can go over some other things that need to be done.

Big Brother