Cybertoad's Blog

Kenny and I came home a couple of nights ago to find a message on the answering machine. It was a pre-recorded voice telling us that if we had not used our Citibank card in the last 3 days to purchase anything from a catalog or online, to please call the 800 number they listed. Well, we both have Citibank cards (who doesn’t?) and since there was nothing on the message identifying who they were talking about – no name mentioned nor last four digits of an account number – Kenny and I both checked our accounts on-line.

I knew it couldn’t be mine because I only carry a transfer balance and don’t even keep the card in my possession so there is no way any purchases could have been made with it because it hasn’t left its place in my office at the house in months. My on-line summary backed this up. There was nothing, not even on unbilled activity. Kenny checked too – he had used it recently – but he also saw nothing suspicious when he checked online. So he said he’d call the next day and see what they were talking about.

We got home last night to find the same message on the machine again. I asked Kenny if he had called and he said no so I thought that is why the message was left again. Something in the back of mind was suspicious though and had been since the first message was left… You’d think a legitimate credit card company would at least leave the cardholder’s name or part of the account number. I mean, if it’s that important because someone may be stealing from your customer, you’d make sure the right person got the message.

So Kenny said he’d call today and since he did not take down the number left on the machine he just called the number for customer service on the back of his card. He also doubted the legitimacy. Sure enough, Citibank had no idea what he was talking about so it seems our suspicions were right.

I’m sure that if we had called that 800 number we would have been asked to give our account number so they could “look it up on their system” and then ask for your mother’s maiden name – all the stuff they do when YOU call your legitimate credit card company. Think about it though… a credit card company never calls you asking for this information so beware and don’t fall into a trap!!

OK, that’s the end of my Public Service Announcement. Hope it keeps you guys on your toes!!