Dear Sir or Madam:
Let me begin by saying that I am light-years beyond upset.in this current economyand the outlook toward the financial market and banks, it amazes me how whatjust happened to me could happen.
I am a college-educated man, which due to reasons beyond my control, was laid off from his job a few over a year ago. I have been collecting unemployment as I look for a new job. My total unemployment income is $896.00. Less than
nine-hundred a month. This is poverty level.
On August 2 I received a letter from Citibank stating that Citibank was served with an Order to Withhold Funds by the California Franchise Tax Board. Basically, due to a mistake I made in I owe the state a little over
$2000.00. And although Id like to pay them back, currently I just do not have the means. The amount being taken from my account was $34.11 $125.00, Citibanks legal processing fee. A fee that is over 3-times the amount being
sent to the state.
So, I called the California Franchise Tax Board and spoke with a representative and explained my current financial hardship. He agreed that due to my current situation, hed put a hold on my account for a year, which would prevent any
further liens, and then he would fax a notice, immediately to Citibank to tell them not send the funds to them and put them back in my account.in Yiddish, we call this being a mensch: A person with integrity and honor.
I then immediately called Citibank a bank I have been a customer at for over 4 years to let them know and to make sure the fax from the state came through. I spoke with a young man who said he received it and they are refunding the
amount back to my account... Minus the $125.00 legal processing fee! What?!
I explained that due to my financial situation, $125.00 is the difference between eating or not.
He explained that he isnt allowed to reverse that fee. I got angry. I demanded a manager.
After a five minute hold, I was put on the phone with Penny Krietemeir, a supervisor at Citibank. I explained everything to penny on what I had been through and that I need the fee reversed. She said she cant. It wasnt Citibanks fault.
FAULT?! This isnt a matter of fault. This is a matter of having a heart; of being a mensch.
Let me interject a side note. I worked in banking many years ago, for a large American bank. I was in a management/supervisory position. EVERY FEE CAN BE REVERSED! All supervisors and managers have the ability reverse a fee for the sake of Customer Service. Penny made it very clear that since it isnt there fault, she cant reverse it.
In this economy, with the way that Banks are being looked at, how can they sit there and screw a poor person? I thought Customer Service was important to them? This is shameful.
An Irate Customer of 4 Years.
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