Complaint / Review
Citicards
Billed $4.95 Monthly for Watch Guard Membership Without Consent

Let me say how important it is not only to be very selective about who you do credit card business with, but also to look over your statement every month. Dishonest credit card companies are becoming very creative in the art of lifting cash from you and delivering it to themselves.

Citicards did this to me, and it took me about six months to discover what was happening. At least twice a week I was getting calls at my home from Citicards soliciting me to buy into their membership programs. No matter how many times I told them no, the calls kept coming, but they slowed down about 6 months ago. One of the programs is called "Watch Guard Membership." I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I was informed that it helps me should my wallet get stolen or something like that.

They automatically enrolled me in this program and began billing me $4.95 per month on my credit card without my permission and without my knowledge. Of course I called them to tell them to stop and to return all the money they stole from me. They agreed to file a dispute letter to stop this unauthorized service and return the money if the dispute letter is accepted by them.

How is it that these large companies can do this? This is stealing, plain and simple! This is the behavior of a criminal! The monthly amounts they were taking were so low that it took me 6 months to discover it. The total amount is small, but it is the principle of it. I know I can't be the only victim of this type of credit card scam. I experienced something similar from Bank of America.

I encourage all Citicards holders to go back through your statements and look for this same charge for a Watch Guard membership. A good credit card company, especially one charging you outrageous interest rates, should not be charging you extra to protect your card if it is stolen, and it certainly shouldn't do it without your permission. Let's send a message to this company and others that they do not have the right to stick their hands in our pockets when they feel like it. I believe the law says that.