A debtor's cry for help!
I bought my first home. I purchased this home from a bank. Minor home improvements were needed. Excited about making our house our home, I contacted Citi. I had no other debt obligations other than my recently purchased home, and I was eager and desperate.
Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way. I allowed Citi to prey on my ignorance. They rushed me through the entire loan process, not giving me ample time to read the contract.
My relations with Citi showed no conflict until Sept. 08. My husband's hours were reduced to part-time and we began to feel the pain of today's economy. Heck, you needed a part-time job to pay for gas to get to work.
Nevertheless, I was always proactive in paying my Citi bill. In July 08, I started really paying attention to my "remaining balance." I noticed that after making a payment of 250.00 when the amount due was 232.00, my balance did not decrease even a penny. My remaining balance stayed the same (for 3 months). Now, though I was downright stupid in obtaining a loan from Citi, I was becoming more aware of their practices and performance.
Words of advice: for God's sake, do not question their performance! You had best do what they say (sarcastically spoken) or else! Really, they are not afraid of any attorney or any fair debt law. Nothing scares these people, and they really do get away with whatever action they take, whether it be legal or illegal.
So what do you do? 1. Pay your debt as fast as you can? Or 2. Try to stand up for what you believe your rights are and be belittled by the Magistrate Judge (who does not even have a degree in law)? That's right! Corruption!
In my case, I was only four days late. I gave Citi a "written explanation" explaining that I was aware of the debt I owed and that I had full intent to pay at the end of the month. My utilities were being disconnected. My girls had no Christmas. And I needed a little extra time to pay. Citi heartlessly demanded that I leave a post dated check. When I refused, they sued me the next day.
I have now paid a consultation fee to two different attorneys, and they advise me to file Chapter 7 and pay 1200.00 to be debt free. That does seem to be the way out for many debtors, but I have good credit, for now. Citi has already wrongfully influenced me in this contract. I was not going to allow them to force me into bankruptcy. After all, I do want to pay them what they are due, not more. Outside of the strong supporting evidence I have for creditor harassment, witnesses, threats and blackmail, as well as a list of prohibited wrongful acts committed by Citi, I am told that those acts cannot be included in the countersuit against Citi. The judge laughed at me for trying. The judge even felt it was important for me to know how ridiculous I sounded trying to represent myself (the funny thing is, I think I voted for him). But when I try to seek legal counsel, everyone is either best friends with the judge or scared of Citi. "Catch 22," they say: there are only federal laws against creditor harassment, not state laws, and those are not allowed in state or superior court (who knows, who will tell?).
So, you guessed it, Citi was awarded a judgment against me of $9,000.00. (Do you think the "old fashioned" judge had a problem with us, the defendants, because we were a black and white couple?)
Knowledge is usually power, but not in this case!
In July, August, September and October '08, I repeatedly asked Citi to please explain their fees and how they can obtain daily interest and a late fee. I was told to read the contract! When I stressed that I did not comprehend the contract, I was told it's my fault and I should know what I am signing. True, they are right, and I do take partial blame here. But I believe from the bottom of my heart that they discriminated against me on 2 accounts: 1. being a female and 2. being a white female married to a black man. Other than that, I believe they would have taken the initiative to be clearer on the binding agreement and educate me further to ensure I was aware of the terms, to help me pay the debt and void all of the add-on fees, instead of insisting that I learn on my own. Do you think an attorney would offer instructions on how to file a discrimination suit? Nope!
In my case, yes, I did file an appeal for an unfavorable outcome. But I have paid 300.00 in consultation fees where the attorney believes he or she can help me, until I am present, pay the fees and get a history lesson in law for about an hour, only to end up being advised to file Chapter 7, which means I'm still without an attorney.
This is my story. I borrowed 7500.00 in April 07. I have a credit report from Equifax dated 2-16-09 reporting that I pay Citi as agreed. Throughout the loan I have records of paying 3525.00, and Citi was awarded a judgment for 9,000.00. Please believe it. Citi can even lie under oath. So if you think you can fight them, back down. Pay ahead, and make sure that if you pay one penny more you note "for principal only." Their contract even reads that any extra money paid will go toward interest unless requested by the borrower. Yeah, they got me, for now. But karma doesn't discriminate!
The judge would not even allow witness testimonies of the wrongful acts Citi committed. Wait a minute, he said I could use their testimonies, but it's useless. More words of wisdom: don't ever try to represent yourself! The judge will publicly humiliate you and rule against you no matter how strong your supporting evidence is, and he will lead you to believe you are in desperate need of legal counsel. Please do not be alarmed if you cannot find someone to represent you. It's like Citi pays them graciously (under the table, of course). You got it: 100% corruption!
It's 1:07am. I cannot sleep, but I can't help but wonder. I bet you, let's say, ummm, nine grand, that Citi, the Magistrate Judge, and the two lawyers who happily took my consultation fee, knowing beforehand that they could not or would not represent me, are sleeping peacefully. No worries, for they are satisfied in ripping off one more working citizen trying to survive the effects of today's economy.
Get educated! Learn from these postings! These stories are real! These stories affect our livelihoods! No one deserves the treatment given by Citi or our elected officials. Yeah, I may be a victim, but I am an educated victim now, who will make the best of being ripped off! Citi will fall, though it may take a while, since they are living off of unearned, unowed garnishments! Sad but true! Pay attention. Don't lose to learn!
P.S. I will never question why the weak people do not survive when they allow their debt to take control of their lives. Suicide rates increase! People feel there is no hope! People who make poor decisions should definitely be penalized, yes, but should be treated like a murderer or a thief... A mistake should not constitute acceptance of wrongful, illegal acts. My family should not have to suffer for my mistake and poor decision, especially when I am willing to pay. But that is exactly what will happen if they garnish my wages 25% of my gross income and I have to pay $800.00 a month for 11.5 months. Ummm, I wonder if the judge will let me and my four kids move in with him when I lose my home over this judgment? Nah. Probably not, because they are bi-racial.
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