Citibank is a bank that is part of a larger entity - Citibank N. A. (N. A. stands for "National Association") and it is the primary U.S. banking subsidiary of financial services multinational Citigroup.
Citibank was founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, and later became the First National City Bank of New York. The bank has 723 branches in the United States and they are concentrated in six urban areas: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Miami.
Citibank has recently been under fire for (allegedly) levying unfair interest rate hikes against it's US Veteran customers, and robocolling non-customers to solicit business. They have also been criticized and sued for the mishandling of user data.
If this sounds like an issue you've experienced, or if you have another issue with Citibank, don't fret. In this article, we will cover how to file a complaint against Citibank and have the issue resolved as quickly as possible. We'll cover for you what to do before filing your complaint, how to contact Citibank for help, and then how to pursue small claims court if necessary.
Remember, if you need to file a small claims case, Dispute can help you generate, notarize and file one within minutes from your phone or computer.
Citibank Customer Support
It's best practice to at least attempt to resolve your issue with Citibank through their customer service team before you decide to take any legal action. That said, you may want to prepare for a slog. Many users report that the Citibank customer support team is difficult to get in touch with, slow to respond, and unsympathetic to complaints.
One reason for slow customer support is that Citibank has an outsourced customer support center. As a result, you won’t be talking to the bank's staff directly, but rather to a customer service contractor who has limited, second-hand knowledge of how the bank operates. To make things more difficult, representatives at Citibank call centers often are provided strict scripts and guidelines they are forced to follow. If an issue can't be resolved using these scripts, a representative may have to consult a supervisor or manager before being able to assist with a more complicated request. So, even if the issue at hand is relatively simple, it may be difficult to get through to a customer service representative who can help you, and they might not be able to resolve your issue right away.
Since Citibank’s customer service is distributed across various call centers, there are specific phone numbers for different issues and countries. You can find all the relevant contact information on the company’s Contact Us page.
How To Sue Citibank in Small Claims Court
If you have reached out to Citibank but still have not resolved the issue, small claims court is a fast and easy way to get your voice heard. Lawyers are often not permitted in small claims court, so you can save money by following this route.
In many states, before you can take Citibank to court, you must send them a demand letter. This is a letter you write to inform the company that they must address your complaint or if they refuse, for them to pay you what you're owed.
A demand letter should meet certain criteria. Before sending it over to Citibank, make sure it:
- States the full name and address of the banking institution where you have a business relationship
- Includes your name and address as well as your account number
- Explains the nature of your complaint. This is an important part and you should include specific details about what happened and how the company has harmed you
- Provides a detailed explanation of how you’d like the complaint to be resolved. For example, if Citibank refuses to remove fees, ask for a refund or some type of consideration that makes sense given the situation
- Is written in a professional tone without being overly emotional or aggressive toward the recipient
After sending the demand letter, be sure to keep a copy of everything you've sent the company as well as any responses you receive. Sending the letter through a method that provides a tracking number can help provide evidence for court later.
And remember, Dispute can help you generate and send a demand letter via USPS 2-day shipping (with a tracking number attached) in just minutes from your phone or computer.
The legal process for suing Citibank in a small claims court can get complicated even if it's easier than a civil court. Dipute is here to offer you a faster and simpler yet equally effective alternative. With us, you don’t need to worry yourself with tedious bureaucracy. Our software can help you sue Citibank in small claims court by generating and notarizing a court filing for you in minutes.
Here’s how you can file a claim against Citibank in a few easy steps:
1. Head to our website to access our software:
2. Click "Get Started" and choose the "Small Claims" service (or another if you'd like to start somewhere else).
3. Enter your case information including your info, the defendant's info and a summary of the issue.
4. Choose the courthouse where you want to file, answer their form's specific questions, and sign the document.Now you're ready to file a case directly with the court from your phone or computer. If you have any questions about filing a small claims case against Citibank or accessing Dispute's software, please reach out and contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is Citibank's Registered Agent?
- The Registered Agent may vary depending upon who you're filing against, and where you are filing. Citibank's Registered Agent is the Corporation Trust Company. You can find their information below.
Do I need a lawyer for Small Claims Court?
- Not necessarily. One of the easier things about small claims court is that lawyers aren’t usually required. This may make the small claims process less intimidating and more affordable. But, still, the small claims process can get complicated. Consider filing through Dispute, as we simplify the small process with our software.
How much does it cost to file a Small Claims Case?
- Court Filing Fees: The amount you will pay to file a small claims lawsuit depends on how much you are suing for and where you are suing. You can expect to pay between $30 to $400 to file the lawsuit. _If you cannot afford to pay court fees, you can ask the court to waive the fees. _Dispute charges a small fee to help generate, sign and/or file any documents on your behalf.
Serving Costs: Once the lawsuit is filed, you must notify the company that you have sued them. This is called "serving." Serving Costs can range from $20-100 depending on the local area.
