Wha?? Citibank "requires" a landline phone to get a CC

[Davegod75]

I've been trying to get this dividend card for like 2 months now.

First time i was turned down because my credit report didn't show any accounts with a "revolving balance"...stupid

So i purposely paid my credit card bill last month 50 cents short of the total. I usually always pay it off.
So I reapplied and was accepted this time.


however i get a letter in the mail today saying they need more info. They want a landline telephone bill or some kind of utility bill with my address on it. Problem is that I only have a cell phone and the guy from which i rent has all the bills in his name.

I call up the applications department and the lady says Citibank "requires" a landline phone to apply for one of their cards.


I think this is BS. what are they going to do in 10years when 50% of the population doesn't have a landline phone anymore.

What should I do now?

 

[pulse8]

Wait 10 years until they change their policy due to the increasing number of people without landlines?

 

[KLin]

get a different credit card? get a landline phone? change the utility bill to your name? wait 10 years for citibank to change their policy?

 

[CPA]

Ask to speak to a manager. Then call MBNA.

 

[welst10]

Apparently you don't have sufficient credit score in their eyes. I have cell phone only too. had no problem getting the card. Ask them whether apt. lease is ok for that purpose.

 

[Davegod75]

Originally posted by: welst10
Apparently you don't have sufficient credit score in their eyes. I have cell phone only too. had no problem getting the card. Ask them whether apt. lease is ok for that purpose.

i doubt that...current FICO is 748

 

[Mayfriday0529]

just get a notarized letter from your landlord that you live at that location.

 

[StageLeft]

Go somewhere that wants your business. MBNA!

 

[Noirish]

they want you to call from your home to activate cards that's all.

 

[Davegod75]

Originally posted by: Noirish
they want you to call from your home to activate cards that's all.

i've activated many cards before via my cellphone

 

[Ketteringo]

Originally posted by: Davegod75

Originally posted by: welst10
Apparently you don't have sufficient credit score in their eyes. I have cell phone only too. had no problem getting the card. Ask them whether apt. lease is ok for that purpose.

i doubt that...current FICO is 748

They look at a lot of things other than just your FICO...

 

[V00DOO]

Use some else phone number.

 

[Vic]

Whoa, whoa, whoa... first, they don't specifically want a landline telephone in order for you to get the credit. That would be a violation of the Fair Lending Act. The CSR you spoke with must have been improperly trained. Notice that they just want some type of utility bill with your name and address on it. I'm going to hazard a guess that you moved within the last year and the address you provided on your application doesn't match the address they pulled up on the credit report. That brings up red flags of possible identity theft.

What you should do now is try to find some way to legally verify your home address for them.

 

[dullard]

Is your cell phone bill paid by you? At least that would be a utility bill with your address. But you have a problem with many CC companies. They have activation protection that will only operate when you call in from home. Maybe their software won't recognize a cell phone call - so you cannot activate.

 

[YetioDoom]

Originally posted by: V00DOO
Use some else phone number.

All you base are belong to us.

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: Vic
Whoa, whoa, whoa... first, they don't specifically want a landline telephone in order for you to get the credit. That would be a violation of the Fair Lending Act. The CSR you spoke with must have been improperly trained. Notice that they just want some type of utility bill with your name and address on it. I'm going to hazard a guess that you moved within the last year and the address you provided on your application doesn't match the address they pulled up on the credit report. That brings up red flags of possible identity theft.

What you should do now is try to find some way to legally verify your home address for them.

WINNAR

 

[Davegod75]

i gave them my new address

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: Davegod75
I've been trying to get this dividend card for like 2 months now.

First time i was turned down because my credit report didn't show any accounts with a "revolving balance"...stupid

So i purposely paid my credit card bill last month 50 cents short of the total. I usually always pay it off.
So I reapplied and was accepted this time.


however i get a letter in the mail today saying they need more info. They want a landline telephone bill or some kind of utility bill with my address on it. Problem is that I only have a cell phone and the guy from which i rent has all the bills in his name.

I call up the applications department and the lady says Citibank "requires" a landline phone to apply for one of their cards.


I think this is BS. what are they going to do in 10years when 50% of the population doesn't have a landline phone anymore.

What should I do now?

I had this same problem. I jumped through all their hoops, sent them a photocopy of a recent utility bill clearly showing my name + address, etc. but they wouldn't give me a card because I had no landline. I have used only a cell for the last 3 years, and have no reason to get a land based phone. So I said fvck you Citibank, and applied for a Chase Ultimate Rewards Platinum Mastercard, which they gave me no hassle about.

I wonder how much business Citibank is losing because of this ridiculous policy. All of my friends only use cells - I don't really know anyone my age with a landline anymore.

 

[Vic]

Sorry, not Fair Lending, but Equal Credit Opportunity (trying to work and post at the same time )

When Deciding To Give You Credit, A Creditor May Not... Consider whether you have a telephone listing in your name. A creditor may consider whether you have a phone."

IMO Citi is clearly not in compliance if they require the applicant have a landline phone in the applicant's name. The creditor can be concerned that the applicant have access to a phone, but not require that the phone be in the applicant's name.