After a good long run with Citi Credit Protector, I finally got tired of playing their retention rebate game and called this past week to cancel (again).
As a quick recap, Credit Protector periodically send $15 checks that result in you signing up for your service when you cash them. When you call and try to cancel, they typically offer you: (1) a price break on the Credit Protector plan, and (2) a series of 5 x $10 rebate coupons good that can be redeemed (via mail) for basically any purchase regardless of your method of payment. Over the past year or so, I’ve been playing the rebate game with an inactive Citi AT&T rewards MasterCard, such that I wasn’t ever incurring any of their fees. Rather, I was just collecting (and cashing) the checks periodically.
Anyway, when I called to cancel I tried to cut through their spiel by telling the CSR up front that I didn’t want a price break or more rebates for staying with them, and I was well aware of the protection that I would be giving up. Alas, it did no good. The guy immediately launched into an explanation of how great the benefits are, and how it’s times like these, when things are going well and I think that I don’t need Credit Protector, that I’m least aware of how valuable their program can be. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
When I cut him off and insisted that I wanted to cancel no matter what he told me, he finally relented. So long Credit Protector! Now I just have to make sure that he really did cancel it… I should be receiving written confirmation of the cancellation (they won’t give you on confirmation number over the phone) within the fabled “three to five business days.”
Hi,
I am a grieving widow . I called Credit Protector
a while ago because the rate was too high and told If we lowered your rate would you stay with us and I said yes I would. So I stayed with them. When it came time to use this service I called and was told again yes you have the service where if your income changes or your spouse dies you will receive up to 10,000 off your bill. Please send us the death certificate and we will start the process immediately for you and sorry for your loss. So I did the paper work and faxed over the same day. A few days later I get this denial letter saying your husband did not die in a accident.
I said I told you he died of cancer. Sorry but this is an accidental death policy. I told them I never signed up for accidental life and it was not explained to me about that or I would not have taken it. So when push comes to shove do they really help. I think this is awful and if it happens to me how many others are out there. I thought all these years that I was covered for this. Who really can you trust. The insurance that has really helped me and I encourage people to use it is AccountSEcure Plus .. They did what they said they would do. I also told Credit Protector since every conversation is recorded please send me the tape and that is what I am waiting for.
Sincerely,
Donna
When will people realize we are following our rules or we will get fire? EVEN IF YOU SAY “I don’t want to hear it-don’t waste your time-nothing you say will blah blah blah” we STILL have to do our job and respond.As if we didn’t have it hard enough getting screamed at by people who had credit protector for 5 years and “didn’t know’ they were being charged 40$ a month or more. Or those who never used credit protector and want it all refunded now even though I don’t see anyone getting a refund on their car insurance.
This is my first credit card. I took up the offer for the 15 dollar rebate and canceled, but they did offer me the 5 x $10 things. I just wasn’t going to use the card so I wouldn’t get charged… has anyone had problems with the rebates? I’m kind of regretting not taking up the offer.
I just went through this process. They tell you the benefits, you say now, they offer the coupons (which force you to spend more and can only use 1 a month for 6 moths–so that’s 6 credit protector charges right there), you say no, they tell you the benefits, you say no, they try to lower your “cost per dollar” rate, you say no, they tell you again about the benefits before canceling.
Funking ridiculous. This is a horrible experience with Citi group. As I customer I don’t want to be solicited and exploited. Not to mention the fine print that signs you up for these bs programs. Now Amex, they know how to treat their cardholders.
HEY, THIS REALLY IS A REAL LIFE CREDIT PROTECT. AND A SUP AS WELL, LISTEN IF YOU DONT WANT TO LISTEN TO THE BULLSHIT CRAP THEY ARE TELLING YOU HERE IS A EASY WAY TO BY-PASS IT ALL, JUST SAY…. “IM RETIRED” OR “I DONT WORK” THEY WILL RIGHT AWAY BE MORE THEN HAPPY TO CUT YOU LOSE FROM THE CREDIT PROTECTOR.. TRUST ME, AND FOR ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT CALL IN AND BITCH AT ME… I WAITED ALONG TIME FOR THIS ” WE ARE FUCKING PEOPLE TOO ITS NOT OUR PROBLEMS THAT YOUR FUCKING IN A SHITTY SPOT ” WE REALLY WILL HELP YOU WAY FASTER IF YOU SHUT UP AND LET US TALK FOR A MIN.. IF YOU DONT HAVE TIME FOR THAT TRUST ME JUST SAY IM RETIRED… THANKS A TON AND REMEBER THANKS FOR CALLING CREDIT PROTECTOR AND HAVE A SAFE AFTERNOON… ( ASSHOLES )
As far as I’m concerned, it’s free money. They send the checks, I cash them, a couple weeks later I call and cancel. It doesn’t always go so smoothly, but all and all, it works.
I think the whole “get people to join a program by cashing a check thing” is totally slimy, and they’re relying on the people who don’t realize what they’re doing and then don’t notice the extra charges on their statements. Yes, those people are being stupid, but since when is taking advantage of stupid people an ethical way of doing business? As far as I’m concerned, as many people as possible should do what I do — cash the check and then cancel the service before they charge you anything. If enough people do it, it’ll stop being profitable, and they’ll stop using it as a marketing method.
I’ve written more about this on my blog, at http://blog.kamens.brookline.ma.us/~jik/wordpress/?p=45 .
I did the credit protector for awhile until I got sick of listening to them on retention. When I called to cancel the last time and they offered the price break I told the man that 49 cents or whatever the price was too high. I said something to the affect that I couldn’t afford it. Haha. He didn’t say anything for like 3 seconds, then said he was sorry to hear that and I should call back when I could afford it. He didn’t bother with the speech about how good the service is this time. Much more effective at ending the conversation than just saying no.
Hi, this is Nick writing from Citi Credit Protector. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve cancelled your Citi Credit Protector coverage, but I’ve tracked you down to your website so I can give you this amazing offer if you choose to renew your policy. Sign up now for one year of Citi Credit Protector and not only will we cut the price of your premium in half, but we’ll also throw in two free goat rentals at Billy’s Goat Farm. But this offer is only good for the next 24 hours, so please call us back soon and remember… you can never escape from us! Never!!! Hahahahahahahaha.
Have a nice day, and thank you for using Citi Credit Protector, a division of New York City Mafia Protection, Inc.
You’re pretty good to keep on top of it. They count on most people simply forgetting or giving up — then they get your $$$$$.
I hate how difficult it is to cancel these things…
I do have to admit I had one good experience with Chase…where I told them I wanted to cancel, and she asked is there any reason why…I told them, and she said okay, I understand. And then proceeded to close my account. She ended with if you change your mind, just call us. I almost did! That was the best attempt at keeping me as a customer.