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$15 Bait From Citi

Contributed by mm | May 14, 2004 09:08 PM PST



Citi really wanted to cross sell its products to me. Since I received my Dividend Platinum Select Card, I have received at least three cold calls pursuading me to use its Credit Protector program. Today, Citi sent me a $15 check to lure me again. By cashing out this check, I will sign me up for the program with the first 30 day free.

Citi's Credit Protector program assesses 85 cents for every $100 new balance in each statement. In return, Citi will waive up to $10,000 of my credit balance should I die, or deter my total balance for up to 24 months if I lose my job, and cancel up to 3 months of minimal payment for certain life events.null

Of course, as many personal finance articles correctly pointed out, these programs are usually expensive for the coverage they provided. A term life insurance will be a much better alternative.

Citi is not the first issuer that tried to sell me this kind of service by providing a check, but it is apparently the most generous. Most other checks I received were only like $2.50 or $3, so I never bothered to cash them out. This time, however, I will cash out the $15 check, but I will also call 1-888-592-7344 to cancel the program in 30 days too. A bad deal is a bad deal, anyway.

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Read More ... 54 Posts In The Same Category

08/11/05 | How to Track (Multiple) Credit Card Promotions | (3)
03/23/05 | Citi Is Still ... Generous | (8)
02/28/05 | Your Free Credit Report, The Experian Way
12/29/04 | 5% Off Everything With Citi's Driver's Edge | (3)
12/03/04 | Free Credit Report: The TransUnion Flavor | (1)
12/01/04 | Fresh Taste of Truly Free Credit Report (Equifax) | (5)
11/02/04 | October 2004 Credit Score: TransUnion/659, Experian/744
09/30/04 | September 2004 Credit Score: TransUnion/635, Experian/732 | (1)
09/18/04 | $20 Bonus for BankOne's First Protect Program | (3)
09/13/04 | Doubling Up Credit Card Rewards | (1)
09/08/04 | TrueEarnings: The Better Amex/CostCo Card | (3)
08/28/04 | First Citi Credit Protector Rebate Check Received | (1)
08/25/04 | August 2004 Credit Score: TransUnion/734, Eloan/666
08/24/04 | $1,000 A Year Just By Picking The Right Card
08/24/04 | Close Encounters of The Third Kind
08/16/04 | 3 Bureau Credit Report and Score for $1 | (3)
08/15/04 | Clever Wording from Fleet (And Shame on Me) | (4)
08/14/04 | Small Balance Adjustment | (2)
08/13/04 | Progress with Fleet Balance Transfer
08/07/04 | HGW4 = 10% Off All Restaurant Bills (CFI)
08/05/04 | Free Money Still Abound | (3)
07/28/04 | $126 Cash Rebate From Citi Received
07/23/04 | July 2004 Credit Score: TransUnion/719, Eloan/710
07/22/04 | $30,000 HELOC Closed | (1)
07/21/04 | My First No-Fee 0% APR Balance Transfer Offer (CFI) | (3)
07/17/04 | Getting United MileagePlus Visa Signature Card (13 Cards and Counting)
07/07/04 | Applying a Home Equity Line of Credit
06/27/04 | $100 Turns Out To Be $150 | (3)
06/23/04 | June 2004 Credit Score: TransUnion/730, Eloan/700
06/11/04 | Everything is Negotiable
05/26/04 | The 9th Card | (1)
05/25/04 | May 2004 Credit Score: TransUnion/704, Eloan/679
05/19/04 | Citi Dividend Card: Sweeter Deal After 9/1
04/29/04 | Refinancing Closed, Part II: A Sweet Deal
04/29/04 | Refinancing Closed, Part I: Closing Details
04/25/04 | April 2004 Credit Score: TransUnion/710, Eloan/675
04/21/04 | Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card: The First Statement
03/30/04 | Heading for Refinancing
03/26/04 | Citi Dividend Platinum Select Card Received
03/23/04 | Monthly Credit Score Update - February 2004 (+7 -> 691)
03/22/04 | 5 Year Interest Only LIBOR ARM | (2)
03/20/04 | Providian Sweetens the Deal
03/17/04 | Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Card (CFI) | (1)
03/15/04 | Refinancing Now?
03/14/04 | MBNA, Increasing Credit Limit Every Three Months?
03/06/04 | Surpassed 20,000 Mark in MBNA Reward Program
02/23/04 | Monthly Credit Score Update - February 2004 (+11 -> 684)
01/24/04 | Monthly Credit Score Update - January 2004
12/29/03 | Monthly Credit Score Update - December 2003
12/10/03 | MBNA Silently Increased My Credit Limit, By A Bit
11/28/03 | Providian Increased My Credit Limit
11/23/03 | Monthly Credit Score Update - November 2003
10/25/03 | Monthly Credit Score Update - October 2003




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