I have been a customer of Citizens Bank since 2005, or maybe before that. I have a checking account that I use profusely for Work direct deposit and payment of all bills. I had issues before with their predatory overdraft fees that are out of control and after complaining I got a letter from the office of the Chairman that did nothing for me. But, this is another matter.
I also have a Home Equity Line of Credit. I had some financial difficulties so I got behind two payments. Last week, they sent me a foreclosure package about options that I have to keep my house, etc. Now that I got back on my feet I was ready to resume payments so I called the number they have on the package to discuss either lump sum payment or two payment installments. When I dialed the number they have on the letter, it asked to dial the extension number (no extension was given on the letter) or zero for the operator. I dialed zero but a recorder came up asking to leave a message. I did leave an urgent message to call me back immediately since I was obviously anxious about losing my house. That was a week ago. To this writing the HELOC did not even contact me once. I guess they are waiting to pass the time so they can foreclose on the house, and this is apparently not an urgent and important matter to Citizens Bank. Yesterday, 03/06/2020 on Friday night, I went to the branch in Dearborn Heights, MI. The Personal Banker was nice and she called the same number on the letter and had the same experienced I faced. She used her internal number and they gave her a Consumer Finance Line 800-708-6682. However, this was Collections for vehicles and personal loans. They told her that Equity department was closed (it was after 5:00 P.M.) now and they will be open Saturday from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. On the next day Saturday, I called at 9:30 A.M. Again, it was the Collections Department for Vehicle loans and personal loans. The person who answered said I called the wrong number (!) but Equity Collections is closed anyways on Saturday and they will open from Monday to Friday. This is contradictory, chaotic, and non-professional. I am wasting and losing precious time on what? not being able to call and talk to someone who is threatening to foreclose on my house because of a stupid Equity Line?
I hung up and dialed the so-called Office of the Chairman trying to talk to his secretary about this quagmire but, of course, she was not available until Monday. Now, I have to overcome my anxiety over the weekend. It's time to get rid of this bank and I hope all can see the shoddy and bad service I experienced. For what I faced this Bank deserves less than one star. read more