It first happened just two months ago - December 4, 2011 to be exact. I got this call from a certain Alvin Paredes of Collections Department demanding payment from me for an allegedly unsettled bill from my Citibank credit card. He was so arrogant that up to this day, every time I recall those incidents, I would clench my fist in anger. (Actually, I rather prefer a hair-grabbing match with Mr. Paredes)
Accordingly, my previous requests for reversal of surcharges were disapproved, hence, I still have unpaid balance even if I already had my credit card closed. I asked, how could that be? My card was deactivated for more than three months already and during those period, nobody called me about my unsettled bill, knowing Citibank's reputation for being too aggressive in their collection efforts.
I should know this aggressiveness because I already witnessed my officemates being bullied and threatened over the phone by these collection agents. But that's another story...
Don't get me wrong. Citibank, is one of the few companies that I highly recommend for those who intend to get a credit card because of their perks and privileges. In fact, I blogged (click this
link) about that irresistible offer that I now regret I didn't grab. :(
Further, of all the credit card companies that I transact with, only Citibank would take the time to call me few days after my due date (talking again about aggressiveness..) to remind me should I fail to pay on time. That again, is another story. But let me explain briefly, lest some negative conclusions might be formed. I usually don't receive my bills from Citibank. I would know that I have dues at such date only when I get a call from Citibank. Such an inconvenience.. Tsk! Tsk!
Below is what remains of my poor memory of my conversation with Mr. Paredes, which goes something like this:
Paredes: Gusto ko lang naman malaman kung magbabayad ka o hindi.
Me: Bakit ako magbabayad? Hindi ko nga alam na may unpaid bill pa pala ako. Tsaka, ang tagal ko na pina-close ang credit card ko.
Paredes: Ok. Pero inform lang kita, tatawag uli ako sa'yo dyan in the next few days.
Considering that he would be bombarding me with his calls, I told him to contact me thru my cellphone instead of office phone. He said he can't.
One reason why I would want Mr. Paredes to call me thru my mobile phone instead of the office phone is that, I do not want anybody in the office complaining why I spend so much time on the office phone for my personal business. But actually, the more important reason behind is that, I could record on my cellphone all the snide remarks he made and perhaps make a formal complaint about it.
And yes, Mr. Paredes was so true to his word, he called me up many times again, and yes, thru my office phone, with the obvious malicious intention of embarrassing me to my officemates. You can just imagine what I went through. Grrr!
About two weeks later, I got another call from Citibank, fortunately, it was not Mr. Paredes. Bad thing, I was not able to get his name. He was polite while talking to me. He even apologized for the behavior of Mr. Paredes. Everything went on smoothly while we were discussing about the details of my dues. (Mr. Paredes, why can't you do that?) Later, it was found out that my due was only P427.50 and not P2000+, as previously demanded.
Today, weeks after payment of P427.50 (imagine, I was being harassed for not paying this amount. I must be poor, Mr. Paredes!), I got this bill showing that I overpaid in the amount of P1,939.12:
Tsk! Tsk! again..
