Introduction
It’s no huge secret that you can make debit payments over the phone to Citi. This enables ‘pajama points’ since you can liquidate some debit cards from the comfort of your home. One of the best cards to pay Citi is the NW Buxx card since the load and unload limits on those cards are annoying.
Citi can now see names on NW Buxx cards
A couple of days ago, I called in to pay my Double Cash card. I don’t have any AU’s on the card, so it’s just me. I then made a payment with a NW Buxx card in my name, and it went through without a hitch. Then I asked to make a second payment and used my wife’s NW Buxx card. I read out the card number, expiration date, and 3 digits on the back. Then the rep asked, “What is the name on the card?” I told the rep it’s in my name. The rep then responded, “Oh… okay, because it’s showing a different name on the account.” She proceeded like normal and it went through without a hitch.
I then told some people about this, and Chuck over at DoC linked me to this Reddit post. So this seems to have happened around December.
Repercussions
So what does this mean for us? Well it’s business as usual for now, but I have no clue what’s going to happen long term and I don’t want to speculate. You do have to wonder what pops up when you use a gift card. This may explain why only some gift cards work. Want to know which ones work? Then network with people or fill out your own gift card matrix.
Do you recommend using a Paypal business debit card to pay a CITI card over the phone. My concern is actually with Paypal – I hear they shut down paypal accounts if they don’t like the activity they are seeing. Will this raise a red flag?
You can but you won’t earn 1%. It doesn’t matter how you use down Paypal – if you are loading MyCash, they will eventually shut you down, so I’d stop if you value your Paypal account.
I just tried to pay my AA platinum card and they asked me whether the card was in my name and I said it was in my brother’s name (as it has the same last name). The representative said he’s not able to take a payment from a card that is not in my name.
Hopefully this is just one agent interpreting the terms of his own and not a systemwide policy. With the growing number of NW users after redbird’s demise, won’t be surprised if Citi’s starting to notice an increase in number of payments by debit card.
Anyhow, will HUCA later.
Well, you should always say the card is in your name.
I just paid a Dividend card with 5 different Buxx cards with no mention of them being in other people’s names.
I did have this issue pop up a month ago though. My assumption was that I had previously used the Buxx card to pay my wife’s account and that Citi had a record of that card being in her name that popped up when I tried to use it on my account.
Pretty easy to explain that more than one person would have same debit card # if they’re both on the bank account.
I’m pretty sure it popped up on their screen, but the CSR didn’t mention it to you. Either way, it still works but something to keep an eye on.