Personal Data of 3.9 Million CitiFinancial Customers Lost

by Mario Lozano on June 7, 2005 · 84 comments

in Identity Theft

A box of computer tapes containing personal information on 3.9 million customers of CitiFinancial was lost recently by United Parcel Service, while in transit to a credit bureau, Citigroup said Monday. CitiFinancial, the consumer finance subsidiary of Citigroup, has begun mailing a letter to all customers affected by the breach in security.

The tapes contained names, Social Security numbers, account numbers and payment histories of customers who acquired loan products through one of CitiFinancial�s network of more than 1,800 branches, or retailers in the United States. The tapes did not contain any customer information from CitiFinancial Auto, CitiFinancial Mortgage or any other Citigroup business.

The company said it had no reason to believe that this information has been used inappropriately, nor has it received any reports of unauthorized activity.

Furthermore, there was no information on these tapes relating to customers of the CitiFinancial network operations in Canada or Puerto Rico.

Beginning in July, CitiFinancial said the information they provide to credit bureaus will be sent via direct encrypted electronic transmission.

(via Business Wire)

{ 84 comments }

1 Janice July 2, 2005 at 2:44 pm

I do not know why people put on here that our loans are going to be forgiven because none of this is so. Some of the people joining this dicussion are just out to give us wrong information. I would like to hear anything anyone has to say about a class action suit.

2 jenna celini July 3, 2005 at 9:17 pm

Please email me if there is a class action lawsuit. We were notified of this mishap. I called the office and they were rude. I am interested in any legal action taken

3 Rob July 6, 2005 at 8:57 am

I am also very interested in if there is a class action lawsuit. This is something that I will have to think about the rest of my life because they let all of my personal information out there. If the people that have the information decide to use that information 10 or 20 years from now Citi will be even more rude then they already have been. I want more then just a loan paid off (which already has been) this is crazy if they get away without giving people like us something to insure that if something happens we can deal with it!!

4 Ron P July 6, 2005 at 4:30 pm

If anyone files a class action suit please email me at ron_p_21@yahoo.com

5 Michael Lee July 7, 2005 at 8:40 pm

IS THERE ANY ONE FROM NORTH CAROLINA THAT IS INTERESTED IN GETTING TOGETHER AND FILING A CLASSACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST THESE CROOKS? AND HAS ANYONE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY WE DO NOT NEED TO LET THIS THING GET COLD IT IS TIME FOR THE LAW TO SEE THAT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE TO THESE CROOKS, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET INFORMATION FROM THEM FOR OVER TWO YEARS ON AN OLD PAID OUT ACCOUNT THAT WAS REFINANCED AND AS OF TODAY 07/07/05 THEY HAVE SENT ME NOTHING, THEY MUST HAD LOST THAT TOO I AM BEGINNING TO BELIEVE THAT IS THE REASON THEY GOT IN TOUCH WITH ME IN 2000 AND TOLD ME THAT I WAS $2000.O0 BEHIND ON MY LOAN AND I HAD PAID EVERY MONTH BUT WAS STILL THAT MUCH BEHIND????? AND NO ONE WOULD OR WAS ABLE TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME AND I HAD TO EITHER REFINANCE MY LOAN OR LOSE MY HOUSE AND PROPERTY AND I WAS NOT ABOUT TO DO THAT SO I REFINACED AND NOW I AM TRYING TO GET FROM THEM INFORMATION ON THAT ACCOUNT AND THEY REFUSE TO RESPOND TO ME SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO TOO MANY PEOPLE AND THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT CAN NOT AFFORD TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO FIGHT THIS BIG GIANT BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU I AM GOING AFTER THEM BIG TIME PRETTY SOON FOR REFUSING TO SEND ME MY RECORDS OF MY OLD ACCOUNT AND NOW THIS NEW THING WITH THEM PUTTING MY INFORMATION IN THE HANDS OF SOMEONE ELSE THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT WAS LOST BY THEM, I WANT SOMEONE TO PLEASE TELL ME HOW IN THE WORLD COULD UPS LOSE A PACKAGE WHEN EVERY STOP THEY MAKE THEY HAVE THE PEOPLE TO SIGN FOR IT AND /OR THEY SCAN THE PACKAGE THAT TELLS THEM WHO WHEN WHERE IT WAS LEFT, COME ON CITIFINANCIAL WE WERE NOT BORN YESTERDAY.

PEOPLE LET’S GET TOGETHER AND START RESPONDING WITH ONE ANOTHER NOW.

6 Janice July 9, 2005 at 5:39 pm

I am from North Carolina and if anyone starts a class action lawsuit please notify me.

7 charlene abner July 10, 2005 at 11:28 am

I would like to join everyone else on a lawsuit against citifinancial and ups. I agree with the other people. They need sueing they want talk fair about this matter.I also have account with them and my identity and my husbands was also lost.If anyone hears about a lawsuit being filed please email me at charleabn@cs.com They should have to pay us not us pay them.charlene Kentucky

8 Timmy July 10, 2005 at 11:59 am

I would like to say if anyone files a lawsuit. please notify me. i was also affected by thies to my identity was also stolen to.they should have to pay. Tim Kentucky

9 RITA July 12, 2005 at 10:35 am

I AM VERY UPSET WITH CITIFINANCIAL AND ALSO WITH CREDIT DATA SERVICES AN AFFILIATE OF EXPERIAN. I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS WHOLE SECURITY BREACH AND I’VE CONTACTED BOTH COMPANIES AND MY PERSONAL INFO. HAS BEEN CHANGED. EVERONE PUT TEMPORARY FRAUD ALERTS ON YOUR CREDIT FILES AND WATCH ONLINE FOR ANY ACTIVITY. I FILED COMPLAINTS AGAINST EXPERIAN ALSO WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION AND MORE WILL BE DONE. I’M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME TYPE OF LAW SUIT SOON.IF THERE CANNOT BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT,THEN EVERYONE JUST FILE THERE OWN LAWSUIT AND SHOW HOW YOU WERE AFFECTED AND SOMETHING WILL BE DONE,I’M SURE OF IT.

10 ibrahim July 13, 2005 at 2:33 pm

Hi,

My question is about a package lost by UPS. This package contains survey

and test documents of more than 3000 Turkish students for which I worked

one year to get neccessary permissions and 8 people worked in eight cities

to collect this data. Now this 40 pouns parcel is lost its been missing for

12 days. The tracking shows that its last checked in Stanton, PA. Me and

the sender have been talking to UPS in both countries for five days, they

say they are still looking for it. I don’t think they are going to find it.

This parcel has been sent as very important document. May be it has no

commercial value, copying, postage, and personal expences cost little bit

more than $1,000, but how about may one year. I am a PhD student with

scholarship and I have limited time to finish my study. Now I have to go

back to Turkey get the permission from Ministry of Education, get the

permissions from the parents, collect to data again. Forget about airline

ticket and other expences, I’ll suffer a lot and I want UPS suffer, too.

Could you please help me, what options I have?

11 ibrahim July 13, 2005 at 2:38 pm

Hi,

My question is about a package lost by UPS. This package contains survey

and test documents of more than 3000 Turkish students for which I worked

one year to get neccessary permissions and 8 people worked in eight cities

to collect this data. Now this 40 pouns parcel is lost its been missing for

12 days. The tracking shows that its last checked in Stanton, PA. Me and

the sender have been talking to UPS in both countries for five days, they

say they are still looking for it. I don’t think they are going to find it.

This parcel has been sent as very important document. May be it has no

commercial value, copying, postage, and personal expences cost little bit

more than $1,000, but how about may one year. I am a PhD student with

scholarship and I have limited time to finish my study. Now I have to go

back to Turkey get the permission from Ministry of Education, get the

permissions from the parents, collect to data again. Forget about airline

ticket and other expences, I’ll suffer a lot and I want UPS suffer, too.

Could you please help me, what options I have?

12 lazyatbest July 14, 2005 at 9:07 am

I didn’t have time to read all the postings so if this is repetative my apologies…but the following law firm is posting on their web site that they are interested in persuing a class action suit against citifinancial. http://www.alexanderlaw.com/citigroup/index.html

13 lazyatbest July 14, 2005 at 9:07 am

I didn’t have time to read all the postings so if this is repetative my apologies…but the following law firm is posting on their web site that they are interested in persuing a class action suit against citifinancial. http://www.alexanderlaw.com/citigroup/index.html

14 lazyatbest July 14, 2005 at 9:14 am

I didn’t have time to read all the postings so if this is repetative my apologies…but the following law firm is posting on their web site that they are interested in persuing a class action suit against citifinancial. http://www.alexanderlaw.com/citigroup/index.html

15 shelly July 15, 2005 at 7:47 am

this whole thing is so ridicules, we need a lawsuit, keep us updated. This can effect us for the rest of our lives.

16 Terri Kentucky July 18, 2005 at 5:28 am

Since I received my notification that my data was in the box that was lost, I have received numerous calls from telemarketers and scammers…even though I am on a “no call” list. I have even had people call MY PARENTS to get information about me. But the best thing of all is…I had charges crammed on my phone bill that are NOT MINE. When I try to call the company to fix this…I conveniently get cut off! I finally got a live body and they said they would credit my phone bill. After some research, I found out this company has been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for “cramming”. It is not a coincidence that this started happening after my data was lost. I NEVER had this problem before. I have always been EXTRA CAREFUL with my information. I am moritified and TERRIFIED! I have spent 30 years building good credit and protecting my data…now I stand to lose it.

17 patrick smith July 18, 2005 at 8:07 am

Please let me know any information about the class action lawsuit, if any.

thanks

18 John Brinker July 20, 2005 at 12:36 pm

This is very interesting news. I have also read that Citi Financial Mortgage has a Class Action suit against them for something else, but I cannot put my finger on it right now. If anyone knows about this please let me know as I have an issue with me.

19 Michael Bear July 20, 2005 at 9:57 pm

Selling off information is a billion dollar market today and not for a minute do I believe it was lost.

Iam considering a lawsuit soon but

if everyone would join this major undertaking filing against Citi Financial as the people and for the people we all would stand a better chance of winning.

20 Jim/Nancy Ohio July 26, 2005 at 9:45 pm

We wanted to join this discussion. We did contact a lawyer in our hometown who told us we had no case to which we told him you are crazy. It is true that this information getting into the wrong hands is something to worry about from now on. NOT just a limited time. Criminals are always at work. We had our checking account compromised right after we got the letter from CitiFinancial. We are fighting them every step of the way. They act like it is no big deal but, it did not happen to them. We are not taking this lying down. No way. Let us know about any updates.

21 bw August 10, 2005 at 11:31 pm

an extensive emailed list disclosing names, locations, position titles, AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER’S of all the employees of CitiFinancial Auto Western States Division was carelessly released by Richard Graham District Manager of CitiFinancial Auto in the Fall of 2004. He didn’t even attempt to retract the unopened emails! I was very upset because my SSN was on the list! I worked for CitiFinancial Auto in Billings MT for OVER 3 YEARS and from DAY ONE noticed their casual attitude about confidentiality, professionalism, and accountability. I think they should be held accountable with consequences. They don’t allow their customers to make excuses for late auto payments – they just send the repo truck!

22 robert t mckenzie August 19, 2005 at 11:52 am

My issue is with the way employee’s are treated. I have recently been terminated from CitifinancialMy issue is with the way employee’s are treated. I have recently been terminated from Citifinancial

23 T.M August 24, 2005 at 3:01 pm

I was also notified about the possible theft of all my personal records. I am very nervous. I spent my whole life protecting my GREAT credit rating and now in one”mistake” someone may have destroyed all my hard work. Anyone from Wisconsin starting a class action?

24 Dianna Sprenkle August 28, 2005 at 8:34 am

I definitely want to get in on any suits against citi-financial or ups. If anyone out there has got a lawyer who is willing to file suit against them and would like for me to join in please contact me by email. Thank you

25 Always Angie August 28, 2005 at 3:12 pm

P.S. Even though it’s a “car loan” per se, my husband received the letter in the mail that his information had *poof* vanished into thin air.

We’ve called just about every 800 number there is for CitiFinancial and they are all clueless about his loan. They keep telling us to call the local branch, but that b@$tard Dave is the one who cheated my husband. How is talking to him going to help us out? He keeps telling us that we owe MORE than the statements we get monthly from Corporate CitiFinancial say we owe. The statement even says the $5K isn’t a payoff and to call us, but Dave keeps insisting it IS a payoff. Paying off WHO is what I wonder?

***BUYER BEWARE! RUN FOR YOUR DAMN LIFE FROM CITIFINANCIAL!***

26 Michael Bear August 31, 2005 at 1:50 pm

I’m considering filing a class-action lawsuit against CitiFinancial. I have already sent a letter to them as well to the Attorney General’s Office in the Northern District of CA. I would highly suggest others who are caught in this scheme of theft identity to do the same in your state. With enough of us common people putting on the pressure, the attorney generals will be forced to investigate this heinous crime of 3.9 million people. If we all focus on a class-action lawsuit together, or even as separate groups, against CitiFinancial, it will expose them to their fraudulent activities. Please let me know if anyone has already filed one. I would like to join with them or have them join me. Right now I am talking to law firms to determine which one will accomplish my goal for me and others like myself. I, too, believe in my heart this is just one big scam. God Bless you all!!!!Please contact me….

27 Carla Ortego September 5, 2005 at 7:55 am

I have spent the last 2 years after a tragic loss in my family to restore my credit. I can not believe that in a split of a second that this company can ruin that. I’m in if anyone out there gets a lawsuit together. Just email me…….

28 Dan September 26, 2005 at 11:21 am

I also spoke with a law firm here in Philadelphia.

Kohn, Swift and Graf.

Their phone number is 215-238-1700.

They were recommended to me by another attorney.

Give them a call and let them know your interested in being a part of a class action suit against Citifinancial.

I told the gentlemen I spoke with of this website to show how many people were interested in a suit.

29 Former September 30, 2005 at 1:34 pm

Hi to everyone. I feel so bad for all of those involved in scandal as I would call it. I was a Citifinancial employee until this morning. I have to tell you, tonite will be my best nite’s sleep in a long time. I think alot of what Citi does is so unethical and immoral. Por people come in, in the depths of despair and we were instructed to make sure we sold insurances every loan! Increasing the premium big time! The interest rates are already formidable-add in these insurance premiums, OMG, now these people are on the never ever plan! I have battled with my conscious, and listened to them tell me how they need the money, but then why are we phoning solicitation lists and badgering people to consolidate their debt with us? These people never said they needed us. And whats more, we are somehow convincing them that they have saved money doing this??? Lord! I’ll tell u, I really had a lot of sleepless nites, and I put out lots of resume’s. In the end-I couldn’t take it anymore, I quit my job this morning, so I can know in my heart, I am not bilking people out of hard earned money! I was to go on another course next week, I couldnt think of it. I am done with this company. And just so you know, I made sure they knew why I left!

Best of Luck to all of you

30 Chassitie in Louisiana October 1, 2005 at 5:31 pm

I also went to the local branch and was told that we were not affected yet we recieved the letter and every time we called the hotline they gave us we got cut off and my credit and my husbands credit is not even being watched. Does anyone know the main offices telephone number so i can find out for sure whether or not we are affected.I too am interested in a law suit

31 pam britton October 11, 2005 at 10:39 am

my life has become a nightmare due to this company. it hurts just to repeat the name. they also lost my information. i have also been trying to find out my original loan vs what i have paid them to date. of course, i’m getting responses as to how the loan was re=newed several times and that started the loan all over. well, i feel that i wasn’t explained how this worked. i had insurance on this loan as well and have been unemployed two different times. they didn’t help me out because i was fired. i thought the insurance was supposed to help regardless. now i am facing surgery. they are not even nice about that. i have to get forms filled out by the employer and the doctor. they hound you for payments but you can’t get the answers you want. i know i have paid them way more than i have borrowed and this has been going on for years. they are making my life miserable. how can i get away from them and get them out of my life. please help.

32 Zen October 28, 2005 at 10:48 am

I got a loan from them for $6000.00 in December of 04 to pay off my bills. I sent in $400 a month and was told it would be paid off in 13 months. Yesterday I called them because its been 10 months. They told me my balance was $5860.00! SO i guess i’ve only paid $140.00. WHAT DO WE DO?

33 Ashley November 3, 2005 at 11:53 am

Has anyone heard anything about this lately??

34 keith klotz December 7, 2005 at 5:02 pm

It seems i’m not alone with regards to my frustration with Citifinancial. I took a $6000.oo loan, Paid it off in 11/05 and now they have lost those records as well…Who,s in charge anyway?

Posted by: Keith on 12/09/05

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