Recently, a consumer trying to access cash via his Citibank ATM card in Canada experienced a locked bank account and declined transaction. Upon contacting the bank, he learned that there has been alleged fraudulent activity on Citibank cards in the UK, Russia, and Canada. Currently, Citibank has blocked all ATM card activity outside of the U.S.
Citibank's Response: "Recently, we became aware of fraudulent ATM cash withdrawls on Citi-branded MasterCard credit and debit cards used in the UK, Russia and Canada on customer accounts that had been possibly compromised in previous retailer breaches in the US. To protect customer accounts that were affected, we placed a special transaction block in those three countries on PIN based transactions. We are currently reissuing cards, as appropriate, to affected customers. Protecting our customers' accounts and personal information is one of our highest priorities."
To further complicate the problem and frustrate customers abroad, Citibank has allegedly stated that customers wanting to use their bank cards outside of the U.S. would need to return to the United States and issue a new PIN number. The extent of this fraudulent activity is unknown.
