The NSSF reports that Citicorp’s Merchant Services Division is refusing to process gun-related customer credit-card sales. This applies both to legal firearms transactions conducted through licensed FFLs as well as ordinary sales of firearms accessories. The first company to be affected by this decision appears to be firearms distributor CDNN Sports, a large retail operation based in Texas. Citi Merchant Services and First Data notified CDNN that its merchant services account would be terminated and funds seized. (Citicorp Merchant Services employs First Data Merchant Services Corporation to handle credit card transactions.)
Charlie Crawford, president of CDNN Sports Inc., explained: “We were contacted recently by First Data/Citi Merchant Services by a June Rivera-Mantilla stating that we were terminated and funds were being seized for selling firearms in a non-face-to-face transaction. Although perfectly legal, we were also informed that no transactions would be processed in the future, even for non-firearms.”
If you have a Citigroup credit card, or use Citibank for your banking services, you may want to consider shifting your accounts to another financial services provider — and be sure you tell the Citibank representatives why you are making the shift. If gun owners act in solidarity, other credit card companies may think twice about following Citigroup’s lead in refusing to handle gun transactions. To voice your concern to Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp. directly, you can contact June Rivera-Mantilla at 631-683-7734 or Robert Tenenbaum at 631-683-6570.
If you run a firearms-related business and wish to shift to an NSSF-affiliated credit card processing program, contact Payment Alliance International at 1-866-371-2273 (ext. 1131).
Merchant Services by a June Rivera-Mantilla stating that we were terminated and funds were being seized for selling firearms in a non-face-to-face . and it is a person that know all of the laws. Plus takes someone money (that is called STEALING.
Comment by D.Miller — January 8, 2008 @ 7 pm
Citicorp will be easy to live without. And after they go broke because of really stupid management decisions, the country will be able to live just fine without them too. Good bye, good riddance. d
Comment by lambbite — January 8, 2008 @ 9 pm
I called them,and Robert Tenenbaum wasn’t entirely happy to hear of my making a point of their disgusting business practices,he also asserted that if I gave them my email address he’ed be sure to send the company response to this(I told him,”dont bother you have nothing I need to hear.”)
I broke the phone call with telling them I wont use them anymore and will be HAPPY to kill my present accounts with them.
CDNN,has sold me some excellent deals and were very decent folks to deal with,their products were excellent,and the shipping fast and courtious,they do not deserve this kind of treatment.
Comment by Mike Dillemuth — January 8, 2008 @ 10 pm
Thanks for the hesds up!! I will cancel any acounts immeadiatly
Comment by mike rundquist — January 8, 2008 @ 10 pm
This makes me VERY happy that I closed my account with them 2 months ago. They keep trying to get me back. Now I have a definitive answer for them.
Comment by Matt P — January 9, 2008 @ 11 am
Why are they doing this? It seems that a person could just
have the money transfered to a savings account and use a debit
card to make the transaction. I wonder if it’s because Citi
is in worse trouble than it’s letting on.
Comment by Warren — January 9, 2008 @ 11 am
No good business that is within the law, like CDNN Sports Inc., should be strong armed by any other for lawful transactions! Citicorp will no longer have my business.
Comment by Norman Parmley — January 9, 2008 @ 12 pm
This may be a requirement from the foreign banks which are loaning Citicorp money to stay afloat.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml;jsessionid=OJ1POPXOINXWXQFIQMGCFGGAVCBQUIV0?xml=/money/2008/01/07/ccview107.xml
Comment by hard2doover — January 9, 2008 @ 12 pm
I sent them an email asking their position and let them know my future business can easily be conducted with different financial institutions. Have not got a reply yet!
Comment by L. Miller — January 9, 2008 @ 12 pm
Folks,
Just like the veterans disarmament act, these multi national banks and corporations are trying to disarm the American public..Now all the sudden the supreme court is going to decide wether you are allowed to own a firearm according to the 2nd ammendement… time to stop this BS.. VOTE FOR RON PAUL HE IS THIS COUNTRIES LAST HOPE!
Comment by brad — January 9, 2008 @ 1 pm
Citi Group is in deep financial doo doo before this latest stupid move.
Jason
Comment by Jason — January 9, 2008 @ 2 pm
Citigroup to Take $16 Billion Writedown, Merrill Says
http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aqYaLg9W6sv8&refer=worldwide
Jason
Comment by Jason — January 9, 2008 @ 2 pm
We have routed all are purchases thru a Citibank Visa card. We will cancel this card immediately.
Comment by Steve — January 9, 2008 @ 3 pm
Please post citiBank contact information. Names, emails, phone numbers, etc.
Comment by Art — January 9, 2008 @ 3 pm
I have 3 Citibank accounts, or should I say HAD. I cancelled all of them and will no longer do any business with Citibank
Comment by Ray — January 9, 2008 @ 5 pm
I’m a Law Enforcement Officer and have been for a long time. I’ve purchased from CDNN before and will again because of great service. I’m sure they have already done so but if not they should contact their attorney. I don’t see how citibank could legally seize their funds when they have not violated any law. Remember if it can happen to them it can happen to anyone. Like Brad said “VOTE FOR RON PAUL” or this Nation will not survive the problems we are now facing! This is just another example of the mindset of big corporations and stupid politicians.
Comment by Tracy — January 9, 2008 @ 6 pm
>The NSSF reports that Citicorp’s Merchant Services Division is refusing to process gun-related customer credit-card sales. This applies both to legal firearms transactions conducted through licensed FFLs as well as ordinary sales of firearms accessories.<
Although I have never conducted a non face-to-face purchase of a firearm I see no reason why I should not be able to do so after proving my identy and going through the normal background check. What’s this nonsense about accessories? Bullits? Scopes? Cleaning patches?
Comment by Martin A. Noyes — January 9, 2008 @ 8 pm
I get a solicitation every month from CITI Corp telling me I am pre-approved
for their credit card. I have just been throwing their mailing piece away. Now
I will use their post-paid envelop to tell them why I could never use them as
my financial service institution.
Thanks for publicizing this sorry un-American behavior.
Bruce
Comment by Bruce H. Smith — January 9, 2008 @ 8 pm
Why don’t people start SUING these corporations?
Comment by Kimmer — January 9, 2008 @ 8 pm
constitution? what constitution ?guess maybe our illustrious(?) pres was right when he called it “just a God -d—-ed piece of paper.” what are all our G.I.’s fighting and dying for. and what do all our public officials swear to uphold and defend? and do any of us have enough cojones to say like our fore fathers that liberty IS worth fighting and dying or risking prison for? guess the results of the upcoming elections and or our reactions to ,or acceptance of will show.
Comment by d. mccarn — January 9, 2008 @ 10 pm
I hope Citicorp goes bankrupt, and I believe it will. They richly deserve it for their idiotic investment strategies and refusal to honor their contracts with law-abiding people selling and buying firearms!!!
Comment by Walter Kujawa — January 9, 2008 @ 11 pm
citi group sucks in service anyway. Now I have even more reason to say “Relation Terminated”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ciao, pitty citi!
Comment by Bill rodway — January 10, 2008 @ 4 am
when the manure hits the fan,take cover,citicorp,you are precisely some people will go after for your shitty business practices.
Comment by HHN — January 10, 2008 @ 5 am
Sorry guys, Ron Paul will not save you. Try Fred Thompson. He has been a staunch federalist, and supporter of the 2nd Amendment rights of the individual citizen. And unlike Ron Paul, he doenst mix with racists, anti-semites, 9/11 truthers, and other assorted nutbags. “The Second Amendment means what it says: the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” (Fred THompson).
I suggest CDNN get a lawyer and a restraining order, pronto.
Comment by W Carter — January 10, 2008 @ 6 am
And this is yet another reason to force Americans into a cashless society!
The agenda should become clear to many more Americans today with this NAZI-like tactic!
Destroy all of your Credit Cards, and go to Cash, for the transactions from now on!
Comment by tgvas — January 10, 2008 @ 8 am
I never wanted an account with them. Now , I defieniatley do not want anything to do with those morons ………..
Comment by Sonny — January 10, 2008 @ 9 am
Interesting that shortly after some Islamic interests buy into Citicorp that they ban gun transactions. No doubt that as they buy into more US banks we will see more of this. Fifth Column incrementalism at work.
Comment by G'Kar — January 10, 2008 @ 10 am
Well if Citi bank will say they can block one kind of transaction what other types of products will they say they will not allow customers to buy? No, no, they have totally overstepped thier authority as a bank. It is not a bank’s job to censor what people in general buy…that is unless it is clearly against established law. And NO Bank, has the authority to seize assets of a customer because they don’t like what that customer is selling. It is time for the Treasury Department to become involved in this bank and find out just where they get off dictating what business they are going to process accounts for. Yes we have serious problems in this country and unless we as citizens step up and say “ENOUGH!” This kind of crap is going to escalate! And yes I say vote for Ron Paul, I sure don’t see any OTHER candidate who is going to deal with this kind of thing. Do you?
Comment by Rodney Burke — January 10, 2008 @ 10 am
Thank goodness I shred their offers of credit cards and the like. I have always been an avid shooter and come from a family of people who hunt, this kind of thing is ridiculous!! Between this and the nonsense of “gun control” what is this country coming to?? Like another poster said, what are our Soldiers and Marines fighting for?? I know what I fought for when I was in.
Comment by Laura Williams — January 10, 2008 @ 10 am
Guess Citicorp needs a distraction, so they’re causing an uproar — they should choose a better red herring.
Comment by m martin — January 10, 2008 @ 11 am
Interesting. I just found this site via google while trying to see if this had worked into any regular newspapers yet.
Citibank has had pretty corrupt practices for a while, in terms of how they treat regular account holders with fees and low interest rates. I also noticed that recently they added restrictions on how much money someone could withdraw from their account in one day. Although, maybe this is normal. http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2008/01/03/2008-01-03_citibank_limits_atm_cash_in_city-2.html
Comment by Hartmut — January 10, 2008 @ 11 am
I am selling all my Citigroup Inc. stock and using it to purchase SWHC (Smith and Wesson). I suggest everyone do similar.
Comment by Alan — January 10, 2008 @ 12 pm
CDNN is correct, CitiCorp is completely out of bounds. CDNN ships to an FFL for transfer, not to the recipient. That satisfies all GCA requirements. I hope CDNN wins a massive settlement against CitiGroup for breach of contract. There’s no law violation at all.
Comment by what this — January 10, 2008 @ 1 pm
When I had my FFL, I had nothing but great dealings with CDNN. They are a law abiding respectable supplier.
I also have a decent balance with Citi on my personal card. I plan to transfer that balance to another card and promptly CANCEL MY CITI ACCOUNT. I will gladly tell them WHY!!!
Comment by Phil — January 10, 2008 @ 2 pm
When will yahoo, netscape, etc… stop allowing gun related web-sites in their search engines. It’s just a matter of time. The greatest secret in the world today is the fact that we have already lost our country…..we’re not losing it, it’s already gone. Everybody in the world seems to realize this except us. Maybe were to busy working to provide for our families and other peoples families on welfare, but make no mistake about it, it’s gone. I’ve known only comfort my whole life in this country, but that comfort will soon vanish and we will be forced to get back to the basics and start becoming self reliant again, I’m actually sort of looking foward to it. Pay off your debts as soon as you can, and shred those evil cards. They have made a fool of all of us, by tempting us to live beyond our means.
Comment by alex — January 10, 2008 @ 10 pm
CITI,Sucks!
Comment by sol budinski — January 10, 2008 @ 11 pm
This is all about freedom right? What about citi’s freedom to not do business with a company that it feels could become a liability risk to them? Could it be that citi is worried about identity thieves getting access to guns and comitting more crimes? Read the letter, it says nothing about not doing business with all firearms companies, just this one.
Comment by nina — January 11, 2008 @ 3 am
Already terminated my accounts with them for other less then intellegent activity.
Comment by Harvie Beavers — January 11, 2008 @ 2 pm
I was boycotting them from years agi and cannot remember why, but here is a new reason! Fascist left=wing, progressive, liberal, socialist commie bastards!!!
Good news, CDNN will sue and win!
Comment by Brian Bonner — January 11, 2008 @ 8 pm
These same type of people attemped to cancel Christmas a few years ago & the people [convinced them to do otherwise]. I don’t have a citi bank card & never will. Interesting that shortly after some Islamic interests buy into Citicorp, (by G’kar), they try to pull the same with gun control. Shove it up their *** again
Comment by Ellwood — January 13, 2008 @ 8 am
Only Ron Paul has a 30+ year RECORD of upholding the Constitution. Paul’s postition on gun control is to use both hands.
Only Dr. Paul talks the talk and walks the walk. Yes, pay down your debt’s or plan to owe the banks so much they can’t afford to call in your loan. If you can manage a real hyperinflationary hedge, wait, and payoff your paper debt with much cheaper paper units. Read about the hyperinflations in France (1790s) and Germany (1920s); both set the stage for hyper-dictators to “restore order.” The value destroyed middle classes jumped on both bandwagons and sent their children to kill and be killed. We are still living in the historical aftermath, but we don’t have to live this way or send our children to kill other’s children. STOP! THINK! Accept responsibility for the government that is acting in your name and is spending your blood and treasure. Vote Ron Paul, President 2008.
Comment by Jim Lorenz — January 14, 2008 @ 3 pm
This looks a Darwin award to me- Citicorp buries itself through their own transaction policies.
Comment by Brian Powell — January 16, 2008 @ 3 am
What a crock. Now the terorists are the owners of a credit card company. Whats next they buy McDonalds and poision our food! Every one ban citicorp. I have a shotgun and a pitbull and I will use both to protect my familly and my fredoom. WTF is the world comming to.
Comment by patrick coughlin — January 16, 2008 @ 7 pm
I also get Citi Corp credit card offers weekly and I can’t be the only one. I will also start using their pre-paid envelopes to send them notes detailing why I will not become their customer. I bet I get 5 a month * 12 is 60 notes just from me alone. If we got 100 folks to do the same we could make an impact.
Also on a positive note I have an MBNA “Second Amendment Foundation” Mastercard. They give so much of a percentage to SAF. If you want to check it out here is a link… http://www.saf.org/default.asp?p=creditcard
Comment by Rickie — January 16, 2008 @ 9 pm
Oh also…does anyone know what other companies are part of Citi Corp? Citibank is pretty obvious but these credit card companies own so many other companies.
Comment by Rickie — January 16, 2008 @ 9 pm
Plenty of Citi credit for gambling and titty bars though! ATM’s all around!
Comment by Jack — January 18, 2008 @ 1 am
What we should do is load up on citi cards, don’t use them until an ecomomic crash is certain then max them out and ignore repayment.
Comment by nappy — January 18, 2008 @ 10 am
International or Central Bankers, have been our worst enemy since 1900 or so. WAKE UP you sheep.
Ron Paul 2008
Comment by Walter — January 18, 2008 @ 1 pm
More classic incrementalism, they start with mandatory insurance and selt belt laws and progress to not allowing you to pay for something that is supposed to be legal, soon it progresses to you’re living in a little cage just consuming and paying taxes.
Comment by Les Blenkhorn — January 30, 2008 @ 3 am
Well I will be sure to pass this info about Citi Corp. along, and as far and as wide as I can. Including Radio talk shows that I do.
Comment by Arlene — January 30, 2008 @ 4 am
i WILL CANCEL BOTH MY ACCOUNTS.
Comment by DAN — January 30, 2008 @ 9 am
I closed my account several years ago with a credit line of 19 plus K$. I did this
because of their predatory practices of increasing rates and the most obnoxious
Customer Service organization I’ve ever tried to deal with. I now receive at least
two letters a week offering a credit card at a rate lower than when I had an open
account…I believe this is called “Bait and Switch”. Unfortunately, no one in
our dysfunctional goverment cares about their business practices. I now notice that Exxonmobile has contracted Citibank to handle their credit card services for
purchases at the pump. Having an account with Mobil (now exxonmobile) since 1968
it will now force me to use cash or another credit card or switch gas stations to
eliminate having to deal with this corrupt financial group.
Comment by Don Jennett — January 31, 2008 @ 9 am
Oh, my gosh, another anti-American, anti-Second Amendment bank. Will wonders never cease? I cancelled eight of my Bank of America accounts that I have had for 20+ years because it feels illegal aliens should receive visa cards and mortgages before Americans are even considered! I declined a Citi card just a couple of weeks ago for other reasons….but this is the best one.
I already voted for Ron Paul! If we could only wake up Americans to the Council on Foreign Relations which is the organization that is really controlling this country…..Ron Paul is the only current presidential candidate who is not a member. YouTube the CFR–Secret Government and watch the truth unfold….FREEDOM IS WORTH FIGHTING FOR AND LIBERTY IS NOT FREE!! stephanie
Comment by stephanie harris — February 1, 2008 @ 4 pm
Hmmmm…..Citi sent me a visa card about three weeks ago. I declined, and now I know that my instincts were right on! I closed eight BofA accounts because it gave illegal aliens visa cards and mortgages. Where do we go from here? Alex says our country is gone. Maybe we’ve lost some battles, but we have not yet lost the war or our country completely. Vote Ron Paul, who is NOT a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (like every other candidate is).
stephanie
Comment by stephanie harris — February 1, 2008 @ 5 pm
What would happen if we just refused to pay Citibank one red cent instead of moving our accounts?
Dunno, but it’s worth contemplating. No firearms transactions, no payments. No return of funds to CDNN, no payments. No adherence to the Constitution, no payments.
Since Citibank can unilaterally seize funds without due process, why can’t we collectively do the same to them?
Comment by s middleton — February 18, 2008 @ 11 am
Comment #16 by Tracy makes a lot of sense to me. Citicorp may be within its rights to refuse to process certain transactions, but seizing the funds due to merchants is pure and simple theft. The money may be subject to forfeiture if it is the proceeds of an illegal transaction, but that is a decision for a Court to make in a proceeding where evidence must be presented and is subject to rebuttal and cross examination. Since City is seizing funds that relate to an interstate commerce transaction, there may be a federal as well as a state theft law that has been violated. If the facts are as the merchant alleges, and I have no reason to doubt them, the merchant should demand in writing an immediate wire transfer of the seized funds with interest from the date of taking. Allow 48 hours for the transfer and if it is not received, consult an attorney and file the appropriate criminal charges. Make no threat or mention of criminal action in any conversation with City or any of its agents,as that may be deemed an improper effort at extortion. Just make an unconditionmal demand for the funds.
P.S. I am cancelling all my citibank accounts.
Comment by William Garland — February 18, 2008 @ 12 pm
Not only did I cancel my citibank card, but I’ll be checking my others to see what their policy is.
These people no longer get the privilege of my business.
Comment by Chuck Feney — February 19, 2008 @ 5 pm
Citbank refuses to let you buy an automatic weapon with their credit card over the phone? How outrageous! Seriously folks, Citibank is still happy to take your money for that precious handgun or Uzi, you just have to do it in person! That doesn’t seem so wacked to me.
If I’m selling a handgun, at the very least, I should know for sure who I’m selling it to.
Comment by Douglas Greene — February 20, 2008 @ 9 am
The merchant agreement the company signed specifically allows the credit card company to seize all funds at any time without cause and without merchant recourse. This was among many grossly objectionable clauses my small Santa Rosa company was required to accept when my local bank changed credit card processors. The bank said it was a new national contract used by all credit card processors. Other clauses included allowing them to seize all money in all personal and business accounts and preventing me from suing them even in the case of gross, intentional misconduct.
Fortunately my contracting business did not need to take credit cards. I offered to accept them as a service to my customers who loved to get mileage, etc. on large dollar transactions. I canceled my merchant account, but few businesses can afford to do that. Fewer still have read the agreement, IMHO, and fewer would dare to object or make the contract terms public.
Although this occurred more than five years ago. I doubt the credit card company terms have improved.
Comment by John Lerch — February 20, 2008 @ 12 pm
This does not sound right to me— I just purchased 2 revolvers last month from a gun shop and used my Citi card. NO problems, no questions, no feedback from anyone yet. I am sure that the gun store would have contacted me if they had any problems getting their money, and as far as I go, no one from any agency has shown up at my door asking questions about that or any of the other half dozen gun purchases I have made in the past couple of years—-yep- used credit cards for all of them too- though not always Citi cards.
Comment by Robert Davy — February 20, 2008 @ 1 pm
Thank you #37!!
There’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye. Citibank refuses to do business with one gun dealer (they won’t process a payment for a pair of socks for this retailer, let alone a handgun) and all of a sudden everyone is screaming about a conspiracy and gun control.
You can still go into nearly any gun dealer in the Unites States of America, including mass retailers like K-Mart, Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shop, and buy ammo and guns using the Citibank Credit Card. Citibank has absolutely no idea, or interest, in what you are buying…they are just processing a payment.
And to me, it only seems like common sense to know who you are selling a gun to.
Comment by Douglas Greene — February 20, 2008 @ 2 pm
I work for a credit card processing company. Electronic Merchant Systems,a national merchant provider, operating in over 100 US Cities. Our corporate office is located in Independence Ohio. I welcome the opportunity to help any merchant/ web site wanting to change merchant service/ credit card providers. We offer competive rates and can do a free rate review for you. If you or anyone you know would like information on changing processors,I can be contacted at dcarll@emscorporate.net.
Comment by Debi Carll — February 22, 2008 @ 2 pm
#62. Nice shot!!! Ten ring all the way!!!
Comment by Tracy — February 25, 2008 @ 9 pm
I purchased a firearm from Bangersusa Feb 26 with a citibank visa. This is the first that I have heard of this company being a gun hater. I am a registered FFL and this is news to me. I will inquire to the company if this is true, and if the information is correct I will close accounts when other credit sources are availiable. Thanks for the heads up this news to me!
Comment by Wilder Kirkland — March 2, 2008 @ 7 pm
In response to #28 response above by Rodney Burke suggesting to get the Treasury Dept involved…..they may well already be involved….they may be behind this action. Feds considering taking over Citibank and USBank. Our 2nd Ammendent rights are going to be attacked from every angle. While Islamic extremeists are sworn to destroy our way of life, there are Liberals/Socialists sworn to destroy our freedom and liberty…..and they are inside our perimeter!!!! While we have our eye on the obvious extremists, our internal extremists will sucker punch our freedom and way of life. The Obama administration hasn’t even begun to attack our freedoms yet. They are crushing our financial structure, the values that made this country great (person responsibility, self sufficiency, reward for hard work/risk taking, freedom of choice,…), creating a “Fish for a day” versus “Learn to fish” mentality….Shackles for Scheckles. America won’t fall from external aggression (that only distracts us), we will fall from within. Read Wayne LaPierre’s “The Global War on Your Guns….Inside the U.N. Plan to Destroy the Bill of Rights” Encourage all you know to join/support the NRA….the fight is on!!!!
Comment by Jim Hollis — February 22, 2009 @ 10 am