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For those who may have missed my earlier post

, here is the link to the NRA website to apply for the NRA affiliate credit card. If you cancel a Citi card, but sure to let them know why. I don't like what Citi/FirstData has done, but I'm more concerned that other companies will follow.

Chas.

I just emailed this to the email address in FirstData's response. It will be interesting to see if I get a response. If I do, I'll bet a dollar to a donut that no industries will be disclosed.

This was posted on an Internet forum and purports to set out Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp.â€™s policies regarding non-face-to-face transactions. This email is in response to your instructions to â€œPlease direct any questions to Questions@firstdata.com.â€?

Please identify the other industries subject to your policy, or Citi Merchant Servicesâ€™ policy, to limit sales to those made face-to-face, as set out in your response quoted below. This information will be used to verify or refute this contention so that accurate information can be disseminated on this issue.

Sincerely,

Charles L. Cotton
Cotton-Farrell, P.C.
1010 Lamar, Suite 860
Houston, TX 77002

Citi Merchants wrote:Thank you for your message. The posting at http://www.nssf.org regarding Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp. is inaccurate. Further, while we generally do not comment on individual merchant customers, we would like to briefly address the 12/26 letter posted on the web site. Regretfully, that letter did a less than satisfactory job of expressing applicable policies. Those policies are more properly detailed below.

Citi Merchant Services and First Data do process firearms transactions. Our policy restrictions address only the sale of firearms in a non face-to-face environment. Non face-to-face transactions occur when a cardholder is not present in front of a merchant and includes mail order and online purchases. It is our policy not to service merchants that make non face-to-face sales in a number of industries, including firearms.

It is not the policy of Citi Merchant Services or First Data to refuse to process transactions from duly licensed merchants that sell firearms in face-to-face transactions at the point of sale.

Please direct any questions to Questions@firstdata.com.

The posting also incorrectly states that Robert Tenenbaum is the supervisor when, in fact, he is not.

Kalrog wrote:THEY RESPONDED!!!

Thank you for your message. The posting at http://www.nssf.org regarding Citi Merchant Services and First Data Corp. is inaccurate. Further, while we generally do not comment on individual merchant customers, we would like to briefly address the 12/26 letter posted on the web site. Regretfully, that letter did a less than satisfactory job of expressing applicable policies. Those policies are more properly detailed below.

Citi Merchant Services and First Data do process firearms transactions. Our policy restrictions address only the sale of firearms in a non face-to-face environment. Non face-to-face transactions occur when a cardholder is not present in front of a merchant and includes mail order and online purchases. It is our policy not to service merchants that make non face-to-face sales in a number of industries, including firearms.

It is not the policy of Citi Merchant Services or First Data to refuse to process transactions from duly licensed merchants that sell firearms in face-to-face transactions at the point of sale.

Please direct any questions to Questions@firstdata.com.

The posting also incorrectly states that Robert Tenenbaum is the supervisor when, in fact, he is not.

I have no proof, as I don't have a Citibank credit card. However, I seriously doubt they really have a policy prohibiting any transactions that are not face-to-face. Internet and telephone credit card orders are probably the norm now and I suspect they at least equal and perhaps exceed the number of face-to-face transactions. Even gasoline purchases are not face-to-face when you pay at the pump. Yes, you are on their property, but no employee sees the name on the credit card, much less verifying that the correct person is using it.

I realize they are not claiming to have a company wide policy to that effect, but only for certain industries including firearms. It is my opinion this is false and published solely in an attempt to avoid a backlash from customers. If it were true, why not identify the other "industries" effected, since doing so would not identify any specific merchants?

Chas.

I seriously doubt anyone with the Citi group is going to confirm this. I have called the woman listed in NSSF's post and cannot get past her voicemail. It's hardly in their interest to publicize this and incur the wrath of the entire shooting industry. I'm sure their corporate counsel would instruct them not to make any comment.

I think there is sufficient evidence to prove Citi/First Data has in fact terminated it's relationship with CDNN. The termination letter has been made public; National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has publicized the "event," CDNN's sales manager has confirmed this with me, and Citi group tried to do this in 2000, but relented because of pressure from the shooting industry and customers.

Chas.

What better way to show First Data/Citi group of your displeasure than to cancel your cards with them and get a credit card through the NRA affinity program? If you are interested, follow this link: http://www.nraaccounts.com/nra/index.jsp

Chas.

I just spoke to someone at CDNN. He could not comment beyond confirming that this termination letter is true. He also authorized me to post this information.

Chas.

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